NCERT Solutions for Class 9th: Ch 3 Iswaran the Storyteller Moments English
By R.K. Laxman
Page No: 18
Think About It
1. In
what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?
Answer
Iswaran was a good domestic assistant for Mahendra. Apart from cooking and doing household chores he was a great entertainer for his master. He was good at managing resources as he could find vegetables out of nowhere also never had complain while accompanying his master.
2. How
does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect
does he want to create in his listeners?
Answer
Iswaran describes the
uprooted tree on the highway with eyebrows suitably arched and hands
held out in a dramatic way. He would begin by saying that 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 and go back. But as he came closer he saw that it
was a fallen tree, with its dry branches spread out.
The effect he wants to create is suspense and a surprise ending to every small incident that he narrates to his readers.
3. How
does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be
plausible?
Answer
This story does not appear to be plausible.
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 so because Iswaran provided a great company to Mahendra. He would chat with Mahendra at night when he returned from his work. Iswaran would also entertain Mahendra by telling stories. Thus, with Iswaran around Mahendra never felt bored and never felt the necessity of having a TV for entertainment.
5. Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full-moon night?
Answer
Mahendra calls ghosts or
spirits a figment of the imagination because Iswaran informed him that
they were living on a burial site and kept narrating to him stories of
various ghosts he himself had encountered.
On one full moon night, Mahendra was
woken up from his sleep by a low moan close to his window. At first he
thought that it was a cat prowling around for mice. But the sound was
too deep and guttural for a cat. He resisted looking outside as he did
not want to witness a sight that might stop his heart beat. But the
crying became louder and less subtle. He could not resist the temptation
any more. Lowering himself to the level of the windowsill he looked out
at the white sheet of moonlight outside. There, not too far away, was a
dark cloudy form clutching a bundle. He broke into a cold sweat and
fell back on the pillow, panting.
6. Can
you think of some other ending for the story?
Answer
The story could have ended on a more positive note. Instead of resigning from his job, Mahendra could have been shown as a real courageous man and proving the ghost theory wrong.
Another ending can be of both Mahendra and Iswaran leaving the place together and in turn continuing their bond which is depicted earlier in the story. Iswaran has been explained as a man of all seasons for Mahendra.