🧠 Introduction

“Iswaran the Storyteller” is a short story written by R.K. Laxman, known for his humor and keen observation of Indian life. The story revolves around Iswaran, a devoted servant with a unique gift — he tells stories so vivid and exciting that they feel real. His master, Mahendra, listens to his tales with amusement and disbelief, especially when they take a mysterious or supernatural turn.

🎯 Central Idea

The story highlights the art of storytelling and how imagination can make ordinary life exciting. It also shows the bond between a master and his servant, built on loyalty, respect, and companionship. The element of suspense and ghostly mystery adds depth to Iswaran’s tales, showing how stories can shape our emotions and even influence our fears.

📚 Summary (in Points)

• Mahendra works as a junior supervisor in a construction company, living a simple, wandering life.
• He is accompanied by his servant Iswaran, who cooks, cleans, and keeps him entertained with stories.
• Iswaran is a talkative and imaginative man, able to make even daily events sound dramatic and thrilling.
• He reads Tamil thrillers and loves adding suspense, gestures, and expressions to his storytelling.
• One day, he narrates a story about a mad elephant that entered their school and how he bravely stopped it with a stick.
• Mahendra enjoys these stories but knows Iswaran exaggerates them with imagination.
• Later, Iswaran begins telling ghost stories, especially about a female spirit carrying a baby in the moonlight.
• He claims to have seen this ghost many times near the burial ground close to their worksite.
• Though Mahendra dismisses the stories, he feels uneasy and starts imagining things at night.
• One full moon night, Mahendra hears soft crying and sees a shadow outside his window — the same ghost Iswaran described.
• Terrified, he rushes to tell Iswaran the next morning, only to see Iswaran smiling knowingly.
• Mahendra becomes so scared that he resigns and leaves the place immediately.
• The story ends humorously, showing how Iswaran’s imagination has the power to make even the brave lose their calm.

👥 Characters

• Iswaran: A loyal, hardworking, and imaginative servant who entertains his master with fascinating stories. His expressive storytelling style makes him unique and lovable.
• Mahendra: A calm, rational man who works hard and enjoys Iswaran’s company. Despite his logical mind, he gets affected by Iswaran’s tales.

🎭 Iswaran’s Storytelling Style

• He begins his stories slowly, then builds excitement with dramatic pauses.
• He uses gestures and expressions, making every event come alive.
• His stories mix fact with fantasy, often ending with a shocking twist.
• He loves suspense, exaggeration, and supernatural elements.
• His storytelling shows creativity, confidence, and a deep understanding of human curiosity.

🌿 Themes

• Imagination and Reality: The story explores how imagination can make even ordinary life exciting.
• Power of Storytelling: Iswaran’s art shows how stories can engage, entertain, and even influence others.
• Fear and Belief: Mahendra’s reaction shows how stories can make even a rational person afraid.
• Servant-Master Relationship: Their friendship shows mutual respect and affection despite social differences.
• Supernatural Elements: The ghost adds mystery, blending reality with imagination.

💬 Important Incidents

✨ Literary Devices

• Humor: The playful tone keeps the story light and entertaining.
• Irony: Mahendra, a logical man, gets scared by imaginary tales.
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions make the elephant and ghost stories realistic.
• Suspense: Each story within the story keeps the reader eager to know what happens next.
• Symbolism: The ghost represents how imagination can control the mind.

💡 Message / Moral

The story conveys that imagination is a powerful force. It can bring joy, entertainment, and even fear if not balanced with reason. Iswaran teaches that every moment of life can be made colorful through storytelling, but it also reminds us not to lose ourselves in imagination.

🌸 Conclusion

“Iswaran the Storyteller” by R.K. Laxman is a charming mix of humor, imagination, and mystery. Through the bond between Mahendra and Iswaran, the story celebrates creativity, storytelling, and human connection. Iswaran’s vivid tales show that every person carries a storyteller within — one who can turn simple experiences into unforgettable adventures. The story ends with a smile, leaving readers to wonder — was the ghost real or just a creation of Iswaran’s magical imagination?