Iswaran, The Storyteller - Reading Comprehension

 AP / NCERT Reading Comprehension Passages 
Grade 9 Supplementary Reader Chapter 

Iswaran the Storyteller

Reading Comprehension 1

THE story was narrated to Ganesh by a young man, Mahendra by name. He was a junior supervisor in a firm which offered on hire supervisors at various types of construction sites: factories, bridges, dams, and so on. Mahendra’s job was to keep an eye on the activities at the work site. He had to keep moving from place to place every now and then as ordered by his head office: from a coal mining area to a railway bridge construction site, from there after a few months to a chemical plant which was coming up somewhere.

 

     He was a bachelor. His needs were simple and he was able to adjust himself to all kinds of odd conditions, whether it was an ill-equipped circuit house or a makeshift canvas tent in the middle of a stone quarry. But one asset he had was his cook, Iswaran. The cook was quite attached to Mahendra and followed him uncomplainingly wherever he was posted. He cooked for Mahendra, washed his clothes and chatted away with his master at night. He could weave out endless stories and anecdotes on varied subjects.

1. What was Mahendra's job in the firm?

   a) Chief engineer

   b) Construction worker

   c) Junior supervisor

   d) Factory manager

2. Why did Mahendra have to move from place to place frequently?

   a) He was an explorer by nature.

   b) He was on vacation.

   c) His job required him to supervise various construction sites.

   d) He was searching for a new home.

3. What role did Iswaran play in Mahendra's life?

   a) He was Mahendra's boss.

   b) He was Mahendra's colleague.

   c) He was Mahendra's cook and companion.

   d) He was Mahendra's driver.

4. What did Iswaran do for Mahendra besides cooking?

   a) He supervised construction sites.

   b) He told stories and anecdotes.

   c) He repaired Mahendra's clothes.

   d) He managed the head office.

5. What was Iswaran's talent that brought entertainment to Mahendra's life?

   a) Singing

   b) Dancing

   c) Cooking

   d) Storytelling

Reading Comprehension  2

Iswaran also had an amazing capacity to produce vegetables and cooking ingredients, seemingly out of nowhere, in the middle of a desolate landscape with no shops visible for miles around. He would miraculously conjure up the most delicious dishes made with fresh vegetables within an hour of arriving at the zinc-sheet shelter at the new workplace.

 

     Mahendra would be up early in the morning and leave for work after breakfast, carrying some prepared food with him. Meanwhile Iswaran would tidy up the shed, wash the clothes, and have a leisurely bath, pouring several buckets of water over his head, muttering a prayer all the while. It would be lunchtime by then. After eating, he would read for a while before dozing off. The book was usually some popular Tamil thriller running to hundreds of pages. Its imaginative descriptions and narrative flourishes would hold Iswaran in thrall.

1. How did Iswaran's cooking abilities impress Mahendra?

   a) He could cook for large groups of people.

   b) He used a wide variety of spices.

   c) He created delicious dishes with limited resources.

2. What did Iswaran do after Mahendra left for work in the morning?

   a) He took a leisurely bath.

   b) He went shopping for cooking ingredients.

   c) He did the laundry.

3. What did Iswaran usually do after having lunch?

   a) He took a nap.

   b) He read a Tamil thriller.

   c) He went for a walk.

4. What was the nature of the books Iswaran read during his leisure time?

   a) Philosophical and educational.

   b) Tamil thrillers with imaginative descriptions.

   c) Cookbooks with new recipes.

5. Iswaran prepared breakfast for Mahendra before he left for work. (True or False)

Reading Comprehension 3

His own descriptions were greatly influenced by the Tamil authors that he read. When he was narrating even the smallest of incidents, he would try to work in suspense and a surprise ending into the account. For example, instead of saying that he had come across an uprooted tree on the highway, he would say, with eyebrows suitably arched and hands held out in a dramatic gesture, “The road was deserted and I was all alone. Suddenly I spotted something that looked like an enormous bushy beast lying sprawled across the road. I was half inclined to turn and go back. But as I came closer I saw that it was a fallen tree, with its dry branches spread out.” Mahendra would stretch himself back in his canvas chair and listen to Iswaran’s tales uncritically.

 

     “The place I come from is famous for timber,” Iswaran would begin. “There is a richly wooded forest all around. The logs are hauled on to the lorries by elephants. They are huge well-fed beasts. When they turn wild even the most experienced mahout is not able to control them.” After this prologue Iswaran would launch into an elaborate anecdote involving an elephant.

1. How did Iswaran's storytelling style change small incidents into dramatic tales?

   a) He included elements of suspense and surprise.

   b) He exaggerated details.

   c) He spoke with a theatrical voice.

2. What was the subject of Iswaran's storytelling?

   a) The landscapes he encountered.

   b) Tamil authors' influence on him.

   c) Elephants and forests in his hometown.

3. How did Mahendra respond to Iswaran's tales?

   a) He listened attentively.

   b) He criticized Iswaran's storytelling.

   c) He often interrupted with questions.

4. True or False: Iswaran described a famous forest with abundant wildlife.

5. True or False: Mahendra had a critical attitude towards Iswaran's tales.

Reading Comprehension 4

“One day a tusker escaped from the timber yard and began to roam about, stamping on bushes, tearing up wild creepers and breaking branches at will. You know, sir, how an elephant behaves when it goes mad.” Iswaran would get so caught up in the excitement of his own story that he would get up from the floor and jump about, stamping his feet in emulation of the mad elephant.

     “The elephant reached the outskirts of our town; breaking the fences down like matchsticks,” he would continue. “It came into the main road and smashed all the stalls selling fruits, mud pots and clothes. People ran helter-skelter in panic! The elephant now entered a school ground where children were playing, breaking through the brick wall. All the boys ran into the classrooms and shut the doors tight. The beast grunted and wandered about, pulling out the football goal-post, tearing down the volleyball net, kicking and flattening the drum kept for water, and uprooting the shrubs. Meanwhile all the teachers had climbed up to the terrace of the school building; from there they helplessly watched the depredations of the elephant. There was not a soul below on the ground. The streets were empty as if the inhabitants of the entire town had suddenly disappeared.

1. True or False: Iswaran would physically act out the mad elephant's behavior during his storytelling.

2. True or False: The elephant's rampage created a chaotic scene, and people fled in panic.

3. True or False: The teachers and students stayed on the ground during the elephant's rampage.

4. People ran helter-skelter in ________.

   

5. All the teachers had climbed up to the terrace of the school building; from there, they helplessly watched the ________ of the elephant.

 

Reading Comprehension 5

“I was studying in the junior class at that time, and was watching the whole drama from the rooftop. I don’t know what came over me suddenly. I grabbed a cane from the hands of one of the teachers and ran down the stairs and into the open. The elephant grunted and menacingly swung a branch of a tree which it held in its trunk. It stamped its feet, kicking up a lot of mud and dust. It looked frightening. But I moved slowly towards it, stick in hand. People were watching the scene hypnotised from nearby housetops. The elephant looked at me red-eyed, ready to rush towards me. It lifted its trunk and trumpeted loudly. At that moment I moved forward and, mustering all my force, whacked its third toenail on the quick. The beast looked stunned for a moment; then it shivered from head to foot — and collapsed.”

 

1. What was the narrator doing when they witnessed the elephant incident?

   a) Studying in the classroom

   b) Playing in the schoolyard

   c) Watching from the rooftop

   d) Running away from the scene

2. Why did the narrator grab a cane and run towards the elephant?

   a) To provoke the elephant further

   b) To rescue someone trapped by the elephant

   c) To scare the elephant away

   d) To take a closer look at the elephant

3. What did the elephant do in response to the narrator's approach?

   a) It ran away in fear

   b) It peacefully coexisted with the narrator

   c) It charged towards the narrator

   d) It ignored the narrator and continued its activities

4. What action did the narrator take that eventually led to the elephant's collapse?

   a) Threw a stone at the elephant

   b) Shouted loudly to scare the elephant

   c) Whacked the elephant's third toenail on the quick

   d) Attempted to climb on the elephant's back

5. True or False: The narrator's action of hitting the elephant's third toenail on the quick resulted in the elephant's collapse.

Reading Comprehension 6

At this point Iswaran would leave the story unfinished, and get up mumbling, “I will be back after lighting the gas and warming up the dinner.” Mahendra who had been listening with rapt attention would be left hanging. When he returned, Iswaran would not pick up the thread of the story right away. Mahendra would have to remind him that the conclusion was pending. “Well, a veterinary doctor was summoned to revive the animal,” Iswaran would shrug casually. “Two days later it was led away by its mahout to the jungle.”

 

     “Well, how did you manage to do it, Iswaran — how did you bring down the beast?”

     “It has something to do with a Japanese art, I think, sir. Karate or ju-jitsu it is called. I had read about it somewhere. It temporarily paralyses the nervous system, you see.”

 

1. What is Iswaran's reason for leaving the story unfinished when Mahendra is listening?

   a) He is tired of telling the story.

   b) He wants to make Mahendra curious.

   c) He needs to light the gas for dinner.

   d) He wants to test Mahendra's memory.

2. How does Mahendra react when Iswaran leaves the story unfinished?

   a) He gets frustrated and leaves.

   b) He continues the story himself.

   c) He patiently waits for Iswaran to return.

   d) He scolds Iswaran for not finishing the story.

3. How is the elephant finally revived and led away from the scene?

   a) Iswaran used a traditional Indian technique.

   b) Iswaran performed Karate on the elephant.

   c) A veterinary doctor was called to the scene.

   d) The elephant revived on its own after some time.

4. Iswaran mentions a Japanese art that he thinks was involved in bringing down the elephant. What is the name of that art?

   a) Karate

   b) Ju-jitsu

   c) Taekwondo

   d) Kung Fu

Reading Comprehension 7

Not a day passed without Iswaran recounting some story packed with adventure, horror and suspense. Whether the story was credible or not, Mahendra enjoyed listening to it because of the inimitable way in which it was told. Iswaran seemed to more than make up for the absence of a TV in Mahendra’s living quarters.

     One morning when Mahendra was having breakfast Iswaran asked, “Can I make something special for dinner tonight, sir? After all today is an auspicious day — according to tradition we prepare various delicacies to feed the spirits of our ancestors today, sir.”

State True or False:

1. Iswaran's stories were always credible.

   

2. Mahendra enjoyed listening to Iswaran's stories because of the way they were told.

   

3. Iswaran wants to make something special for dinner because it's an auspicious day dedicated to feeding the spirits of their ancestors.

   

Reading Comprehension 8

That night Mahendra enjoyed the most delicious dinner and complimented Iswaran on his culinary skills. He seemed very pleased but, unexpectedly, launched into a most garish account involving the supernatural.

     “You know, sir, this entire factory area we are occupying was once a burial ground,” he started. Mahendra was jerked out of the pleasant reverie he had drifted into after the satisfying meal.

     “I knew on the first day itself when I saw a human skull lying on the path. Even now I come across a number of skulls and bones,” Iswaran continued.

 

     He went on to narrate how he sometimes saw ghosts at night. “I am not easily frightened by these things, sir. I am a brave fellow. But one horrible ghost of a woman which appears off and on at midnight during the full moon... It is an ugly creature with matted hair and a shrivelled face, like a skeleton holding a foetus in its arms.”

1. Why did Mahendra compliment Iswaran one night?

   a) Iswaran shared a delicious meal

   b) Iswaran told a supernatural story

   c) Iswaran's cooking skills

   d) Iswaran's bravery in the face of ghosts

2. According to Iswaran, what was the history of the area where they lived and worked?

   a) It was a bustling industrial zone.

   b) It was a lush forest.

   c) It was once a burial ground.

   d) It was an ancient temple complex.

3. What did Iswaran mention about the path near their living quarters?

   a) It was filled with flowers.

   b) Human skulls and bones were found there.

   c) It was beautifully illuminated.

   d) It was haunted by spirits.

4. What description did Iswaran give about the ghost that he claimed to see at midnight during the full moon?

   a) A friendly and comforting spirit

   b) An ugly creature with matted hair

   c) A beautiful woman with long, flowing hair

   d) A mischievous and playful apparition

5. True or False: Iswaran was easily frightened by the supernatural occurrences in the area.

Reading Comprehension 9

Mahendra shivered at the description and interrupted rather sharply, “You are crazy, Iswaran. There are no such things as ghosts or spirits. It is all a figment of your imagination. Get your digestive system examined — and maybe your head as well. You are talking nonsense.”

 

     He left the room and retired for the night, expecting Iswaran to sulk for a couple of days. But the next morning he was surprised to find the cook as cheerful and talkative as ever.

     From that day on Mahendra, for all his brave talk, went to bed with a certain unease. Every night he peered into the darkness outside through the window next to his bed, trying to make sure that there was no movement of dark shapes in the vicinity. But he could only see a sea of darkness with the twinkling lights of the factory miles away.

     He had always liked to admire the milk-white landscape on full-moon nights. But after hearing Iswaran’s story of the female ghost he avoided looking out of his window altogether when the moon was full.

1. How did Mahendra react to Iswaran's story about the female ghost?

   a) He believed Iswaran and was scared.

   b) He found it amusing and laughed.

   c) He shivered and called Iswaran crazy.

   d) He asked Iswaran to share more ghost stories.

2. How did Mahendra expect Iswaran to react after his critical comments about the ghost story?

   a) He expected Iswaran to become sulky.

   b) He thought Iswaran would share more stories.

   c) He expected Iswaran to ignore him.

   d) He thought Iswaran would be frightened.

3. How did Mahendra's behavior change after hearing Iswaran's ghost story?

   a) He slept soundly every night.

   b) He continued to admire the full moon outside his window.

   c) He peered into the darkness outside the window with unease.

   d) He started believing in the existence of ghosts.

4. What did Mahendra used to enjoy looking at on full-moon nights before Iswaran's story?

   a) The twinkling lights of the factory

   b) A sea of darkness outside the window

   c) The milk-white landscape

   d) The ghostly apparitions outside his window

5. Why did Mahendra avoid looking out of his window on full-moon nights after hearing Iswaran's story?

   a) He was scared of seeing dark shapes in the vicinity.

   b) He was afraid of the twinkling lights of the factory.

   c) He disliked the moonlight on those nights.

   d) He wanted to stay indoors and avoid the cold.

Reading Comprehension 10

One night, Mahendra was woken up from his sleep by a low moan close to his window. At first he put it down to a cat prowling around for mice. But the sound was too guttural for a cat. He resisted the curiosity to look out lest he should behold a sight which would stop his heart. But the wailing became louder and less feline. 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. Mahendra broke into a cold sweat and fell back on the pillow, panting. As he gradually recovered from the ghastly experience he began to reason with himself, and finally concluded that it must have been some sort of auto suggestion, some trick that his subconscious had played on him.

1. What initially did Mahendra think was responsible for the low moan he heard outside his window?

   a) A cat looking for mice

   b) An intruder

   c) A ghostly apparition

   d) The wind blowing through trees

2. What finally compelled Mahendra to look outside his window?

   a) The temptation to behold a terrifying sight

   b) The curiosity to observe the moonlight

   c) The sound becoming less feline

   d) The urge to catch a cat prowling

3. How did Mahendra explain the terrifying experience he had later on?

   a) He believed it was a real ghost.

   b) He thought it was a trick played by his subconscious.

   c) He assumed it was an intruder outside his window.

   d) He considered it to be an auto-suggestion.

4. True or False: Mahendra fell back on the pillow and was calm after seeing the dark cloudy form outside his window.

5. True or False: Mahendra believed that the sound he heard was too guttural for a cat.

Reading Comprehension 11

By the time he had got up in the morning, had a bath and come out to have his breakfast, the horror of the previous night had faded from his memory. Iswaran greeted him at the door with his lunch packet and his bag. Just as Mahendra was stepping out Iswaran grinned and said, “Sir, remember the other day when I was telling you about the female ghost with a foetus in its arms, you were so angry with me for imagining things? Well, you saw her yourself last night. I came running hearing the sound of moaning that was coming from your room...”

     A chill went down Mahendra’s spine. He did not wait for Iswaran to complete his sentence. He hurried away to his office and handed in his papers, resolving to leave the haunted place the very next day!

 

1. Why did the horror of the previous night fade from Mahendra's memory in the morning?

   a) He had a refreshing bath.

   b) He had a hearty breakfast.

   c) It was a dreamless sleep.

   d) Iswaran told him a new story.

2. What did Iswaran greet Mahendra with as he was leaving for the day?

   a) Breakfast

   b) Lunch packet and bag

   c) A scary story

   d) A warning about the female ghost

3. What made Mahendra decide to leave the haunted place?

   a) Iswaran's advice

   b) The sound of moaning in his room

   c) The prospect of a better job

   d) His desire for a change of scenery

4. True or False: Mahendra was pleased when Iswaran reminded him of the female ghost's story.

5. True or False: Mahendra decided to leave the haunted place immediately after Iswaran's revelation about seeing the female ghost.