PAGE-1
UNIT-1-GLIMPSES OF GREATNESS
HIS FIRST FLIGHT by Liam O’Flaherty
The Author: Liam O’Flaherty (28 August 1896 to 7 September 1984) was born in Ireland. He was a great
novelist and short-story writer. Many of his works have the common theme of nature. He was interested in sea-life
and closely studied the life of seagulls (കടൽകാക്ക). The short story ‘His First Flight’ is one of his famous works. It
is about the nervousness (ആശങ്ക) we experience before doing something new.
Summary:
It was a family of six seagulls-father, mother, three brothers and a sister. They lived on the top of a ledge
(പാറക്കക്കട്ട്). The two elder brothers and the sister had already learned to fly. But the young seagull could not
collect enough courage to fly. He saw the wide sea miles down beneath him from the top of the ledge. He became
afraid. The parents had tried hard to get their young son to fly. They encouraged, scolded and threatened him. But
the young seagull thought his wings would not support him.
The parents left the youngest son alone on his ledge and flew away to another ledge at some distance. The
two elder brothers and sister went with them.
Now the baby seagull was alone on his ledge without food. He just watched his parents flying about with
his brothers and sister. His parents were giving them training in skimming the waves and diving for fish. He saw
his older brother catch his first herring (മത്തി) and eat it. The whole family laughed at the young seagull.
Twenty-four hours passed. The day was getting hot. The young seagull was hungry and tired. He felt the
heat of the sun. Last night he had found a dried piece of mackerel’s tail. He searched every inch of the ledge for
food. He found only some pieces of eggshell in his nest.
He began to trot (നടക്കുക) from one end of the ledge to the other. He was trying to reach his parents
without having to fly. But it was impossible. Each side of the ledge was steep-down; His parents were on another
rock. It was the wide sea between the two rocks. His father and siblings (സഹ ാദരങ്ങൾ) were busy with
themselves. Only his mother was looking at him. She was worried about her son.
The young seagull stood on one leg at the edge of the high rock. He closed his eyes and pretended to be
falling asleep. He was hungry for twenty four hours. He saw his mother tearing a piece of fish. The sight of food
maddened him. He cried with hunger. Mother seagull picked up a piece of fish and flew across to him. When she
reached just near her son, she became motionless in the air. She did not get down on the ledge. The young seagull
dived at the fish in his mother’s beak. Just then she flew upwards.
The young seagull lost his balance. He fell down from the rock into the space. Now he was in the open air.
He saw the wide sea beneath him. He became much frightened. The next moment, his wings spread outwards.
He flapped his wings again and again and started to fly. His family joined him in his first flight. He flew
upwards and then dived. His parents, brothers and sister flew around him. Finally he landed on the sea. Now he
was floating on water. He knew he would not sink. He was no longer afraid. His family praised him. They offered
him scraps of dog fish. He had made his first flight.
REVIEW of ‘His First Flight’
Liam O’Flaherty’s ‘His First Flight’ is one of his most famous works. It is a parable (a short moral story).
It symbolizes the nervousness we experience before doing something new. The theme is ‘Overcoming fears in
life’. We need to be independent and confident in life. We must not live away from family. Our family is a source of
inspiration and motivation. Parental guidance, encouragement and discipline have a major role in shaping the
future of children.
Mother seagull does the trick to get her young son to fly. Leaving him alone on the ledge without food did
not work well. She decided to exploit his hunger. A piece of fish right in front; he went for it, and he was in the air,
making his first flight. The baby seagull faced a crisis, a do-or-die situation, fall or fly. He had good wings. But he
was in a state of fear and ignorance. He had no belief in the strength of his wings. He knew their strength only
when his life was in danger.
, PAGE-2
Flaherty creates effective word pictures. We have the feeling that we see what we read. Each and every
movement of the birds is given in all its details. Bird life and habits are revealed clearly in the story.
Flaherty’s seagull is not a bird. It is every beginner, always afraid of taking the first step. The story gives
the message ‘Conquer fear; and we realize that we are born with wings’.
Questions & Answers:
1: What are the requirements to attain success in life?
Answer: To succeed in life means to achieve our life goals. We must know our potential (കഴിവ്). We need
to build self-confidence. It will help us set our goal in life. Good planning and hard work with patience should
follow. We must be ready to take risks. Motivation will help the start. Parental guidance and support are also
necessary.
2: identify the factors that prevented the seagull from flying and those that favoured his flight.
Answer: Failure: Lack of self confidence, fear and parents’ care.
Success: Need, hunger, motivation and attempt.
3. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight?
Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
Answer: The young seagull had the fear of falling into the sea. It is not a simple act of flying. It is about growing
independent. Any animal or bird, including humans, is afraid to take the first step. A child cries on his first day to
school. The child is going to face the outside world. Parents are not there to protect the child. So, the kid has some
fear. Once you enter the college, you are anxious in the first few days. But overcoming that nervousness will give
you confidence.
4. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to
finally fly?
Answer: If the seagull’s parents had continued to feed him, he would not have tried to fly. But hunger,
along with the sight of food, compelled him to fly and reach for the sky. Too much of help from parents will not do
good to children.
5. What lesson do you learn from this story?
Answer: The writer talks about a young seagull that is afraid to fly. Through the story gives the moral of
confidence and self-reliance. Parents cannot take the responsibility of looking after their children forever. So
everyone should try to become independent. No task is too difficult to achieve; but we must take risk and try.
6. Why do first attempts always appear difficult?
Answer: It is very difficult to do something for the first time because of the fear of failure. It always seems
impossible until it is done.
7. Prepare a write-up on your initial attempts at learning a new skill.
Answer: Experiences build our confidence. Like everyone, I too had difficult experiences in my high school
classes. I was very nervous on facing and talking to others. But when days passed, that day came. Each student
must make a speech. It was part of CE work. I was heartbroken when the teacher told us about the speech. I went
home and talked to myself looking at the mirror. I took a topic for speech and prepared. Then I presented my
speech before my family. Then that day came. I went to school. Then it was my turn. When my speech was over,
the class was filled with applause.
Questions
1. Read the following excerpt from the story, 'His First Flight' and answer the questions that follow.
He waited a moment in surprise, wondering why she did not come nearer and then maddened by hunger, he
dived at the fish with a loud scream; he fell outwards and downwards into space. His mother had swooped upwards.
As he passed beneath her, he heard the swish of her wings.
, PAGE-3
1. Who is ‘she' referred to here?
2. What prompted the young seagull to fly finally?
3. Write a paragraph about the role of parents in helping children to attain their goal.
2. Read the following excerpt from the story 'His First Flight' and answer the questions that follow.
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, abreast of the ledge, she halted, her legs hanging limp, her wings motionless, the piece
of fish in her beak almost within reach of his beak.
1. Who is the ‘He' in the excerpt?
2. Which word in the excerpt means 'stopped'?
3. What was the mother trying to do?
3. Read the following excerpt from the story 'His First Flight' and answer the questions that follow.
Only his mother was looking at him. She was standing on a little high hump on the plateau, her white breast
thrust forward.
1. Whose mother is referred to in the excerpt?
2. What is the implied meaning of the first sentence?
3. Write a note on the role of parents towards the well being of their children.
4. Liam O'Flaherty's 'His First Flight' makes the reader think about the kind of support given by parents to
make their children self-reliant and self-confident. After reading the story, you decide to communicate your
feelings to your friend abroad. Draft an e-mail to send to him/her. (Word limit: 40 to 50 words)
5. Fill in the blanks in the following passage choosing the appropriate words given in the box.
but, then, and, more
The a monstrous terror seized him....(a)....his heart stood still. He could hear nothing. ....(b)....it only lasted a moment.
=======================================================================================
LESSON-2: I WILL FLY - Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
This is a speech by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, to a group of school students at
Hyderabad. He talks about being successful and unique in life.
Summary:
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is talking on the topic ‘I am born with wings’. If we desire strongly and work, we
can make anything happen. No youth today needs to fear about the future. The youth has always contributed
much to make the world a better one. The ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth.
Dr. Kalam describes an incident.
The year before, he went to a village to inaugurate the programme Sasthrayaan (Science Propagation).
Sasthrayaan aimed at preparing about 2000 students from different schools to become engineers, scientists, doctors,
managers and civil servants. This action would also empower two thousand families of the village. Five thousand
students and their family members were the audience. Dr. Kalam talked to them on the topic ‘Science Empowers
Nation’.
After the talk, a teenager asked a shivering question. He came from a far away village and was nervous. The
boy said he wanted to become a marine engineer. But he had not gained any confidence even after years of education.
He wanted to know what he should do for his dream.
It was the most difficult question Dr. Kalam had since received. He valued the question because it reflected the
fear of many a youth.
(The boy’s question reveals that education fails in giving students the confidence that ‘I can do it’.)
Dr. Kalam’s answer to the boy was the beautiful poem ‘I Will Fly’. The poem was about having belief in our
own qualities and the desire to fly high.
, PAGE-4
(The poem is by Jalaluddin Rumi, the 13th century Persian Sufi poet.)
Dr. Kalam then discusses ‘how to become unique’. He supports the theory of individualism.
Every youth wants to be unique. Uniqueness is originality. But society wants the youth to become only
followers. To follow is to imitate. To be unique, we must have a great aim and fight hard. We must make our own
way in the world. That is a great challenge. Be adventurous, accept the challenge, aim high and experience a
different life.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
Question-1: The career guidance club of your school organizes a seminar on ‘Road to Success’. You are
asked to deliver the inaugural speech. Prepare the script of the speech.
Answer: INAUGURAL SPEECH
Respected teachers and my dear friends,
Aristotle said, ‘There is no royal road to learning.’ I change it-there is no royal road to success. To succeed
we need the right attitude, planning, and hard work. Look at the lives of great men. They knew at an early age
itself what they wanted out of life. They had high ideals. They knew their potential. They formed their lives in new
ways. Thus, they contributed much to the society. We need to know our potential and find the opportunities to
develop and use it. This is what career guidance aims at. I inaugurate this seminar with the hope that it will help
us set an aim and succeed in life.
Thank you.
Qn-2: Draft an e-mail to your friend studying abroad communicating to him Dr. Kalam’s message in ‘I Will Fly’.
To
Cc
Bcc
Subject Dr. Kalam’s Message
Dear Molu,
Hope you are doing well in your studies. Recently I happened to read a speech by our former President Dr.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. It is his talk to some school students at Hyderabad. I really like that speech. It inspires
to think big. See what Dr. Kalam says:
Have no fear about the future. Have a strong desire to win.
Believe in your potential. Work hard and be original.
I have attached the full text of his speech. Read it and tell me how you feel about it.
With love,
Sali
----------------------------
Sali George
123 Main Street
Any Town
Kolkatha
Mbl:9999999999
Question-3: Read the following lines from the passage 'I Will Fly’.
I am born with potential.
I am born with goodness and trust. I am born with wings.
I am born with ideas and dreams. So, I am not meant for crawling,
I am born with greatness. I have wings, I will fly
I am born with confidence. I will fly and fly.
UNIT-1-GLIMPSES OF GREATNESS
HIS FIRST FLIGHT by Liam O’Flaherty
The Author: Liam O’Flaherty (28 August 1896 to 7 September 1984) was born in Ireland. He was a great
novelist and short-story writer. Many of his works have the common theme of nature. He was interested in sea-life
and closely studied the life of seagulls (കടൽകാക്ക). The short story ‘His First Flight’ is one of his famous works. It
is about the nervousness (ആശങ്ക) we experience before doing something new.
Summary:
It was a family of six seagulls-father, mother, three brothers and a sister. They lived on the top of a ledge
(പാറക്കക്കട്ട്). The two elder brothers and the sister had already learned to fly. But the young seagull could not
collect enough courage to fly. He saw the wide sea miles down beneath him from the top of the ledge. He became
afraid. The parents had tried hard to get their young son to fly. They encouraged, scolded and threatened him. But
the young seagull thought his wings would not support him.
The parents left the youngest son alone on his ledge and flew away to another ledge at some distance. The
two elder brothers and sister went with them.
Now the baby seagull was alone on his ledge without food. He just watched his parents flying about with
his brothers and sister. His parents were giving them training in skimming the waves and diving for fish. He saw
his older brother catch his first herring (മത്തി) and eat it. The whole family laughed at the young seagull.
Twenty-four hours passed. The day was getting hot. The young seagull was hungry and tired. He felt the
heat of the sun. Last night he had found a dried piece of mackerel’s tail. He searched every inch of the ledge for
food. He found only some pieces of eggshell in his nest.
He began to trot (നടക്കുക) from one end of the ledge to the other. He was trying to reach his parents
without having to fly. But it was impossible. Each side of the ledge was steep-down; His parents were on another
rock. It was the wide sea between the two rocks. His father and siblings (സഹ ാദരങ്ങൾ) were busy with
themselves. Only his mother was looking at him. She was worried about her son.
The young seagull stood on one leg at the edge of the high rock. He closed his eyes and pretended to be
falling asleep. He was hungry for twenty four hours. He saw his mother tearing a piece of fish. The sight of food
maddened him. He cried with hunger. Mother seagull picked up a piece of fish and flew across to him. When she
reached just near her son, she became motionless in the air. She did not get down on the ledge. The young seagull
dived at the fish in his mother’s beak. Just then she flew upwards.
The young seagull lost his balance. He fell down from the rock into the space. Now he was in the open air.
He saw the wide sea beneath him. He became much frightened. The next moment, his wings spread outwards.
He flapped his wings again and again and started to fly. His family joined him in his first flight. He flew
upwards and then dived. His parents, brothers and sister flew around him. Finally he landed on the sea. Now he
was floating on water. He knew he would not sink. He was no longer afraid. His family praised him. They offered
him scraps of dog fish. He had made his first flight.
REVIEW of ‘His First Flight’
Liam O’Flaherty’s ‘His First Flight’ is one of his most famous works. It is a parable (a short moral story).
It symbolizes the nervousness we experience before doing something new. The theme is ‘Overcoming fears in
life’. We need to be independent and confident in life. We must not live away from family. Our family is a source of
inspiration and motivation. Parental guidance, encouragement and discipline have a major role in shaping the
future of children.
Mother seagull does the trick to get her young son to fly. Leaving him alone on the ledge without food did
not work well. She decided to exploit his hunger. A piece of fish right in front; he went for it, and he was in the air,
making his first flight. The baby seagull faced a crisis, a do-or-die situation, fall or fly. He had good wings. But he
was in a state of fear and ignorance. He had no belief in the strength of his wings. He knew their strength only
when his life was in danger.
, PAGE-2
Flaherty creates effective word pictures. We have the feeling that we see what we read. Each and every
movement of the birds is given in all its details. Bird life and habits are revealed clearly in the story.
Flaherty’s seagull is not a bird. It is every beginner, always afraid of taking the first step. The story gives
the message ‘Conquer fear; and we realize that we are born with wings’.
Questions & Answers:
1: What are the requirements to attain success in life?
Answer: To succeed in life means to achieve our life goals. We must know our potential (കഴിവ്). We need
to build self-confidence. It will help us set our goal in life. Good planning and hard work with patience should
follow. We must be ready to take risks. Motivation will help the start. Parental guidance and support are also
necessary.
2: identify the factors that prevented the seagull from flying and those that favoured his flight.
Answer: Failure: Lack of self confidence, fear and parents’ care.
Success: Need, hunger, motivation and attempt.
3. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight?
Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
Answer: The young seagull had the fear of falling into the sea. It is not a simple act of flying. It is about growing
independent. Any animal or bird, including humans, is afraid to take the first step. A child cries on his first day to
school. The child is going to face the outside world. Parents are not there to protect the child. So, the kid has some
fear. Once you enter the college, you are anxious in the first few days. But overcoming that nervousness will give
you confidence.
4. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to
finally fly?
Answer: If the seagull’s parents had continued to feed him, he would not have tried to fly. But hunger,
along with the sight of food, compelled him to fly and reach for the sky. Too much of help from parents will not do
good to children.
5. What lesson do you learn from this story?
Answer: The writer talks about a young seagull that is afraid to fly. Through the story gives the moral of
confidence and self-reliance. Parents cannot take the responsibility of looking after their children forever. So
everyone should try to become independent. No task is too difficult to achieve; but we must take risk and try.
6. Why do first attempts always appear difficult?
Answer: It is very difficult to do something for the first time because of the fear of failure. It always seems
impossible until it is done.
7. Prepare a write-up on your initial attempts at learning a new skill.
Answer: Experiences build our confidence. Like everyone, I too had difficult experiences in my high school
classes. I was very nervous on facing and talking to others. But when days passed, that day came. Each student
must make a speech. It was part of CE work. I was heartbroken when the teacher told us about the speech. I went
home and talked to myself looking at the mirror. I took a topic for speech and prepared. Then I presented my
speech before my family. Then that day came. I went to school. Then it was my turn. When my speech was over,
the class was filled with applause.
Questions
1. Read the following excerpt from the story, 'His First Flight' and answer the questions that follow.
He waited a moment in surprise, wondering why she did not come nearer and then maddened by hunger, he
dived at the fish with a loud scream; he fell outwards and downwards into space. His mother had swooped upwards.
As he passed beneath her, he heard the swish of her wings.
, PAGE-3
1. Who is ‘she' referred to here?
2. What prompted the young seagull to fly finally?
3. Write a paragraph about the role of parents in helping children to attain their goal.
2. Read the following excerpt from the story 'His First Flight' and answer the questions that follow.
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, abreast of the ledge, she halted, her legs hanging limp, her wings motionless, the piece
of fish in her beak almost within reach of his beak.
1. Who is the ‘He' in the excerpt?
2. Which word in the excerpt means 'stopped'?
3. What was the mother trying to do?
3. Read the following excerpt from the story 'His First Flight' and answer the questions that follow.
Only his mother was looking at him. She was standing on a little high hump on the plateau, her white breast
thrust forward.
1. Whose mother is referred to in the excerpt?
2. What is the implied meaning of the first sentence?
3. Write a note on the role of parents towards the well being of their children.
4. Liam O'Flaherty's 'His First Flight' makes the reader think about the kind of support given by parents to
make their children self-reliant and self-confident. After reading the story, you decide to communicate your
feelings to your friend abroad. Draft an e-mail to send to him/her. (Word limit: 40 to 50 words)
5. Fill in the blanks in the following passage choosing the appropriate words given in the box.
but, then, and, more
The a monstrous terror seized him....(a)....his heart stood still. He could hear nothing. ....(b)....it only lasted a moment.
=======================================================================================
LESSON-2: I WILL FLY - Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
This is a speech by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, to a group of school students at
Hyderabad. He talks about being successful and unique in life.
Summary:
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is talking on the topic ‘I am born with wings’. If we desire strongly and work, we
can make anything happen. No youth today needs to fear about the future. The youth has always contributed
much to make the world a better one. The ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on the earth.
Dr. Kalam describes an incident.
The year before, he went to a village to inaugurate the programme Sasthrayaan (Science Propagation).
Sasthrayaan aimed at preparing about 2000 students from different schools to become engineers, scientists, doctors,
managers and civil servants. This action would also empower two thousand families of the village. Five thousand
students and their family members were the audience. Dr. Kalam talked to them on the topic ‘Science Empowers
Nation’.
After the talk, a teenager asked a shivering question. He came from a far away village and was nervous. The
boy said he wanted to become a marine engineer. But he had not gained any confidence even after years of education.
He wanted to know what he should do for his dream.
It was the most difficult question Dr. Kalam had since received. He valued the question because it reflected the
fear of many a youth.
(The boy’s question reveals that education fails in giving students the confidence that ‘I can do it’.)
Dr. Kalam’s answer to the boy was the beautiful poem ‘I Will Fly’. The poem was about having belief in our
own qualities and the desire to fly high.
, PAGE-4
(The poem is by Jalaluddin Rumi, the 13th century Persian Sufi poet.)
Dr. Kalam then discusses ‘how to become unique’. He supports the theory of individualism.
Every youth wants to be unique. Uniqueness is originality. But society wants the youth to become only
followers. To follow is to imitate. To be unique, we must have a great aim and fight hard. We must make our own
way in the world. That is a great challenge. Be adventurous, accept the challenge, aim high and experience a
different life.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
Question-1: The career guidance club of your school organizes a seminar on ‘Road to Success’. You are
asked to deliver the inaugural speech. Prepare the script of the speech.
Answer: INAUGURAL SPEECH
Respected teachers and my dear friends,
Aristotle said, ‘There is no royal road to learning.’ I change it-there is no royal road to success. To succeed
we need the right attitude, planning, and hard work. Look at the lives of great men. They knew at an early age
itself what they wanted out of life. They had high ideals. They knew their potential. They formed their lives in new
ways. Thus, they contributed much to the society. We need to know our potential and find the opportunities to
develop and use it. This is what career guidance aims at. I inaugurate this seminar with the hope that it will help
us set an aim and succeed in life.
Thank you.
Qn-2: Draft an e-mail to your friend studying abroad communicating to him Dr. Kalam’s message in ‘I Will Fly’.
To
Cc
Bcc
Subject Dr. Kalam’s Message
Dear Molu,
Hope you are doing well in your studies. Recently I happened to read a speech by our former President Dr.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. It is his talk to some school students at Hyderabad. I really like that speech. It inspires
to think big. See what Dr. Kalam says:
Have no fear about the future. Have a strong desire to win.
Believe in your potential. Work hard and be original.
I have attached the full text of his speech. Read it and tell me how you feel about it.
With love,
Sali
----------------------------
Sali George
123 Main Street
Any Town
Kolkatha
Mbl:9999999999
Question-3: Read the following lines from the passage 'I Will Fly’.
I am born with potential.
I am born with goodness and trust. I am born with wings.
I am born with ideas and dreams. So, I am not meant for crawling,
I am born with greatness. I have wings, I will fly
I am born with confidence. I will fly and fly.
