His First Flight question Answer

Thinking about the Text

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 others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps? 

Ans. The young seagull was afraid to fly because he felt his wings would never support him. He was too timig about flying. I think most of the young birds are afraid to make their first flight, but some birds are more timid than others. A human baby also finds it challenging when it takes its first steps.

2. "The sight of the food maddened him." What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?

Ans.This suggests that the seagull was very hungry. He was afraid of flying, so he was not able to arrange food for himself. His parents also threatened to let him stay hungry. The sight of the food compelled him to finally take his first flight.

3. "They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly." Why did the seagull's father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly? 

Ans.The seagull's father and mother threatened him and beckoning to him to fly because they wanted him to gather some courage to fly as he was afraid of flying.

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 may vary to students !

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?

Ans: It is important for us to try, regardless of a possibility of failure Sometimes, it seems that in a particular task, success is guaranteed, yet it has to be learnt and practised with constant efforts.

Some other important Questions

1. Where did the young seagull sit alone? What did he watch from there?

Ans. The young seagull sat alone at the edge of the ledge watching his two brothers and his little sister flying over the sea and learning to dive for fish with their parents.

2. How were the two brothers and the sister different from the young seagull?

Ans. The young seagull was timid, and afraid of flying while his two brothers and his sister were courageous. They started learning to fly and catch fish with their parents.

3. How did the mother seagull forced the young seagull to fly?

Ans. His mother picked up a piece of the fish and flew near the seagull, but she did not give him food. She halted just opposite to him. As the seagull was hungry, he dived at the fish, forgetting his fear of flying. He made a successful first flight.

4. What was the reaction of the young seagull's family members on his first flight?

Ans. The family was very happy. His parents and his brothers and sister were screaming, praising him. They were offering him pieces of dog-fish.