3.1. Two Stories about flying - His First Flight- Part 1 - Class 10- First Flight

Chapter: His First Flight 

Author: by Liam O’Flaherty

Textbook: First Flight 

Genre: Fiction

📝 Summary

The story revolves around a young seagull who is afraid to take his first flight. While his brothers and sister have already flown away, he remains alone on the ledge, terrified by the thought of falling. His parents try everything—from coaxing and scolding to threatening starvation—but the young bird cannot muster the courage to fly. He watches from afar as his family enjoys flying and catching fish. His hunger grows unbearable, especially when he sees his mother eating a fish and not sharing it with him. Finally, his desperation for food drives him to dive toward his mother who tempts him with a piece of fish. As he falls, he instinctively spreads his wings and to his surprise, starts flying. His fear disappears as he experiences the joy of flight. He joins his family in the sky, soaring and diving freely. By the end, he is no longer afraid and even floats on the sea with their support. His first flight becomes a moment of triumph and self-realization.

👤 Character Sketch:

The Young Seagull

The young seagull is timid, hesitant, and lacks confidence initially. Though physically capable of flying, he is mentally gripped by fear. He doubts that his wings will support him. Even as his siblings, younger and less physically developed, take flight, he refuses to try. However, hunger eventually forces him to act. Once he does, he discovers his own strength and courage. He transforms from a fearful, reluctant bird into a confident flyer. His journey symbolizes the power of overcoming one’s fears.

📚 Themes

✨ Literary Devices

📖 Title Justification

The title “His First Flight” is highly appropriate as it focuses on the young seagull’s first experience of flying. It is a significant moment in his life symbolizing courage, independence, and transformation. The story centers around this key event which leads to his growth from a scared, dependent bird into a confident, self-reliant one. Hence, the title beautifully captures the core message of the story.

✅ One-Mark Questions

1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?

   →  The young seagull was afraid to fly because he feared that his wings would not support him, and he would fall into the vast sea below.

   
   

2. What did the seagull’s parents do to force him to fly?

   → The seagull’s parents scolded and threatened him, and eventually left him alone on the ledge without food to force him to gather courage and fly.
   

3. What tempted the seagull to jump off the ledge?

   → The sight of a piece of fish in his mother’s beak, which she brought near him but did not give, tempted the hungry seagull to jump off the ledge.

   
   

4. How did the seagull feel during his flight?

   → At first, the young seagull felt terrified, but as he began to fly, he felt a sense of joy, confidence, and excitement at his new ability.
   

5. What was the seagull offered after his flight?

   → After his successful first flight, the young seagull was offered scraps of dogfish by his proud and cheering family.

   
   

✅ Three-Mark Questions

1. Describe how the young seagull's fear is portrayed in the story.

   → The young seagull's fear is depicted through his hesitation to take his first flight. Despite his siblings flying confidently, he was gripped by the fear that his wings wouldn’t support him, and he would fall into the sea. Every time he tried to move towards the edge, the height terrified him, and he retreated to the safety of the rock. His fear symbolizes the common hesitation people feel before trying something new and challenging.

   
   

2. What role did the mother play in encouraging the seagull to fly?

   → The mother seagull played a pivotal role in encouraging her son to fly. Aware of his hunger, she deliberately flew near him with a piece of fish and stopped just short of reaching him. The seagull, driven by desperation, leaped towards the food and ended up flying. This clever act by the mother highlights the importance of gentle pushes and tough love in helping others overcome fear.

   
   

3. How did the young seagull react once he was in the air? → Initially, the young seagull was filled with fear as he began to fall. However, as his wings spread out and caught the wind, he realized he could fly. His fear turned into excitement, and he started to soar, glide, and dive joyfully. He was welcomed by his family and experienced the thrill and pride of independence.
   

🧠 Value-Based Question

Q: What does this story teach us about fear and personal growth?→ “His First Flight” teaches us that fear is natural but should not stop us from trying new things. True growth happens when we face our fears. Just like the young seagull, we too can discover our strengths once we step out of our comfort zones. Support from others can help, but the decision to leap must be our own.

End

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