His first flight/std 10/Personal Responses

HIS FIRST FLIGHT

His First Flight by Liam O'Flaherty is an inspiring story about a young seagull who is afraid to take his first flight. Despite his family’s encouragement, he hesitates, fearing that his wings won't support him. Eventually, hunger forces him to leap, and he discovers the thrill of flying. This story teaches us the importance of courage and self-belief.

1. Why do you think the young seagull was afraid to fly?
Ans: The young seagull was afraid to fly because he doubted his own abilities. He was scared that his wings wouldn't be able to support him, and he might fall into the sea. This fear of failure made him hesitant to try.

2. Have you ever felt afraid to try something new? How did you overcome it?
Ans: Yes, I felt afraid when I had to speak on stage for the first time. I practiced a lot and took deep breaths before starting. Once I began speaking, I realized it wasn’t as scary as I thought, and I felt more confident.

3. What role did the seagull's family play in encouraging him?
Ans: The seagull's family played a crucial role by showing support and even tempting him with food to encourage him to take his first flight. Their encouragement and example helped him overcome his fear.

4. What lesson can we learn from the seagull's experience?
Ans: The story teaches us that we should trust ourselves and take risks, even if we're scared. Sometimes, only by trying can we discover our true capabilities.

5. Do you think fear is a barrier to success? Why or why not?
Ans: Yes, fear can be a barrier because it stops us from trying new things. However, if we push past our fear, we often find that the challenge is not as difficult as we imagined.

6. What qualities do you think are important for overcoming challenges?
Ans: I think courage, self-belief, and persistence are important for overcoming challenges. With these qualities, we can face difficulties and find success even in tough situations.

7. How did the young seagull feel after his first flight? Why was this feeling important?

Ans: After his first flight, the young seagull felt thrilled and proud. This feeling was important because it marked a moment of self-discovery and confidence, showing him that he was capable of more than he had believed.

8. Why do you think the young seagull’s hunger was a key factor in his decision to fly?

Ans: Hunger became a powerful motivation for the young seagull because it pushed him beyond his fear. His desire for food made him forget his self-doubt and take the risk to fly, demonstrating that sometimes necessity can drive us to overcome our fears.

9. Do you think family support is essential when facing fears? Why or why not?

Ans: Yes, I think family support is essential because they can encourage us and remind us of our strengths. The seagull's family motivated him by showing him that he could succeed, which helped him overcome his fear.

10. In what ways does this story relate to challenges in our own lives?

Ans: This story relates to our own lives because, like the young seagull, we all face situations where we fear failure. But if we take that first step, we often find that we are more capable than we thought. It reminds us that growth requires stepping out of our comfort zones.

These questions and responses help reflect on the theme of overcoming fear and finding confidence within oneself, which is central to His First Flight.