NCERT English Class 10 Chapter 3 - Two Stories about Flying (Part I His First Flight) Solution

Chapter 3 - Two Stories about Flying

Part I His First Flight
Writer of the story: Liam O' Flaherty
Thinking about the text:
Question 1: Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
Answer: The young seagull was afraid to fly because it was his first flight and he feared of falling and hurting himself. He thought that his wings would not support him while flying. Yes, it is natural that doing something for the first time is a bit challenging and fearful. All birds must be afraid to make their first flight. Similarly, a human baby is also afraid of taking the first step and finds it challenging when he /she learns to crawl or stand up without support.

Question 2: “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
Answer: The young seagull was very hungry. It was his hunger that ultimately compelled him to fly. His hunger intensified when he saw his mother tearing a piece of fish that lay at her feet. He cried to her, begging her to get some food. When his mother came towards him with food in her beak, he screamed with joy and anticipation. However, she stopped midway. He wondered why she did not come nearer. Not being able to resist or control his hunger any longer, he dived at the food in his mother’s beak. At that moment, his hunger overpowered his fear of the great expanse of the sea beneath the cliff. Finally, this plunge was followed by the natural reaction of his body and thus ended up making his ‘first flight’.

Question 3: “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
Answer:The young seagull’s parents had tried everything, but he was reluctant to fly due to fear of falling down. He looked at his brothers and sisters but wouldn’t make any efforts. That’s why the whole family had left him alone and threatened and cajoled him to come and take his first flight, but all their efforts were in vain.

Question 4: Have you ever had a similar experience, where your parents encouraged you to do something that you were too scared to try? Discuss this in pairs or groups.
Answer: Yes, I'd a similar experience while learning to ride a bicycle. During my initial attempts, I fell down every time and developed a fear of cycling which was difficult to overcome. No amount of provoking and cajoling would let me try again, but my parents encouraged me to overcome the fear and helped me. With their help, I ended my fear and developed confidence.

Question 5: In the case of a bird flying, it seems a natural act, and a foregone conclusion that it should succeed. In the examples you have given in answer to the previous question, was your success guaranteed, or was it important for you to try, regardless of a possibility of failure?
Answer: We face some problems in the initial stage while learning new skills. Due to the fear of failure, we hesitate to perform a task or to try something new. In case of the seagull his parents cajoled him to fly. In the example I have given in the previous answer, I was cajoled by my parents to learn cycling. So, at that stage, I was to learn cycling as it was very crucial that I overcame my fear.

Yes, my success was guaranteed because if someone is determined to do something then success is assured. Moreover, as said, practice makes man perfect.