ISWARAN THE STORYTELLER - Q&A

THINK ABOUT IT

1. In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?
Answer:
Iswaran is a significant asset to Mahendra because of his dedication and versatile skills:
1. Cook and Caretaker: He cooks for Mahendra, washes his clothes, and takes care of his needs without any complaints, regardless of where they are posted.
2. Resourcefulness: He has an amazing capacity to produce vegetables and cooking ingredients seemingly out of nowhere, even in desolate landscapes.
3. Companionship: He chats with Mahendra at night, keeping him company.
4. Entertainment: He is a gifted storyteller who weaves endless stories and anecdotes, serving as a source of entertainment for Mahendra.

2. How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create in his listeners?
Answer:
Description: Instead of simply saying he saw an uprooted tree, Iswaran describes it dramatically. He says the road was deserted and he was all alone. Suddenly, he spotted something that looked like an enormous bushy beast lying sprawled across the road. He was half inclined to turn back, but as he got closer, he saw it was a fallen tree with its dry branches spread out.

Effect: He wants to create an atmosphere of suspense and surprise. By building up the tension and describing a "beast" first, he engages the listener's imagination and makes a simple event sound extraordinary and thrilling.

3. How does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be plausible?
Answer:
Narration: Iswaran narrates the story of the tusker with great theatricality. He starts with a prologue about timber and elephants. He describes the elephant going mad, breaking fences, smashing stalls, and entering the school ground. He claims that while everyone fled in fear, he (then a junior student) grabbed a cane, moved towards the elephant, and whacked its third toenail, causing the beast to collapse.

Plausibility: The story does not appear to be plausible. It is highly unlikely that a small child could control a mad elephant simply by hitting its toenail. Iswaran likely exaggerated the event or picked up the idea from the karate or jujitsu books he read.

4. Why does the author say that Iswaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a TV in Mahendra's living quarters?
Answer:
The author says this because Iswaran provided constant entertainment, much like a television. He would recount thrilling stories packed with adventure, horror, and suspense every day. His narrative style was so engaging and dramatic—complete with gestures and sound effects—that Mahendra enjoyed listening to them immensely, removing the need for any other form of entertainment like a TV.

5. Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full-moon night?
Answer:
On a full-moon night, Mahendra is woken up by a low moan close to his window. At first, he thinks it is a cat prowling for mice. However, the sound becomes too deep and guttural for a cat. Although he resists looking out to avoid seeing something frightening, he eventually peers out. He sees a dark cloudy form clutching a bundle—matching Iswaran's description of the female ghost. He breaks into a cold sweat and falls back on his pillow, panting in fear, realizing that what he saw might not just be his imagination.

6. Can you think of some other ending for the story?
Answer:
(This is an open-ended question. Here is a possible alternative ending):
Instead of resigning and leaving in fear, Mahendra could have decided to investigate the "ghost" boldly the next morning. He might have discovered that Iswaran, knowing his master's fear, was playing a prank or making the sounds himself to prove his story true. Mahendra would then confront Iswaran, scolding him for his pranks but perhaps laughing it off later, realizing the "ghost" was just another one of Iswaran's dramatic creations.

TALK ABOUT IT

Is Iswaran a fascinating storyteller? Discuss with your friends the qualities of a good storyteller. Try to use these qualities and tell a story.
Answer:
Yes, Iswaran is undoubtedly a fascinating storyteller. He has the ability to keep his listeners glued to his words.

Qualities of a good storyteller (based on Iswaran):
1. Voice Modulation: Changing tone and pitch to suit the characters and mood (scary, funny, exciting).
2. Body Language: Using eyes, hands, and facial expressions to act out parts of the story.
3. Suspense Building: Not revealing the climax immediately but building up to it slowly to increase curiosity.
4. Imaginative Descriptions: Using strong descriptive words so the listener can visualize the scene (e.g., "enormous bushy beast" instead of "tree").
5. Confidence: Narrating with conviction, making even the impossible sound believable.