His First Flight(Liam O Flaherty)- www.smashage.

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Textual Question Answers:

1) Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?

A)The young seagull was alone on his ledge.His two brothers and sisters had already flown away
the day before. When he tried to fly, fear conquered him.The sea stretched down beneath him. He
feared that it was miles down. He thought that his wings would never support him. So he bent his
head and ran back to the little hole where he slept at night.

2)What did the parents do to motivate the young bird when it failed to muster up enough courage
to fly?

A)They came around calling to him loudly. They scolded him and even threatened to starve him.

3)How did the parents support and encourage the young seagulls brothers and sister?

A)They flew about with them, trying to perfect them in the art of flight. They taught them how to
skim the waves and how to dive for fish.

4)Cite an instance which shows the pathetic condition of the young bird?

A)The young seagull felt the heat of the sun as he had not eaten anything since the previous night.
When he found a dried piece of mackerels tail at the far end of his ledge he rushed to get it.
However, there was not a single scrap of food left in it. He searched every inch, even the strawnest.
He searched even the pieces of eggshell. It was like eating a part of himself. This was the pathetic
condition of the young bird.

5)How did the bird try to reach its parents without having to fly?

A)He trotted back and forth from one end of the ledge to the other, trying to find some means of
reaching his parents without flying. But on each side of him the ledge ended in a sheer fall of
precipice with the sea under. There was a deep, wide crack between him and his parents.

6)Why could the seagull not succeed in its attempt?

A)The young seagull tried to find some means of reaching his parents without having to fly. But on
each side of him, the ledge ended in a sheer fall of precipice. And there was the sea beneath him.
There was nothing for him to walk on. There was no ledge and he was not able to fly.

7)Do you think that the young seagulls parents were cruel?

A)No, I dont think so. They were not cruel, but they were wise.

8)Can you justify the attitude of the parents?

A)The parents were right in what they did. They wanted to teach him the importance of confidence
and self-reliance. One cant depend on his parents all his life for his livelihood. He should learn to

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find food for himself once he reaches a certain stage of his life. We see the mother hen pecking and
driving away her chicks once they are grown.

10) What prompted the young seagull to fly finally?

A)It was his hunger that prompted the young seagull to fly finally. He was very hungry and the
mother would not give him the fish she had brought with her. She wanted him to fly to her to get it.

11)Why was the young bird terrified? How did it overcome its fear?

A)The young bird dived at the fish his mother was carrying. When he dived he fell outwards and
downwards into space. The wind rushed against his breast feathers and his stomach and wings. He
could feel the tips of his wings cutting through the air. He was not falling how. He was soaring. He
thus overcame his fear.

12)How did the family support the seagull?

A)The little seagull overcame its fear and made his first flight. He soared higher and higher flapping
his wings. Out of excitement, he cried Ga,Ga,Ga. His mother flew past him, her wings making a
loud noise. His father then flew over him screaming. His brothers and sister flew around him
soaring and diving. In these ways, his family supported the seagull.

14)Do you think that the birds parents loved him? Why?

A) The young seagull has two brothers and a sister. They all flew away the previous day. But, this
bird could not muster up courage to fly away. If they wanted, his parents could have fed him. But,
they refused to give him any food. They wanted him to fly and catch his own food. They even
threatened to let him starve. They did so only because they loved him.

ACTIVITY I(Read and respond):

What is the theme of the story?

Answer) His First Flight is a gripping and suspenseful story. It reads like a parable. Its central theme
is the importance of independence, self confidence, self-esteem and self-reliance. The need for
involvement in family life is also emphasized in the story. The account of the young seagulls initial
fright to fly like his brothers and sister, his final success and his parents role in it shows the authors
deep psychological insight to the human condition.

What do you think is the real crisis faced by the young bird?

Answer)The real crisis faced by young bird is one of difference and cowardiance. Although his two
brothers and sister showed the courage to flap their wings and fly away, lack of confidence and
courage prevented the little bird from following them. He lacked the urge for independence and self
reliance. At last his hunger made him fly. Like his family we are also happy at the sight.

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 His First Flight(Liam O Flaherty)- www.smashage.com

What is your impression of the reaction of the parents in the story?

Answer)The parents were unrelenting because they wanted to make the young bird confident and
self-reliant to face the challenges of life.

Do you think such expressions make the narrative more effective and engage your interest
and attention?

Answer)Yes, I do. Such expressions make the narrative more effective and engage our interest and
attention.

What is the message of the story?

Answer)The message of the story is that there is no gain without pain. It is impossible to reach at
the zenith and helm without sheer hard works.

ACTIVITY II(Review):

Based on the discussion, prepare a review of the story.

Answer)The story is a fine example of success based on motivation without which it is

impossible to progress and reach at the destination. The vital role is given by the parents and
family to overcome the difficulties, to set right the future of the young bird. This is being muted
out on children by parents everywhere to make their spouses really succesfull in life. The story
tells us the need of time to get into real action.

ACTIVITY III(Tree diagram):

Read the story once again. Identify the factors that prevented the seagull from flying and
those that favoured his flight. Now,complete the tree diagram

Answer)Seagulls life>>Failure>>Lack of confidence, Fear, Lack of courage

Seagulls life>>Success> Need, Encouragement, Daring, Perseverance

ACTIVITY IV(Think and respond):

Do you believe that you also can fly high in your life?

Answer) I believe that I can also fly high in my life, because I have the confidence in me.

What sort of support do you expect from your family?

Answer)I expect motivation and encouragement from my parents to accomplish my mission.

Can their support alone help you in fulfilling your ambition?

Answer)The support by my parents alone could not help me to fulfill my ambitions, I must have
mind set and desire.

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 His First Flight(Liam O Flaherty)- www.smashage.com

What do you think are the requirements to attain success in life?

Answer)

a) Confidence
b) Patience
c) Lust for learning
d) Listen to others
e) Energetic
f) Dynamic

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