Today, in this post, ‘The Snake and the Mirror Summary Class 9 English’, we’ll read the short and detailed summary of Class 9th NCERT English Beehive chapter 5, The Snake and the Mirror by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
The Snake and the Mirror About the Lesson
The Snake and the Mirror is a humorous yet thought-provoking short story written in the form of a narration. It tells the story of a doctor who recalls a frightening but funny incident from his youth when he was just starting his medical career. The lesson highlights human weaknesses like vanity, fear, and the desire to look attractive, while also showing the unpredictability of life. The mix of suspense and humour makes it both entertaining and meaningful.
The Snake and the Mirror About the author
The story is written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (1908–1994), one of the most famous writers in Malayalam literature. Known as the “Beypore Sultan,” he was admired for his simple language, wit, and ability to portray ordinary people with extraordinary depth. His works often reflect human emotions, struggles, and humour. He wrote novels, short stories, and essays, and remains one of India’s most loved literary figures.
Short Summary of The Snake and the Mirror
A young, vain doctor lived alone in a small rented room. One night, while admiring himself in the mirror and dreaming of marrying a rich lady doctor, a snake coiled around his arm. He sat frozen with fear, expecting death. Suddenly, the snake noticed its reflection in the mirror and moved away, giving the doctor a chance to escape. When he returned the next morning, his room had been robbed, leaving only his dirty vest behind. The story humorously highlights human vanity and fear.
The Snake and the Mirror Summary
The story is narrated in first person by a doctor who recalls a frightening yet humorous incident from his younger days. At that time, he had just started his medical practice and was living alone in a small rented room without electricity. The room was infested with rats and sparsely furnished with only one chair, a table, and a mirror.
One hot summer night, the doctor returned to his room after dinner. He lit the kerosene lamp, took off his shirt, and sat on the chair. The room was very hot, so he opened the window. While sitting there, he began reflecting on his life. He was unmarried and not earning much, yet he often thought about how he looked and admired himself in the mirror.
He dreamed of improving his appearance. He thought of shaving daily, growing a thin moustache, and wearing an attractive smile. He was vain and wished to marry a rich lady doctor with a good medical practice so that he could lead a comfortable life. He continued admiring himself in the mirror and even adjusted his hair with pride.
While he was lost in such thoughts, suddenly a snake fell from the ceiling and landed on his shoulder. Before he could react, the snake coiled itself around his left arm, spreading its hood just inches away from his face. The doctor froze with fear, certain that he would die. He sat still, sweating and praying silently.
Unexpectedly, the snake turned its head towards the mirror placed on the table. It seemed struck by its own reflection. Slowly, it uncoiled from the doctor’s arm and crawled onto the table near the mirror, apparently fascinated by its image. This gave the doctor a chance to escape. Without making any noise, he rushed out of the room and ran into the street.
That night, he slept at a friend’s house. The next morning, when he returned to his room with companions, he found that his belongings had been stolen. His clothes, books, and other things were gone. Only the vest he had been wearing the previous night was left behind. With humour, the doctor admitted that perhaps the thief had left it behind out of pity, or because it was too dirty to steal.
Key Points of the Story
- Shows human weaknesses: vanity, pride, fear.
- Mix of suspense and humour – frightening incident ends in a comical way.
- The snake, instead of harming the doctor, gets absorbed in its own reflection.
- The doctor himself becomes the object of laughter when he confesses his foolishness.
Read Also: The Snake and the Mirror NCERT Solutions
View all Chapter: Class 9th English NCERT Solutions