Iswaran the Storyteller
Notes, Summary, and Study Material
📑 Table of Contents
📖 Summary
“Iswaran the Storyteller” by R.K. Laxman is an engaging tale that highlights the power of imagination, storytelling, and superstition. The story is narrated by Ganesh, who recalls the experiences of his friend Mahendra, a junior supervisor at a construction firm. Mahendra was a simple bachelor whose job required him to frequently shift from one worksite to another, such as coal mines, factories, bridges, and construction sites. Despite the challenging and isolated nature of his postings, he managed to live comfortably because of his loyal companion and cook, Iswaran.
Iswaran was not just a cook but also an excellent storyteller with a flair for dramatic narration. He looked after Mahendra’s needs, cooking, washing clothes, and ensuring he was comfortable in the makeshift shelters or huts they lived in. In his free time, Iswaran loved reading popular Tamil thrillers, which influenced his narrative style. Even small incidents were described by him with such exaggeration, suspense, and theatrical gestures that they left Mahendra completely absorbed and entertained. His ability to build up suspense and provide surprise endings made even ordinary events sound extraordinary.
One of his most memorable stories was about a mad elephant. Iswaran narrated how a tusker once escaped from a timber yard, went on a rampage, and entered a school. The elephant destroyed stalls, uprooted trees, and created panic. While everyone hid in fear, Iswaran, then a schoolboy, bravely confronted the elephant. He struck the animal on its toenail using a martial art technique, claiming it was something like karate or ju-jitsu. Astonishingly, the elephant collapsed, and the situation was brought under control. Whether this story was true or exaggerated remained questionable, but Mahendra enjoyed it because of the way Iswaran narrated it.
Apart from adventurous tales, Iswaran also loved narrating supernatural stories. One evening, after serving a sumptuous dinner, he told Mahendra about the place they were living in. According to him, it was once a burial ground. He added eerie details, claiming that he often saw bones, skulls, and even ghosts in the area. He described a horrifying female ghost with disheveled hair, sunken eyes, and a foetus in her arms, who supposedly appeared on full moon nights. Mahendra scolded Iswaran for talking nonsense and dismissed ghosts as a figment of his imagination.
However, Iswaran’s story left a lasting impression on Mahendra’s mind. Though he tried to act rational, he began to feel uneasy at night, especially on full moon days. He avoided looking out of his window at night for fear of seeing something unusual. Despite his practical nature, superstition started creeping into his thoughts.
One night, Mahendra was woken up by a low moaning sound. At first, he thought it was a cat, but the sound grew louder and more disturbing. Unable to resist his curiosity, he looked out of the window and saw a dark figure resembling a woman holding a bundle. Terrified, he broke into a sweat and fell back onto his bed. Later, he tried to rationalize it as a trick of his mind, perhaps influenced by Iswaran’s story.
The next morning, Iswaran cheerfully reminded Mahendra about the ghost, slyly suggesting that he had indeed seen it the previous night. This was the final blow to Mahendra’s courage. Deeply disturbed and shaken, he resigned from his job and decided to leave the place immediately.
The story not only shows the power of storytelling but also demonstrates how imagination and superstition can influence even the most rational minds. Through Iswaran’s character, R.K. Laxman portrays how stories can be both entertaining and frightening, and how fear of the unknown often gets the better of humans. The humorous and suspenseful narrative style makes this story both engaging and thought-provoking for readers.
👤 Character Sketches
- Iswaran – Loyal, multi-talented, expert storyteller, imaginative, sometimes superstitious, yet brave.
- Mahendra – Simple, bachelor, adaptable supervisor. Logical but influenced by fear and superstition.
🌟 Themes
- Power of Imagination & Storytelling
- Superstition vs. Rationality
- Loyalty & Companionship
- Fear of the Unknown
🎯 Moral / Message
Stories and imagination can shape our reality. Even rational people may fall prey to fear and superstition. The story also shows the importance of companionship and loyalty in life.
📌 Important Question-Answers
Q1. Who was Mahendra and what was his job?
👉 Mahendra was a junior supervisor at construction sites. His duty was to oversee work and he had to move often.
Q2. Describe Iswaran’s storytelling style.
👉 He narrated even small incidents with drama, suspense, and surprise endings, leaving listeners spellbound.
Q3. What was Iswaran’s story about the elephant?
👉 He narrated how a mad elephant created havoc and how he subdued it by striking its toenail using a martial art technique.
Q4. Why did Mahendra decide to leave the place?
👉 After experiencing a ghostly figure outside his window, he was horrified and resigned the next day.
✨ Quick Revision Points
- Author: R.K. Laxman
- Main Characters: Iswaran, Mahendra
- Key Incidents: Elephant story, Ghost story, Mahendra’s ghostly encounter
- Message: Power of storytelling, fear of superstition