Summary (Ishwaran the Storyteller)
Mahendra is a bachelor with simple needs who is able to adjust to different living conditions. He is accompanied by his cook, Iswaran, who follows him wherever he is posted. Iswaran is able to produce delicious dishes with fresh ingredients and tells stories to Mahendra at night. He is influenced by the Tamil authors he reads and incorporates suspense and surprise endings into his own accounts. One of the stories he tells is about a wild elephant that escapes from a timber yard and causes chaos in a town. Iswaran was a junior student at the time and observed the incident from the rooftop of his school.
Summary in 300 words
The text tells the story of Mahendra, a bachelor with simple needs who is able to adapt to different living conditions. He is accompanied by his cook, Iswaran, who is quite attached to him and follows him wherever he is posted. Iswaran is a skilled cook and is able to produce delicious dishes with fresh ingredients, even in remote and desolate locations. In addition to his cooking skills, Iswaran is also a gifted storyteller and spends his nights chatting with Mahendra and weaving endless stories and anecdotes on varied subjects. He is greatly influenced by the Tamil authors he reads and incorporates elements of suspense and surprise endings into his own accounts.
One of the stories Iswaran tells is about a wild elephant that escapes from a timber yard and causes chaos in a town. The elephant rampages through the streets, breaking fences, smashing stalls, and causing panic among the townspeople. Iswaran, who was a junior student at the time, observed the incident from the rooftop of his school. He describes how he watched as the elephant entered a school ground where children were playing, breaking through the brick wall and causing chaos. The teachers and students were forced to flee to the rooftop, where they watched helplessly as the elephant destroyed the playground. Iswaran even recounts how he, in a moment of bravery, ran down the stairs and into the open with a cane in hand. The text paints a vivid picture of Iswaran’s vivid and imaginative storytelling style.
Multiple Question And Answers;
Q1. Who is the main character in the text?
a) Iswaran
b) Mahendra
c) The elephant
Answer: b) Mahendra
Q2. What is Iswaran’s job?
a) He is a teacher
b) He is a cook
c) He is a mahout
Answer: b) He is a cook
Q3. How does Iswaran describe the elephant that escapes from the timber yard?
a) As a well-fed beast
b) As a small and harmless animal
c) As a dangerous and wild creature
Answer: a) As a well-fed beast
Q4. Where does the elephant enter the school?
a) The playground
b) The classrooms
c) The terrace
Answer: a) The playground
Q5. How do the teachers and students react when the elephant enters the school?
a) They confront the elephant
b) They flee to the rooftop
c) They stay in the classrooms
Answer: b) They flee to the rooftop
Q6. How does Iswaran feel when he sees the elephant?
a) Scared
b) Excited
c) Indifferent
Answer: b) Excited
Q7. What does Iswaran do when he sees the elephant?
a) Runs away
b) Grabs a cane and runs into the open
c) Climbs to the rooftop
Answer: b) Grabs a cane and runs into the open
Q8. What is Iswaran’s relationship with Mahendra?
a) Iswaran is Mahendra’s enemy
b) Iswaran is Mahendra’s cook and companion
c) Iswaran is Mahendra’s student
Answer: b) Iswaran is Mahendra’s cook and companion
Q9. What is Iswaran’s hobby?
a) Reading
b) Playing sports
c) Painting
Answer: a) Reading
Q10. What type of books does Iswaran like to read?
a) Classic literature
b) Popular Tamil thrillers
c) Non-fiction
Answer: b) Popular Tamil thrillers
Q11. How does Iswaran’s storytelling style compare to the authors he reads?
a) He is less imaginative
b) He is more imaginative
c) He is equally imaginative
Answer: b) He is more imaginative
Q12. What does Iswaran do after he finishes telling a story?
a) Goes to sleep
b) Goes to work
c) Goes to the gym
Answer: a) Goes to sleep
Q13. What is Iswaran’s ability to produce cooking ingredients?
a) Poor
b) Good
c) Amazing
Answer: c) Amazing
Q14. How does Iswaran feel about following Mahendra wherever he is posted?
a) Complaining
b) Resistant
c) Uncomplaining
Answer: c) Uncomplaining
Q15. How does Iswaran feel about Mahendra?
a) Indifferent
b) Dislike
c) Attached
Answer: c) Attached
Q16. How does Iswaran feel about his work?
a) He hates it
b) He is bored
c) He is passionate
Answer: c) He is passionate
Q17 Where is the place Iswaran comes from?
a) Famous for timber
b) Famous for tourism
c) Famous for agriculture
Answer: a) Famous for timber
Q18. How does Iswaran feel about being in the middle of a desolate landscape?
a) Frustrated
b) Unbothered
c) Excited
Answer: b) Unbothered
Q19. What does Iswaran do during lunchtime?
a) Sleeps
b) Reads
c) Watches TV
Answer: b) Reads
Q20. What does Iswaran do after Mahendra leaves for work?
a) Watches TV
b) Tidy up the shed, wash clothes, and have a leisurely bath
c) Goes for a walk
Answer: b) Tidy up the shed, wash clothes, and have a leisurely bath
Passage-01 (Ishwaran the Storyteller)
Mahendra was a bachelor with simple needs. He was able to adjust himself to all kinds of odd conditions, whether it was an ill-equipped circuit house or a makeshift canvas tent in the middle of a stone quarry. But one asset he had was his cook, Iswaran. The cook was quite attached to Mahendra and followed him uncomplainingly wherever he was posted. He cooked for Mahendra, washed his clothes and chatted away with his master at night. He could weave out endless stories and anecdotes on varied subjects. Iswaran also had an amazing capacity to produce vegetables and cooking ingredients, seemingly out of nowhere, in the middle of a desolate landscape with no shops visible for miles around. He would miraculously conjure up the most delicious dishes made with fresh vegetables within an hour of arriving at the zinc-sheet shelter at the new workplace.
Mahendra would be up early in the morning and leave for work after breakfast, carrying some prepared food with him. Meanwhile Iswaran would tidy up the shed, wash the clothes, and have a leisurely bath, pouring several buckets of water over his head, muttering a prayer all the while. It would be lunchtime by then. After eating, he would read for a while before dozing off. The book was usually some popular Tamil thriller running to hundreds of pages. Its imaginative descriptions and narrative flourishes would hold Iswaran in thrall. His own descriptions were greatly influenced by the Tamil authors that he read. When he was narrating even the smallest of incidents, he would try to work in suspense and a surprise ending into the account.
For example, instead of saying that he had come across an uprooted tree on the highway, he would say, with eyebrows suitably arched and hands held out in a dramatic gesture, “The road was deserted and I was all alone. Suddenly I spotted something that looked like an enormous bushy beast lying sprawled across the road. I was half inclined to turn and go back. But as I came closer I saw that it was a fallen tree, with its dry branches spread out.” Mahendra would stretch himself back in his canvas chair and listen to Iswaran’s tales uncritically.
Q1. What is Iswaran’s ability to produce cooking ingredients?
a) Poor
b) Good
c) Amazing
Answer: c) Amazing
Q2. How does Iswaran feel about following Mahendra wherever he is posted?
a) Complaining
b) Resistant
c) Uncomplaining
Answer: c) Uncomplaining
Q3. How does Iswaran feel about his work?
a) He hates it
b) He is bored
c) He is passionate
Answer: c) He is passionate
Q4. What does Iswaran do during lunchtime?
a) Sleeps
b) Reads
c) Watches TV
Answer: b) Reads
Q5. What does Iswaran do after Mahendra leaves for work?
a) Watches TV
b) Tidy up the shed, wash clothes, and have a leisurely bath
c) Goes for a walk
Answer: b) Tidy up the shed, wash clothes, and have a leisurely bath
Prose Passage-02 (Ishwaran the Storyteller)
Mahendra and Iswaran were an unlikely pair, but they had formed a strong bond over the years. Mahendra was a bachelor who had to adjust to all kinds of odd living conditions, whether it was an ill-equipped circuit house or a makeshift canvas tent in the middle of a stone quarry. But with Iswaran by his side, he was able to manage. Iswaran was not just a cook, but also a confidant and companion. He cooked for Mahendra, washed his clothes and chatted away with his master at night. He was also a gifted storyteller, with an endless supply of anecdotes and tales on varied subjects.
Iswaran had a special talent for producing delicious dishes made with fresh vegetables within an hour of arriving at a new workplace. He would miraculously conjure up the most mouth-watering meals, even in the middle of a desolate landscape with no shops visible for miles around. Mahendra would be up early in the morning and leave for work after breakfast, carrying some prepared food with him. Meanwhile, Iswaran would tidy up the shed, wash the clothes, and have a leisurely bath, pouring several buckets of water over his head, muttering a prayer all the while.
One of Iswaran’s favorite stories to tell was about a wild elephant that had caused destruction in his hometown. He would describe in vivid detail how the elephant had broken through fences, smashed stalls, and even entered a school ground where children were playing. Iswaran would get so caught up in the excitement of his own story that he would jump about, stamping his feet in emulation of the mad elephant. His storytelling skills were greatly influenced by the Tamil authors he read, and he would always try to work in suspense and a surprise ending into the account.
Mahendra would listen to Iswaran’s tales with great interest, never once criticizing or questioning the cook’s imaginative descriptions. The two men had formed a strong bond, and their time together was filled with laughter and camaraderie.
Multiple-choice Questions And Answers;
Q1. What is Iswaran’s special talent?
a) He is a gifted storyteller
b) He is a proficient cook
c) He is a skilled carpenter
d) He is a talented artist
Answer: b) He is a proficient cook
Q2. What does Iswaran do after Mahendra leaves for work?
a) He goes out for a walk
b) He goes back to sleep
c) He tidies up the shed and washes clothes
d) He goes to the market
Answer: c) He tidies up the shed and washes clothes
Q3. What is the subject of one of Iswaran’s favorite stories?
a) An elephant that goes mad
b) A ghost that haunts his hometown
c) A treasure hunt
d) A love story
Answer: a) An elephant that goes mad
Q4. How does Iswaran act when he tells his stories?
a) He is very serious
b) He is very excited
c) He is very calm
d) He is very sad
Answer: b) He is very excited
Q5. What is the relationship between Mahendra and Iswaran?
a) They are brothers
b) They are father and son
c) They are employer and employee
d) They are friends
Answer: d) They are friends
Prose Passage-03 (Ishwaran the Storyteller)
Mahendra and Iswaran had been through a lot together, and their bond had only grown stronger over time. Iswaran was not just a cook, but also a companion and confidant for Mahendra. He had a talent for producing delicious dishes, even in the most unlikely of places. He would conjure up mouth-watering meals within an hour of arriving at a new location, and his meals were always a highlight of their time together.
Despite the often-harsh living conditions, Iswaran never complained, and always found ways to make the best of things. He would chat away with Mahendra at night, telling him stories and anecdotes on a wide range of subjects. One of his favorite stories was about a wild elephant that had caused destruction in his hometown. He would describe in vivid detail how the elephant had broken through fences, smashed stalls, and even entered a school ground where children were playing.
Iswaran’s storytelling skills were greatly influenced by the Tamil authors he read, and he would always try to work in suspense and a surprise ending into the account. He would get so caught up in the excitement of his own story that he would jump about, stamping his feet in emulation of the mad elephant. Mahendra would listen to Iswaran’s tales with great interest, never once criticizing or questioning the cook’s imaginative descriptions.
The two men had formed a strong bond, and their time together was filled with laughter and camaraderie. Iswaran’s presence made all the difference for Mahendra, and he was grateful for the cook’s unwavering loyalty and companionship.
Multiple-choice Questions And Answers :
Q1. What is Iswaran’s special talent?
a) He is a gifted storyteller
b) He is a proficient cook
c) He is a skilled carpenter
d) He is a talented artist
Answer: b) He is a proficient cook
Q2. What is Iswaran’s attitude towards the living conditions?
a) He is unhappy
b) He is indifferent
c) He never complains
d) He is always grumbling
Answer: c) He never complains
Q3. What is the subject of one of Iswaran’s favorite stories?
a) An elephant that goes mad
b) A ghost that haunts his hometown
c) A treasure hunt
d) A love story
Answer: a) An elephant that goes mad
Q4. How does Iswaran act when he tells his stories?
a) He is very serious
b) He is very excited
c) He is very calm
d) He is very sad
Answer: b) He is very excited
Q5. What is the relationship between Mahendra and Iswaran?
a) They are brothers
b) They are father and son
c) They are employer and employee
d) They are friends
Answer: d) They are friends
Questions And Answers;
Q1. In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?
Ans; Iswaran is an asset to Mahendra because he is a talented cook who can produce delicious meals from seemingly nothing, even in the most unlikely of places. He also serves as a confidant and companion for Mahendra, telling him stories and anecdotes, keeping him company and making the best of their often harsh living conditions.
Q2. How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create in his listeners?
Ans; Iswaran describes the uprooted tree on the highway in a dramatic way, with eyebrows suitably arched and hands held out in a dramatic gesture, “The road was deserted and I was all alone. Suddenly I spotted something that looked like an enormous bushy beast lying sprawled across the road. I was half inclined to turn and go back. But as I came closer I saw that it was a fallen tree, with its dry branches spread out.” The effect he wants to create in his listeners is suspense and surprise.
Q3. How does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be plausible?
Ans; He narrates the story of the tusker in a detailed and vivid way, describing the destruction the elephant causes in his hometown. While the story may not be completely plausible, it is clear that Iswaran is trying to create an exciting and dramatic story.
Q4. Why does the author say that Iswaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a TV in Mahendra’s living quarters?
Ans; The author says that Iswaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a TV in Mahendra’s living quarters because Iswaran’s storytelling skills were so entertaining and engaging. His ability to weave suspense and surprise endings into his accounts made for a much more interesting and captivating form of entertainment than a TV could provide.
Q5. Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full-moon night?
Ans; On a full-moon night, Mahendra is visited by a ghost, which he initially believes to be a figment of his imagination. However, as the ghost continues to appear, he begins to question his belief that ghosts are not real.
Q6. Can you think of some other ending for the story?
Ans; One possible ending for the story could be that Iswaran and Mahendra’s bond grows stronger, and they continue to travel and work together. However, one day, Iswaran receives a letter from his family, telling him that his mother is very ill, and he must return home. He and Mahendra say their goodbyes, with the promise to keep in touch. Mahendra continues to travel and work, but he finds that the meals and stories provided by Iswaran are sorely missed. One day, he receives a letter from Iswaran, inviting him to come and visit him in his hometown. Mahendra is thrilled, and he makes the journey to see his old friend, who welcomes him with open arms.
Difficult Words
- Bachelor – an unmarried man
- Circuit house – a government-provided accommodation for officials
- Makeshift – done or made quickly and with whatever is available
- Canvas – a heavy, closely woven fabric of hemp, cotton, or linen, used for tents, sails, etc.
- Quarry – a place where building stone, slate, or the like, is excavated
- Cook – a person who prepares and cooks food
- Uncomplainingly – without complaining
- Conjure – to bring into existence by or as if by magic
- Mouth-watering – so attractive as to make one’s mouth water
- desolate – uninhabited and giving an impression of bleak emptiness
- Prologue – a preface or introduction
- Anecdote – a short account of an interesting or amusing incident
- Tusker – a wild elephant with large tusks
- Mahout – a person who rides an elephant
- Depredations – the act of preying upon or plundering
- Helter-skelter – in a confused and disordered manner
- Terrace – a flat roof of a house or other building, typically at a lower level than the main roof, used for recreation or as a platform for viewing
- Depredations – the act of preying upon or plundering
- Flattening – making flat or flatter
- Trunk – the long nose of an elephant
- Began – start
- Roaming – to wander about without any clear destination
- Stamping – to bring the foot down forcibly on the ground
- Wild – in an uncontrolled or unrestrained state
- Helter-skelter – in a confused and disordered manner
- Depredations – the act of preying upon or plundering
- Truncheon – a short, thick stick used as a weapon by police
- Depredations – the act of preying upon or plundering
- Terrace – a flat roof of a house or other building, typically at a lower level than the main roof, used for recreation or as a platform for viewing
- Depredations – the act of preying upon or plundering