Name of the Writer
R.K Laxman
SUMMARY
“Iswaran the Storyteller” is a short story by R.K. Narayan that revolves around the life of Mahendra, a junior supervisor in a firm, who is accompanied by his cook, Iswaran, wherever he goes. Iswaran is not only a great cook but also an excellent storyteller. He often narrates stories about elephants, Tamil thrillers, and ghosts to his master.
One of the most intriguing stories narrated by Iswaran is about a mad elephant that enters a school ground where children were playing. Iswaran, as a little boy, paralyzes the elephant’s nervous system by hitting its third toe nail with a rod. Iswaran’s storytelling skills and vivid imagination leave Mahendra amazed, and he listens to his stories patiently without finding any loopholes.
On one full-moon night, Iswaran talks about ghosts, and Mahendra gets scared when he hears about the spirit Iswaran had seen on a previous night. Iswaran tells Mahendra that the place they were living in was once a burial ground, and he had seen the ghost carrying an unborn baby in her arms. The fear grips Mahendra so tightly that he hears a crying sound of a woman outside his window while he is sleeping. The next morning, he is too frightened to let Iswaran complete his conversation and decides to leave the place the very next day.
The story highlights the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on our minds. Iswaran’s stories are not only entertaining but also leave a deep impression on Mahendra. His storytelling skills not only entertain but also educate and enlighten Mahendra.
The story also touches on the subject of fear and the way it can grip our minds and make us do things that we would not have otherwise done. Mahendra’s fear of ghosts makes him leave the place he is living in, without giving it a second thought. Fear can be paralyzing, and it is important to overcome it to make rational decisions.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, “Iswaran the Storyteller” is an interesting story that highlights the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on our minds. Iswaran’s storytelling skills not only entertain but also educate and enlighten Mahendra. The story also touches on the subject of fear and the way it can grip our minds and make us do things that we would not have otherwise done. It is a reminder that we should not let our fears control us and that we should make rational decisions.
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