This post provides an in-depth analysis of His First Flight by Liam O’Flaherty, a story that illustrates a young seagull’s fear and eventual success in taking his first flight. Discover the theme, summary, word meanings, and answers to comprehension questions. This guide aims to support students in mastering the concepts for their exams, especially with CBSE curriculum in mind.
Summary of ‘His First Flight’ by Liam O’Flaherty
His First Flight tells the inspiring story of a young seagull who is reluctant to take his first flight. Despite his family’s encouragement, he believes his wings are too weak to support him and fears the vast drop to the sea below. His siblings have successfully flown, and his parents now leave him alone on the ledge to motivate him to fly. Hungry and desperate, he watches as his mother brings food close to him but stops just out of his reach. Driven by hunger, he lunges towards the food, inadvertently launching into the air. In that critical moment, he realises his wings can hold him, and he begins to fly. With joy, he soars above the waves, buoyed by the wind, and is finally joined by his proud family, celebrating his first successful flight and newfound freedom.
Theme of ‘His First Flight’ by Liam O’Flaherty
The theme of His First Flight revolves around courage, fear, and independence. The story underscores how initial fears can prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. The young seagull’s journey represents the universal experience of overcoming fear to achieve freedom and self-reliance. The story also reflects parental guidance, which is vital in helping the young seagull—and by extension, all young beings—navigate their first experiences.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Seagull | A bird that typically lives near the sea |
| Beckoning | Calling or summoning |
| Shriek | A sharp, loud scream |
| Maddened | Made very angry or frustrated |
| Cajole | Persuade gently or with coaxing |
| ledge | a narrow horizontal shelf projecting from a wall or (here) a cliff |
| upbraiding | scolding |
| (to) skim | to move lightly just above a surface (here, the sea) |
| herring | a soft-finned sea fish |
| preening | making an effort to maintain feathers |
| (to) whet | to sharpen |
| derisively | in a manner showing someone that she/he is stupid |
| dizzy | an uncomfortable feeling of spinning around and losing one’s balance |
| curveting | leaping like a horse |
| banking | flying with one wing higher than the other |
Thinking about the Text
- 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?
The young seagull was afraid to fly because he feared falling and doubted his ability to keep himself airborne. While all young birds may experience fear initially, the extent varies; some are more courageous, while others are timid. Similarly, human babies often feel hesitant and fearful when taking their first steps due to the unknown challenge involved. - “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
This suggests that the young seagull’s hunger grew unbearable, driving him to desperation. When he saw his mother holding food just beyond his reach, his instinctual need for sustenance overcame his fear, and he leapt forward, eventually discovering that he could fly. - “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
The seagull’s parents recognised that flying was essential for his survival. Their shrill calls and gestures were attempts to encourage him to take flight and realise his capability, pushing him out of his comfort zone to face the challenge he was avoiding. - 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.
Yes, similar situations occur in many families, where parents encourage children to try new things, such as learning to ride a bicycle or speaking in front of a crowd. Often, these experiences are nerve-wracking at first but become easier with parental support and encouragement. - 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?
For humans, success is not always guaranteed, but trying is essential. The willingness to face challenges often leads to personal growth, regardless of the outcome. Parents encourage effort over outcome, as attempting new things helps build resilience.
Important Questions from His First Flight
Q1. What message does ‘His First Flight’ convey about overcoming fears?
A1. The story conveys that facing fears is essential for growth and independence. The young seagull’s journey illustrates that overcoming initial hesitations can lead to newfound strength and confidence.
Q2. Describe the role of the young seagull’s family in helping him learn to fly.
A2. The family plays a crucial role, encouraging, cajoling, and ultimately using hunger as a motivator. Their support and insistence help him break through his fear.
Q3. How does the young seagull’s fear relate to the fears experienced by humans?
A3. Just as the seagull fears flying, humans often fear new experiences. Overcoming these fears is a natural part of growth, which the story illustrates through the seagull’s experience.
Q4. Why is ‘His First Flight’ considered an inspiring story?
A4. The story is inspiring because it shows how fear can be conquered with courage and persistence. It resonates with anyone who has faced a challenging experience.
Speaking Activity
Group Presentation Topics for ‘His First Flight’ by Liam O’Flaherty
Now that we have explored the story of the young seagull’s first flight, it’s time to relate it to real-world concepts. Your teacher will divide the class into groups, and each group will research one of the following topics. Work together to prepare a presentation that you will share with the class. Here are some ideas to guide your group’s research and presentation:
1. Progression of Models of Airplanes
- Overview: Examine how aeroplane designs have evolved over time, from early models to modern jets.
- Key Points to Include:
- The Wright Brothers’ first aeroplane and how it achieved flight.
- Significant developments in aviation history, like World War-era planes, passenger jets, and stealth technology.
- How advancements in design and materials improved speed, safety, and efficiency.
- Suggested Visuals: Timeline of aeroplane models, photos of iconic planes, or videos of flight tests.
2. Progression of Models of Motorcars
- Overview: Explore the development of motorcars from their inception to the present day.
- Key Points to Include:
- The first cars powered by steam, electricity, and petrol.
- Important car models through the 20th century that marked shifts in design and technology.
- Innovations like electric and self-driving cars that have shaped the future of transportation.
- Suggested Visuals: Images of classic cars, a timeline showing the progression of car models, or videos demonstrating unique car features.
3. Birds and Their Wing Span
- Overview: Investigate different bird species and their varying wing spans, and how this affects their flight abilities.
- Key Points to Include:
- Compare birds with small wings, like sparrows, to birds with large wings, like albatrosses and eagles.
- Explain how wing span affects a bird’s flight distance, speed, and manoeuvrability.
- The relationship between wing span and habitat: why some birds have shorter wings for quick flights, while others have long wings for soaring.
- Suggested Visuals: Diagrams of different birds’ wing spans, images or videos of birds in flight, and a chart comparing wing span and flight abilities.
4. Migratory Birds — Tracing Their Flights
- Overview: Study migratory birds, focusing on why and how they travel long distances seasonally.
- Key Points to Include:
- Examples of migratory birds, such as the Arctic Tern, which travels between the Arctic and Antarctic.
- Reasons for migration: food, breeding, and weather patterns.
- How birds navigate, including the use of the Earth’s magnetic field and natural landmarks.
- Suggested Visuals: Maps of migratory routes, images of migratory birds, and a video showing migration journeys.
Writing
My First (and Hilarious) Attempts at Learning to Ride a Bicycle
Learning to ride a bicycle sounded easy enough—just two wheels, a bit of balance, and off you go, right? Oh, how wrong I was! My first attempt was more of a wobble-and-hope-for-the-best than a confident ride. My dad gave me a gentle push, but I was soon hurtling down the path like a mini roller coaster with zero control. With eyes wide and legs pedalling furiously, I had only one thought in mind: Avoid crashing!
Unfortunately, my bike had other plans. After managing to avoid a tree, a bush, and my neighbour’s cat, I found myself aiming straight for Mrs Gupta’s prized rose garden. In what I can only describe as a glorious fail, I toppled into a bush of thorny roses, legs flailing and hands clutching the handlebars like I was in a rodeo. Mrs Gupta’s face was priceless; my dignity, not so much.
By the end of my “training session,” I was covered in more scrapes and scratches than I’d ever thought possible. But, on the bright side, I’d perfected the art of falling with style! And after many more wobbly starts, bruised knees, and a few more run-ins with shrubs, I finally managed to stay upright long enough to make it down the street—without needing a rose bush to stop me!
Extract-Based MCQs for ‘His First Flight’ by Liam O’Flaherty
Extract 1:
“The young seagull was alone on his ledge. His two brothers and his sister had already flown away the day before. He had been afraid to fly with them. Somehow, when he had taken a little run forward to the brink of the ledge and attempted to flap his wings, he became afraid. The great expanse of sea stretched down beneath, and it was such a long way down—miles down.”
Questions:
- Why was the young seagull alone on the ledge?
- (a) He was waiting for his parents.
- (b) His family had left him behind.
- (c) He was afraid to fly.
- (d) He didn’t want to leave.
- What made the seagull afraid to fly?
- (a) His parents discouraged him.
- (b) He saw a predator below.
- (c) The long distance down to the sea.
- (d) The sight of his siblings flying.
- What does the phrase “great expanse of sea” signify in the extract?
- (a) The danger in the sea.
- (b) The vastness of the sea below.
- (c) A short flight distance.
- (d) The calmness of the ocean.
Answer Key:
- (c) He was afraid to fly.
- (c) The long distance down to the sea.
- (b) The vastness of the sea below.
Extract 2:
“He felt certain that his wings would never support him; so he bent his head and ran away back to the little hole under the ledge where he slept at night. Even when each of his brothers and his little sister, whose wings were far shorter than his own, ran to the brink, flapped their wings, and flew away, he failed to muster up the courage to take that plunge which appeared to him so desperate.”
Questions:
- What did the young seagull feel about his wings?
- (a) They were too short.
- (b) They were too heavy.
- (c) They were weak and would not support him.
- (d) They were powerful enough for flying.
- Where did the young seagull go after running away?
- (a) Towards his family.
- (b) Into the sea.
- (c) Into the nest under the ledge.
- (d) To the brink of the ledge.
- What prevented the seagull from taking flight?
- (a) Lack of strength in his wings.
- (b) Lack of courage and fear of failure.
- (c) The length of his wings.
- (d) His parents’ warnings.
Answer Key:
- (c) They were weak and would not support him.
- (c) Into the nest under the ledge.
- (b) Lack of courage and fear of failure.
Extract 3:
“His mother had picked up a piece of the fish and was flying across to him with it. He leaned out eagerly, tapping the rock with his feet, trying to get nearer to her as she flew across. But when she was just opposite to him, she halted, her wings motionless, the piece of fish in her beak, almost within reach of his beak.”
Questions:
- What did the mother seagull have in her beak?
- (a) A worm.
- (b) A piece of fish.
- (c) A small stone.
- (d) A piece of bread.
- How did the young seagull react to his mother bringing food?
- (a) He remained indifferent.
- (b) He moved away from her.
- (c) He eagerly leaned forward, tapping the rock.
- (d) He turned away to hide.
- Why did the mother seagull stop before giving him the fish?
- (a) To tease him.
- (b) To encourage him to make his first flight.
- (c) To prevent him from eating.
- (d) She wanted him to give up.
Answer Key:
- (b) A piece of fish.
- (c) He eagerly leaned forward, tapping the rock.
- (b) To encourage him to make his first flight.
Extract 4:
“Then a monstrous terror seized him and his heart stood still. He could hear nothing. But it only lasted a minute. The next moment he felt his wings spread outwards. The wind rushed against his breast feathers, then under his stomach and against his wings. He could feel the tips of his wings cutting through the air.”
Questions:
- What emotion did the young seagull initially feel when he took flight?
- (a) Excitement.
- (b) Confusion.
- (c) Terror.
- (d) Relief.
- What physical sensation did the seagull experience during his first flight?
- (a) Coldness on his feathers.
- (b) The wind rushing against his feathers and wings.
- (c) Pain in his wings.
- (d) A heavy feeling.
- What does “the tips of his wings cutting through the air” suggest?
- (a) The seagull was flying in a zig-zag pattern.
- (b) The seagull was gliding smoothly through the air.
- (c) The seagull was hitting obstacles.
- (d) The seagull’s wings were not spread fully.
Answer Key:
- (c) Terror.
- (b) The wind rushing against his feathers and wings.
- (b) The seagull was gliding smoothly through the air.
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