Iswaran the Storyteller by R.K. Laxman - Moments - Class 9 - NCERT Q&A Solved

 Summary of "Iswaran the Storyteller"

The story is about Mahendra, a junior supervisor working for a firm that hires out supervisors to various construction sites. He moves frequently for work and is accompanied by his cook, Iswaran. Iswaran is a resourceful and talented cook who can conjure up delicious meals even in the most desolate places. Additionally, Iswaran is an excellent storyteller who narrates gripping tales filled with adventure, suspense, and horror.

One night, after Iswaran shares a particularly terrifying ghost story, Mahendra experiences a chilling encounter. He wakes up to see a ghostly figure outside his window, which greatly unsettles him. The next morning, Iswaran casually mentions that Mahendra had seen the ghost he had described, which frightens Mahendra enough to make him decide to leave the place immediately.

Answers to 'Think About It'

1. In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?

   • Iswaran is an asset to Mahendra because he is not only a skilled cook who can prepare delicious meals in difficult conditions, but also a loyal companion who follows Mahendra to all his postings. Additionally, Iswaran entertains Mahendra with his storytelling, making life more enjoyable.

2. How does Iswaran describe the uprooted tree on the highway? What effect does he want to create in his listeners?

   • Iswaran describes the uprooted tree on the highway as a monstrous beast lying sprawled across the road, creating suspense and drama in his narration. He aims to captivate and thrill his listeners by adding an element of surprise and excitement to an otherwise mundane incident.

3. How does he narrate the story of the tusker? Does it appear to be plausible?

   • Iswaran narrates the story of the tusker with great enthusiasm and detail, describing how he bravely confronted and subdued a rampaging elephant with a single blow to its toenail. While his storytelling is vivid and engaging, the tale itself seems exaggerated and implausible, adding to the charm of Iswaran’s storytelling prowess.

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?

   • The author states this because Iswaran's captivating stories filled with suspense, horror, and drama provide Mahendra with entertainment and excitement, compensating for the lack of television in his living quarters.

5. Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full-moon night?

   • On a full-moon night, Mahendra hears a low moan near his window and, despite trying to ignore it, eventually sees a ghostly figure outside. This frightens him and makes him reconsider his disbelief in ghosts, showing how Iswaran’s stories have influenced his imagination.

6. Can you think of some other ending for the story?

   • An alternate ending could be Mahendra discovering that the ghostly figure was actually a prank played by Iswaran to teach him a lesson about respecting local beliefs and traditions. This revelation could lead to a deeper bond between the two characters, with Mahendra appreciating Iswaran’s storytelling even more.

Qualities of a Good Storyteller

A good storyteller like Iswaran possesses:

• Imagination: Creating vivid and engaging stories.
• Dramatic Flair: Using expressive gestures and voice modulation to captivate the audience.
• Suspense Building: Keeping the listeners on edge with unexpected twists.
• Relatability: Weaving elements of everyday life into the stories to make them more believable and entertaining.

The Adventures of Toto by Ruskin Bond - Moments - Class IX - NCERT - Q&A Solved

Summary of "The Adventures of Toto"

Grandfather bought Toto, a mischievous little monkey, from a tonga-driver for five rupees and decided to add him to his private zoo. Toto, with his sparkling eyes and pearly white teeth, was both charming and troublesome. He caused considerable damage in the house, ripping off wallpaper and tearing up clothes. To keep him out of trouble, Grandfather placed Toto in a big cage with other pets but had to take him along to Saharanpur when he left to collect his pension. Toto's antics on the journey, especially his unexpected appearance from a bag, caused a scene at the railway station, leading the ticket collector to charge him as a dog. Despite Toto's endearing nature, his destructive behaviour led Grandfather to eventually return him to the tonga-driver.

Think About It (Q&A)

1. How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?

   • Grandfather bought Toto from a tonga-driver for five rupees because the monkey looked out of place tied to a feeding-trough.

2. “Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?

   • Toto had bright eyes that sparkled with mischief, pearly white teeth often displayed in a smile, and a tail that added to his good looks and served as a third hand.

3. Why does grandfather take Toto to Saharanpur and how? Why does the ticket collector insist on calling Toto a dog?

   • Grandfather took Toto to Saharanpur because Toto wouldn't allow the other animals in the cage to sleep. He carried Toto in a black canvas kit-bag. The ticket collector called Toto a dog because of his classification of all animals as dogs for fare purposes, leading Grandfather to pay three rupees for Toto's fare.

4. How does Toto take a bath? Where has he learnt to do this? How does Toto almost boil himself alive?

   • Toto tested the water temperature with his hand and stepped into the bath gradually, just as he had seen the narrator do. He almost boiled himself alive by getting into a kettle left on the fire, thinking the water was just warm enough for a bath, until it started boiling and Grandmother rescued him.

5. Why does the author say, “Toto was not the sort of pet we could keep for long”?

   • Toto was too mischievous and destructive, causing frequent damage to clothes, curtains, and dishes, which the family couldn't afford to replace regularly.