In what way is Ishwaran an asset to Mahendra?
Ishwaran followed Mahendra wherever he went uncomplainingly. He did various chores for him like cooking, washing his clothes etc. Most importantly, Ishwaran chatted away with his master at night. Ishwaran had the skill of narrating stories on varied subjects. He more than made up for the absence of a TV in Mahendra’s quarters. He could produce and prepare delicious meals even in a desolate place.
How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create on his listeners?
Iswaran had the skill of narrating stories and anecdotes in such a way that he would create suspense even in the smallest incidents. While describing the uprooted tree on the highway he arched his eyebrows and held out his hands in a dramatic gesture. He told that he was all alone on a deserted road when he suddenly saw something like an enormous bushy beast lying across the road but it was only when he went closer to it that he realised that it was a fallen tree. He wanted to create a sense of suspense and surprise.
How does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be plausible?
One day, Iswaran narrated an anecdote involving an elephant. He narrated the Tusker’s escape from the timber yard in such excitement that he jumped and stamped his feet in emulation of the mad elephant. He told that the elephant reached the outskirts of the town and broke down fences, smashed various stalls, entered a school ground and smashed the football goal post and created a mess all around.
The story does not appear to be plausible.
Why does the Author say that Iswaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a T.V. in Mahendra’s living quarters?
Iswaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a T.V. in Mahendra’s living quarters because he provided a very good company to Mahendra. He chatted with Mahendra at night. He had the skill of narrating stories and anecdotes with such realism and suspense that Mahendra enjoyed listening to whatever he narrated. He told stories packed with adventure, horror and suspense. This skill made the author compare Ishwaran with a TV.
Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full-moon night? (CBSE SA-I, 2011)
Once, Ishwaran told Mahendra about a horrible ghost of a woman which appeared on and off at midnight during the full moon. He explained her as an ugly creature which held a foetus in her arms. Mahendra called this a figment of Ishwaran’s imagination.
On one full moon night, he woke up to a low moan close to his window. He broke into a cold sweat when he saw a dark cloudy form clutching a bundle. After recovering from this experience, he thought it must have been a trick played by his subconscious mind.
Can you think of some other ending for the story?
The story could end in a scene in which Mahendra would come to know that it was none other than Iswaran who had tried to scare Mahendra that night by making all those noises.
Is Ishwaran a fascinating storyteller?
Discuss with your friends the qualities of a good story teller? Try to use these qualities and tell a story?
Ishwaran was not only a fascinating storyteller but also a great dramatist. He would add a great suspense and surprise to his story with his expressions.
Some qualities of a good storyteller are:
(i) keeping the audience engaged in the story
(ii) using gestures to bring out a more realistic effect
(iii) putting the audience in thrall.
(iv) being able to narrate different genres
(v) using innovative styles for narrating stories