The Snake and the Mirror Class 9 PPT

 Page 1


THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR 
BY- VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER 
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THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR 
BY- VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER 
VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER
? Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (January 1908 – 5 July 
1994), also known as Beypore Sulthan, was an Indian 
Independence Activist and writer of Malayalam Literature 
.
? He was a Writer, Humanist, Freedom fighter, novelist and 
short story writer, noted for his path-breaking, down-to-
earth style of writing that made him equally popular 
among literary critics as well as the common man. 
? His notable works 
include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude
Aadu, Mathilukal, Janmadinam and Anargha
Nimisham and the translations of his works into other 
languages have earned him worldwide acclaim.
Page 3


THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR 
BY- VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER 
VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER
? Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (January 1908 – 5 July 
1994), also known as Beypore Sulthan, was an Indian 
Independence Activist and writer of Malayalam Literature 
.
? He was a Writer, Humanist, Freedom fighter, novelist and 
short story writer, noted for his path-breaking, down-to-
earth style of writing that made him equally popular 
among literary critics as well as the common man. 
? His notable works 
include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude
Aadu, Mathilukal, Janmadinam and Anargha
Nimisham and the translations of his works into other 
languages have earned him worldwide acclaim.
? The Government of India awarded him the fourth 
highest civilian honor of the Padma Shri in 1982. 
He was also a recipient of the Sahitya Academy 
Fellowship, Kerala Sahitya Academy Fellowship, 
and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story.
Page 4


THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR 
BY- VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER 
VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER
? Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (January 1908 – 5 July 
1994), also known as Beypore Sulthan, was an Indian 
Independence Activist and writer of Malayalam Literature 
.
? He was a Writer, Humanist, Freedom fighter, novelist and 
short story writer, noted for his path-breaking, down-to-
earth style of writing that made him equally popular 
among literary critics as well as the common man. 
? His notable works 
include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude
Aadu, Mathilukal, Janmadinam and Anargha
Nimisham and the translations of his works into other 
languages have earned him worldwide acclaim.
? The Government of India awarded him the fourth 
highest civilian honor of the Padma Shri in 1982. 
He was also a recipient of the Sahitya Academy 
Fellowship, Kerala Sahitya Academy Fellowship, 
and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story.
INTRODUCTION
In this story, a writer tells us a story which he 
himself heard from a homoeopathic doctor. 
Furthermore, this story revolves around two 
aspects- the snake and the mirror. Moreover, in 
this story, a doctor reflects on a day in his 
youth, when he was unmarried. The doctor 
enters his room on a hot summer night and 
then he indulges in deep thinking. In the midst 
of it, the doctor had a sudden encounter with a 
snake as it fell on the doctor. The doctor went 
into shock, but soon the snake saw its reflection 
on a mirror nearby and made a move towards 
it. It seems that the snake was more interested 
in his own reflection than the doctor. 
Consequently, the doctor’s life was saved.
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THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR 
BY- VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER 
VAIKOM MUHAMMAD BASHEER
? Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (January 1908 – 5 July 
1994), also known as Beypore Sulthan, was an Indian 
Independence Activist and writer of Malayalam Literature 
.
? He was a Writer, Humanist, Freedom fighter, novelist and 
short story writer, noted for his path-breaking, down-to-
earth style of writing that made him equally popular 
among literary critics as well as the common man. 
? His notable works 
include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude
Aadu, Mathilukal, Janmadinam and Anargha
Nimisham and the translations of his works into other 
languages have earned him worldwide acclaim.
? The Government of India awarded him the fourth 
highest civilian honor of the Padma Shri in 1982. 
He was also a recipient of the Sahitya Academy 
Fellowship, Kerala Sahitya Academy Fellowship, 
and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story.
INTRODUCTION
In this story, a writer tells us a story which he 
himself heard from a homoeopathic doctor. 
Furthermore, this story revolves around two 
aspects- the snake and the mirror. Moreover, in 
this story, a doctor reflects on a day in his 
youth, when he was unmarried. The doctor 
enters his room on a hot summer night and 
then he indulges in deep thinking. In the midst 
of it, the doctor had a sudden encounter with a 
snake as it fell on the doctor. The doctor went 
into shock, but soon the snake saw its reflection 
on a mirror nearby and made a move towards 
it. It seems that the snake was more interested 
in his own reflection than the doctor. 
Consequently, the doctor’s life was saved.
CHAPTER BEGINS.....
“HAS a snake ever coiled itself round any part of 
your body? A full-blooded cobra?” All of us fell silent. 
The question came from the homeopath. The topic 
came up when we were discussing snakes. We 
listened attentively as the doctor continued with his 
tale. It was a hot summer night; about ten o’clock. I 
had my meal at the restaurant and returned to my 
room. I heard a noise from above as I opened the 
door. The sound was a familiar one. One could say 
that the rats and I shared the room. I took out my 
box of matches and lighted the kerosene lamp on 
the table.