3. Father's help is the short story written by RK Narayan and Indian
English short story teller and novelist. This lesson is an extract from
his famous novel Malgudi days. In the novel he portrays the life of a
boy named Swami who is mischievous but at the same time lovable.
4. The main theme of the story is a
how a boy uses a pretext for not
going to school. The story depicts
the child psychology and shows
how a child’s mind works to device
out a trick for shirking his duty.
This story also highlights the need
of understanding between parents
and children and the significance
of ideal teacher pupil relationship.
5. MIND MAP FOR UNDERSTANDING
1. • On Monday morning, Swami –unwilling to go to school.
2. • Makes an excuse of having a headache.
3. • Convinces his mother-but father was stubborn-tells him to go
to school.
4. • Gives vivid imaginary account of his teacher Samuel’s violent
character.
5. • Father becomes exasperated with the teacher and writes a
rude letter to the Headmaster complaining against the teacher.
6. 6 • Swami’s conscience bothers him for making a false statement
about Samuel.
7 • Reaches late to school-teacher shows concern-does not scold-
plans to disobey to make him angry.
8 • Troubles the teacher-gets three wholesome cuts on each palm-
rushes to the Headmaster’s room with the letter.
9 • Peon informs that the Headmaster is on leave-can give the letter
to Samuel the assistant headmaster.
10 • Swami does not deliver the letter-goes back home-receives
scoldings from the father for not delivering the letter.
