Key Points of the Story
- R. K. Narayan's "Iswaran the Storyteller" centres on Mahendra, a bachelor supervisor, and his cook, Iswaran, who accompanies him on his travels. Iswaran's talent lies not only in cooking but also in spinning captivating tales, drawing inspiration from Tamil thrilling stories.
- Through Iswaran's narratives, Mahendra's perception blurs between fiction and reality. Iswaran recounts thrilling tales, including one about a tusker he subdues with a small cane, and another about a female ghost on a full-moon night. Initially skeptical, Mahendra's skepticism wanes when he hears strange noises outside his window one night.
- Disturbed, he confides in Iswaran, who confirms his suspicions about the haunted place. Determined to leave, Mahendra resolves to depart the following day.
Detailed Summary
The story revolves around Mahendra, a young junior supervisor working for a firm that provides supervisors for construction sites such as factories, bridges, and dams. Mahendra's job involves constant relocation to various job sites as per the orders from his head office. He is a bachelor with simple needs, making him adaptable to different and often challenging conditions at these sites. However, Mahendra has one valuable asset - his cook and companion, Iswaran. Iswaran is devoted to Mahendra, accompanying him on every job assignment.
He not only cooks for Mahendra but also takes care of household chores, including washing clothes and engaging in late-night chats. Iswaran is a gifted storyteller, who can spin tales and anecdotes on various subjects. His narratives often incorporate elements of suspense and surprise, making him a source of entertainment for Mahendra, who enjoys listening to his stories.
What sets Iswaran apart is his extraordinary ability to procure fresh vegetables and ingredients in remote, desolate landscapes with no nearby shops. He consistently manages to prepare delicious dishes for Mahendra, which leaves his employer both impressed and satisfied. One day, Iswaran expresses a desire to cook something special for dinner on an auspicious day when tradition dictates preparing various delicacies for the spirits of ancestors.
Mahendra enjoys the special dinner, but Iswaran takes the opportunity to introduce a supernatural element to the story. He reveals that the area where their factory is located was once a burial ground, and human skulls and bones can still be found there. Iswaran goes on to claim that he has encountered ghosts, including a particularly horrifying one - a female ghost with a shrivelled face, matted hair, and a foetus in its arms. Skeptical, Mahendra dismisses these tales as mere products of Iswaran's imagination, advising him to seek medical attention. However, these stories leave a lingering unease in Mahendra, and he begins to avoid looking out of his window during full-moon nights, fearing he might see the ghost. One fateful night, Mahendra is awakened by a strange moan near his window.
He initially assumes it's a cat but soon realizes the sound is more unsettling. He musters the courage to look out and sees a dark, cloudy figure holding a bundle in the moonlight. Overwhelmed by fear, Mahendra retreats to his bed, convinced it's a trick of his imagination. The following morning, Iswaran greets Mahendra with his lunch and bag, casually mentioning that he heard the moaning from Mahendra's room. Iswaran gleefully reveals that Mahendra had seen the female ghost with a foetus the previous night. Terrified and shaken, Mahendra decides to quit his job and leave the haunted place without delay, no longer able to tolerate the eerie presence that had now become a reality to him.
Theme/Message
Theme
- The story explores the theme of storytelling, highlighting how a captivating narrative relies on the skilful manipulation of plot twists to keep listeners engaged. Iswaran's mastery of storytelling captivates his audience, exemplified by a tale so terrifying that it prompts his master to quit his job.
- Additionally, the narrative warns against allowing superstitions, like belief in ghosts, to influence our decisions unless there's a subconscious belief. It underscores the universality of fear and the importance of understanding its root cause to avoid making misguided decisions and facing unnecessary problems, urging individuals to be courageous in their choices.
Message
- The story suggests that the concept of ghosts and spirits is a product of our imagination. Allowing our fears to manifest and believing in such supernatural beings can disrupt our lives, as seen in Mahendra's case, where his job performance suffers due to his fear of ghosts.
- Iswaran's tale prompts Mahendra to confront his beliefs, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding supernatural phenomena. Ultimately, the message emphasizes that some aspects of the world may remain beyond our comprehension.
Difficult Words
- Supervisor: A person responsible for overseeing and managing the work of others.
- Construction: The process of building or making something, typically related to buildings, bridges, and other structures.
- Circuit house: A government guest house or rest house used for travelers or government officials.
- Makeshift: A temporary and often improvised solution or substitute.
- Canvas tent: A tent made of canvas, a heavy-duty fabric, typically used for camping or temporary shelter.
- Anecdotes: Short, interesting, and often amusing stories about real incidents or people.
- Conjure: To bring something into existence as if by magic or to make something appear.
- Depredations: Acts of plundering or causing damage and destruction.
- Mahout: An elephant rider or trainer.
- Paralysis: A loss of the ability to move or feel a part of the body, often due to injury or illness.
- Supernatural: Beyond what is natural or explainable by the laws of nature; related to the mystical or occult.
- Figment: Something invented or imagined, typically a product of one's mind.
- Unease: A feeling of discomfort, anxiety, or restlessness.
- Auto-suggestion: A psychological phenomenon where a person suggests something to themselves, often unconsciously, leading to behavioural changes.
- Subconscious: The part of the mind that contains thoughts, feelings, or memories not currently in conscious awareness.
- Ghastly: Extremely frightening, horrifying, or unpleasant.
- Foetus: An unborn or developing offspring of a mammal in the womb.
- Resolution: A firm decision or determination to do something or achieve a goal.
