Before Reading

Like the Sun

Short Story by R. K. Narayan

How important is telling

the TRUTH?
RL 1 Cite evidence to support
inferences drawn from the
text. RL 3 Analyze how complex
characters develop and interact
with others. RL 4 Determine the
connotative meaning of words
and phrases. RL 6 Analyze a
particular point of view reflected
in a work of world literature.

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We all know that honesty is the best policy. But sometimes the
truth hurts peoples feelings. In Like the Sun, a schoolteacher is
determined to be honest, even if it puts a strain on his relationships.
QUICKWRITE In a brief letter to an advice columnist, describe a
situation in which telling the truth would have painful consequences.
Then exchange letters with a partner and write a response to your
partners letter.

Meet the Author

text analysis: moral dilemma
The conflict in many short stories and longer works of fiction
revolves around a characters moral dilemma. A character
facing a moral dilemma must choose between two or more
morally questionable options; for example, someone might
have to choose between betraying a friends trust or breaking
a school rule. A character may also struggle to determine the
right course of action or disagree with his or her society over
what moral behavior is.
As you read a work of fiction that focuses on a moral dilemma,
think about
the moral choice the character faces
what choice others expect the character to make
the moral expectations of the characters culture or country
In Like the Sun, the main character is concerned about the
morality of telling the absolute truth. As you read, consider
how this dilemma creates conflict for him, and think about the
choices you would make if you were in his place.

reading strategy: predict

While reading a story, have you ever predicted that it would
have a happy ending or that a character would get into
trouble? When you make predictions, you guess what will
happen in a story by using text clues and your own knowledge
and experience. Even if your guesses turn out to be wrong, the
process of making predictions can help you pay attention to
important details.
As you read Like the Sun, make predictions about the
consequences of the main characters decision to tell the full
truth. Use a chart like the one shown.
Event

Prediction

Outcome

Sekhars wife serves

him breakfast.

He will criticize her

cooking and hurt her
feelings.

She winces after he

says the food isnt
good.

R. K. Narayan
19062001
Love of English
Born in southern India, R. K. Narayan
(n-rQyn) is widely considered one of his
countrys greatest authors. As a young man,
Narayan tried his hand at several professions,
including teaching. When he decided to
become a fiction writer in the 1930s, he chose
to write in English, which was unusual for
Indian writers at the time. In an interview
Narayan noted, I was never aware that I was
using a different, a foreign, language when I
wrote in English, because it came to me very
easily. . . . And its so transparent it can take
on the tint of any country.
One Setting Fits All
Narayan set most of his novels and short
stories in the fictional town of Malgudi,
which was based in part on the place where
he grew up. He created Malgudi for his first
novel, Swami and Friends (1935). As I sat in a
room nibbling my pen and wondering what
to write, he recalled, Malgudi with its little
railroad station swam into view.

background to the story

School Life in India
Sekhar, the main character in Like the Sun,
is a teacher in India, where schools are
modeled on the British educational system.
A headmaster, rather than a principal, is
in charge of a school. Students progress
through forms, which are the equivalent of
grades in the United States. Sekhar teaches
the third form, or ninth grade.

Author
Online
Complete the activities in your Reader/Writer Notebook.

Go to thin
thinkcentral.com..
KEYWORD: HML10-219
KEYWORD

219

Like theSun
R. K. Naray
Narayan
y an

T
10

20

ruth, Sekhar reflected, is like the sun. I suppose no human being can ever
look it straight in the face without blinking or being dazed. He realized that,
morning till night, the essence of human relationships consisted in tempering
truth so that it might not shock. This day he set apart as a unique dayat
least one day in the year we must give and take absolute Truth whatever may
happen. Otherwise life is not worth living. The day ahead seemed to him full
of possibilities. He told no one of his experiment. It was a quiet resolve, a
secret pact between him and eternity.
The very first test came while his wife served him his morning meal. He
showed hesitation over a titbit, which she had thought was her culinary1
masterpiece. She asked, Why, isnt it good? At other times he would have
said, considering her feelings in the matter, I feel full up, thats all. But today
he said, It isnt good. Im unable to swallow it. He saw her wince and said to
himself, Cant be helped. Truth is like the sun. a
His next trial was in the common room when one of his colleagues came up
and said, Did you hear of the death of so-and-so? Dont you think it a pity?
No, Sekhar answered. He was such a fine man the other began. But
Sekhar cut him short with: Far from it. He always struck me as a mean and
selfish brute.
During the last period when he was teaching geography for Third Form
A, Sekhar received a note from the headmaster: Please see me before you go
home. Sekhar said to himself: It must be about these horrible test papers.
A hundred papers in the boys scrawls; he had shirked this work for weeks,
feeling all the time as if a sword were hanging over his head.
The bell rang, and the boys burst out of the class.
Sekhar paused for a moment outside the headmasters room to button up
his coat; that was another subject the headmaster always sermonized about.
He stepped in with a very polite Good evening, sir.

1. culinary (kyLPlE-nDrQC): having to do with cooking or the kitchen.

220

unit 2: character development

Examine the painting.

What details suggest the
setting of the story?

MORAL DILEMMA
Sekhar believes that
telling the truth is the
moral choice. Do you
think his wife would
agree? Why or why not?

Detail of The Dance of Krishna

(about 1650). Mewar, Rajasthan,
India. From a manuscript of the
Sur-Sagar. Opaque watercolor on
paper, 11 81/8. Collection
Gopi Krishna, Patna, India.

The headmaster looked up at him in a very friendly manner and asked,

30 Are you free this evening?
Sekhar replied, Just some outing which I have promised the children
at home
Well, you can take them out another day. Come home with me now.
Oh . . . yes, sir, certainly . . . And then he added timidly, Anything
special, sir?
Yes, replied the headmaster, smiling to himself . . . You didnt know my
weakness for music?
Oh, yes, sir . . .
Ive been learning and practicing secretly, and now I want you to hear me
40 this evening. Ive engaged a drummer and a violinist to accompany methis
is the first time Im doing it full-dress,2 and I want your opinion. I know it will
be valuable.
Sekhars taste in music was well-known. He was one of the most dreaded
music critics in the town. But he never anticipated his musical inclinations
would lead him to this trial. . . . Rather a surprise for you, isnt it? asked the
headmaster. Ive spent a fortune on it behind closed doors. . . . They started
for the headmasters house. God hasnt given me a child, but at least let him
not deny me the consolation of music, the headmaster said, pathetically, as
they walked. He incessantly chattered about music: how he began one day out
50 of sheer boredom; how his teacher at first laughed at him and then gave him
hope; how his ambition in life was to forget himself in music. b
At home the headmaster proved very ingratiating. He sat Sekhar on a red
silk carpet, set before him several dishes of delicacies, and fussed over him as if
he were a son-in-law of the house. He even said, Well, you must listen with a
free mind. Dont worry about these test papers. He added half humorously,
I will give you a weeks time.
Make it ten days, sir, Sekhar pleaded.
All right, granted, the headmaster said generously. Sekhar felt really
relieved nowhe would attack them at the rate of ten a day and get rid of
60 the nuisance.
The headmaster lighted incense sticks. Just to create the right atmosphere,
he explained. A drummer and a violinist, already seated on a Rangoon mat, were
waiting for him. The headmaster sat down between them like a professional
at a concert, cleared his throat, and began an alapana,3 and paused to ask,
Isnt it good Kalyani?4 Sekhar pretended not to have heard the question. The
headmaster went on to sing a full song composed by Thyagaraja5 and followed
it with two more. All the time the headmaster was singing, Sekhar went on
commenting within himself, He croaks like a dozen frogs. He is bellowing like
a buffalo. Now he sounds like loose window shutters in a storm. c
2. full-dress: complete in every respect.
3. alapana: improvisational Indian music in the classical style.
4. Kalyani: traditional Indian folk songs.
5. Thyagaraja: a famous Indian composer (17671847).

222

unit 2: character development

PREDICT
What conflict might arise
between Sekhar and the
headmaster? How do you
think Sekhar will react to
this conflict?

PREDICT
What will happen
if Sekhar expresses
his opinion of the
headmasters singing?

70

80

90

100

110

The incense sticks burnt low. Sekhars head throbbed with the medley of
sounds that had assailed his eardrums for a couple of hours now. He felt half
stupefied. The headmaster had gone nearly hoarse, when he paused to ask,
Shall I go on? Sekhar replied, Please dont, sir; I think this will do. . . . The
headmaster looked stunned. His face was beaded with perspiration. Sekhar felt
the greatest pity for him. But he felt he could not help it. No judge delivering
a sentence felt more pained and helpless. Sekhar noticed that the headmasters
wife peeped in from the kitchen, with eager curiosity. The drummer and the
violinist put away their burdens with an air of relief. The headmaster removed
his spectacles, mopped his brow, and asked, Now, come out with your
opinion. d
Cant I give it tomorrow, sir? Sekhar asked tentatively.
No. I want it immediatelyyour frank opinion. Was it good?
No, sir . . . Sekhar replied.
Oh! . . . Is there any use continuing my lessons?
Absolutely none, sir . . . Sekhar said with his voice trembling. He felt very
unhappy that he could not speak more soothingly. Truth, he reflected, required
as much strength to give as to receive.
All the way home he felt worried. He felt that his official life was not
going to be smooth sailing hereafter. There were questions of increment and
confirmation6 and so on, all depending upon the headmasters goodwill.
All kinds of worries seemed to be in store for him. . . . Did not
Harischandra7 lose his throne, wife, child, because he would speak nothing less
than the absolute Truth whatever happened? e
At home his wife served him with a sullen face. He knew she was still
angry with him for his remark of the morning. Two casualties for today, Sekhar
said to himself. If I practice it for a week, I dont think I shall have a single
friend left.
He received a call from the headmaster in his classroom next day. He went
up apprehensively.
Your suggestion was useful. I have paid off the music master. No one
would tell me the truth about my music all these days. Why such antics at my
age! Thank you. By the way, what about those test papers?
You gave me ten days, sir, for correcting them.
Oh, Ive reconsidered it. I must positively have them here tomorrow. . . .
A hundred papers in a day! That meant all nights sitting up! Give me a
couple of days, sir . . .
No. I must have them tomorrow morning. And remember, every paper
must be thoroughly scrutinized. f
Yes, sir, Sekhar said, feeling that sitting up all night with a hundred test
papers was a small price to pay for the luxury of practicing Truth. 

RL 4

Language Coach
Denotation/Connotation
Many words
have positive or
negative associations
(connotations). Reread
lines 7071. Do the words
throbbed and assailed
have negative or positive
connotations? Jot down
a synonym with more
neutral connotations for
each word.
d

MORAL
O
DILEMMA
What dilemma does
Sekhar face in this
moment? What are the
possible consequences
of each choice he could
make?

RL 6

WORLD LITERATURE
An allusion is a reference
to a famous person,
place, or event from
history, literature, or
mythology. In line 92,
Narayan makes an
allusion to Harischandra,
a legendary Hindu king.
Reread footnote 7, which
describes Harischandra.
How does this allusion
help you understand the
narrators culture, view
of himself, and his truth
telling?

CHARACTER AND
PLOT
How has Sekhars
truthfulness affected
his relationship with the
headmaster?

6. increment and conrmation: salary increases and job security.

7. Harischandra: a legendary Hindu king and the subject of many Indian stories. His name has come to
symbolize truth and integrity.

like the sun

223

Connect: Poem

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant

Emily Dickinson

224

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant

Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truths superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind

After Reading

Comprehension
1. Recall What does Sekhar decide to do for one day?
2. Recall How is Sekhar tested during the day?
3. Summarize What negative consequences result from Sekhars decision?

RL 1 Cite evidence to support

inferences drawn from the
text. RL 3 Analyze how
characters with conflicting
motivations develop and
interact with others.

Text Analysis
4. Analyze Character and Plot Which of Sekhars character traits most directly
influence the storys plot? Explain your answer.
5. Make Inferences Reread lines 98108. Do you think the headmaster is sincere
when he thanks Sekhar for his honesty? Why or why not?
6. Predict Look back at the predictions you recorded as you read. How close
were the predictions to what actually happened? Cite specific evidence that
influenced your predictions.
7. Moral Dilemma In The Possibility of Evil and Like the Sun, the main
characters both hold a moral position that brings them into conflict with their
communities. Compare and contrast the ways they respond to their moral
dilemmas. Do you think they make the right decisions? Why or why not?
8. Evaluate How successful was Sekhars experiment in telling the absolute
truth? Use evidence from the story to support your opinion.
9. Compare Literary Works The Possibility of Evil, Like the Sun, and Tell
all the Truth but tell it slant all show different perspectives on telling the
truth. What message about telling the truth does each work reveal? How are
the messages similar? How are they different? Fill in a chart like this one to
record your answer.
The Possibility of Evil

Like the Sun

Tell all the Truth . . .

Message about truth

Similarities
Differences

Text Criticism
10. Critical Interpretations When asked why the problems of characters are
often left unresolved at the end of his stories, Narayan responded, Life is like
that. We cannot manipulate life to suit fictional needs. Do you consider the
ending of Like the Sun to be realistic? Cite evidence to support your opinion.

How important is telling the TRUTH?

Would you speak only the truth for an entire day? Why or why not?
like the sun

225