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I. Chapter Summary:

Iswaran the Storyteller by R.K. Laxman is a humorous and imaginative story about a man named Iswaran, who works as a caretaker for Mahendra, a junior supervisor. Iswaran is known for his flair for storytelling, dramatic narration, and exaggerated tales involving ghosts, animals, and heroic encounters. The story explores the themes of imagination, superstition, and the psychological impact of storytelling. Through Iswaran’s eccentric character and narration style, the chapter adds a blend of comedy, suspense, and drama.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

Concept	Description
Imaginative Storytelling	Iswaran captivates his listener with vivid and exaggerated stories.
Suspense and Humor	Blends ghost stories and humor to keep readers engaged.
Loyalty and Personality	Iswaran is a devoted and multi-talented servant, whose personality is both amusing and unpredictable.
Effect of Stories on Mind	Shows how repeated tales can psychologically affect the listener (Mahendra).
Cultural Folklore	Includes references to supernatural elements commonly found in Indian folklore.

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

1. Who is the author of Iswaran the Storyteller?
   a) R.K. Narayan
   b) R.K. Laxman ✅
   c) Ruskin Bond
   d) Manoj Das
2. What was Iswaran’s job?
   a) School teacher
   b) Junior engineer
   c) Caretaker of Mahendra ✅
   d) Cook in a hotel
3. What supernatural element did Iswaran mention in one of his stories?
   a) Vampire
   b) Ghost with a shrill voice and matted hair ✅
   c) Talking animal
   d) Alien
4. How did Mahendra react to Iswaran’s ghost story?
   a) He laughed it off
   b) He changed the topic
   c) He was frightened and left the job ✅
   d) He asked for more details

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

1. What kind of stories did Iswaran tell?
2. How did Iswaran make even ordinary incidents interesting?
3. Why was Mahendra forced to leave his job at the end?
   – PYQ 2022
4. Describe Iswaran’s style of narration and its impact on Mahendra.

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

1. Describe the character of Iswaran. How does he make the story lively and entertaining?
2. How does the author blend humour with the supernatural in the story Iswaran the Storyteller?
3. What impact did Iswaran’s ghost story have on Mahendra? Do you think storytelling can influence the mind?
   – PYQ 2021
4. Do you think Mahendra was a superstitious person? Justify your answer with reference to the story.

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

1. Do you think Iswaran deliberately wanted to scare Mahendra or was it just part of his natural storytelling talent? Discuss.
2. If you were in Mahendra’s position, how would you have reacted to Iswaran’s ghost story? Would you believe him or not? Why?

IV. Key Concepts/Definitions:

Term	Definition
Superstition	Belief in supernatural events without scientific basis.
Folklore	Traditional beliefs or stories passed down orally.
Suspense	A feeling of anticipation or worry about what may happen.
Narrative Style	The way a story is told, including tone, pacing, and dramatization.
Psychological Impact	The effect of stories or ideas on one’s thinking and emotions.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):

 No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
Chapter 3: Iswaran the Storyteller	5–6 marks	1 Long Answer or 2 Short Answers + 1 MCQ or HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

Year	Marks	Question
2021	5	What impact did Iswaran’s ghost story have on Mahendra?
2022	3	Why was Mahendra forced to leave the job in the end?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics:

Real-Life Scenario	Application of the Theme
Media and Entertainment	Shows how storytelling can influence thoughts and emotions.
Psychology	Demonstrates how repeated exposure to certain ideas can shape one’s fears or beliefs.
Journalism & Creative Writing	Highlights the importance of narrative style and dramatization.
Cultural Studies	Encourages discussion on folklore and traditional ghost stories in India.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

• Allocate specific time to read the chapter, then revise the plot and characters through mind maps.

 Exam Preparation:

• Practice writing the character sketch of Iswaran and Mahendra.
• Focus on Mahendra’s emotional change by the end of the story.
• Attempt HOTS and PYQs to prepare for higher-order questions.

 Stress Management:

• Enjoy reading the humorous parts to relieve exam stress.
• Share and narrate Iswaran’s stories to peers—it helps in better retention.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration:

For Classes 9–10:

Stream	Career Paths
Humanities	Journalist, Scriptwriter, Psychologist
Science	Cognitive Scientist, Behaviour Analyst
Commerce	Advertising and Branding Expert

• Foundational Exams: NTSE, SOF English Olympiad, CBSE Reading Challenge, School Debates and Creative Writing Competitions.

XI. Important Notes:

•  Always use NCERT-recommended materials and refer to sample papers for preparation.
•  Don’t just memorize; understand the cause-effect of the story’s turning points.
•  Relate Iswaran’s character to real-life storytelling traits to improve recall.
•  Storytelling can be a powerful tool—practice narrating this chapter aloud.