Chapter 3 – Part I: His First Flight
by Liam O’Flaherty
Textual Questions (Page No. 36)
Q1. 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?
Ans. The young seagull was afraid to fly because he thought his wings would not support him and he would fall into the deep sea below. Yes, it is natural for young birds to hesitate before flying; some are more timid than others. Similarly, a human baby also faces difficulty and fear while taking its first steps, but encouragement and practice help them overcome it.
Q2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
Ans. The sight of food maddened him because he was starving after not eating for 24 hours. His mother tempted him with a piece of fish but stopped short of giving it to him. Hunger overpowered his fear, and he dived to grab the food, which forced him to fly.
Q3. “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
Ans. His parents wanted him to learn the essential skill of flying for survival. They threatened him with starvation and tried to lure him with food to push him to overcome his fear. Their intention was to encourage him to be independent.
Q4. Have you ever had a similar experience, where your parents encouraged you to do something that you were too scared to try?
Ans. Yes. Many of us hesitate to ride a bicycle, swim, or speak in public for the first time. Parents often encourage us, sometimes with strictness and sometimes with persuasion, to overcome fear. These efforts help us succeed eventually.
Q5. 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. Success is never guaranteed, but trying is important. Like the young seagull, we need courage to attempt new things. Even if we fail, trying gives us confidence, and eventually we succeed.
Extra Questions & Answers
Short Answer Type
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Why didn’t the young seagull fly with his brothers and sister?
Because he lacked courage and was afraid his wings wouldn’t support him. -
How did the seagull’s family treat him when he refused to fly?
They scolded, threatened, and taunted him. Finally, they left him alone to starve. -
What role did hunger play in the story?
Hunger acted as a driving force, compelling him to dive for food and unknowingly take his first flight. -
What happened when the seagull finally dived for the fish?
His fear vanished as he discovered his wings could support him, and he began to fly joyfully. -
What lesson does the story convey?
That fear can only be overcome by action, and independence comes when we face challenges bravely.
Long Answer Type
Q1. How did the young seagull overcome his fear of flying?
Ans. The young seagull overcame his fear through a combination of hunger, instinct, and encouragement from his family. Initially, he was terrified of the vast sea below and convinced his wings would not support him. His parents tried various means—scolding, threatening, and ignoring him. Finally, his mother used food as bait. When she flew close with a piece of fish but stopped short, hunger drove him to dive towards it. In that moment, instinct took over. He spread his wings, felt the wind beneath them, and realised he could fly. Fear gave way to exhilaration as he soared, dived, and joined his family in the sky. Hunger acted as the trigger, but courage and instinct enabled him to succeed.
Q2. “His First Flight” is not only about a bird but about all learners. Discuss.
Ans. The story symbolises the struggles faced by anyone learning a new skill or becoming independent. Just as the young seagull was afraid of flying, humans too hesitate before taking new steps—whether it is walking, swimming, speaking, or facing challenges in life. Like the seagull’s parents, mentors and parents often push us out of comfort zones. Failure or fear is natural, but persistence and necessity help us succeed. The story teaches that growth requires effort, courage, and sometimes the push of hunger or need. It reflects a universal truth—that success comes to those who dare to try. Thus, the seagull’s flight mirrors human journeys of learning and independence.
Summary of the Story
His First Flight by Liam O’Flaherty is a heart-touching story about a young seagull who is afraid of taking his first flight. It illustrates the universal truth that growth requires courage, and fear must be conquered with determination.
The young seagull lived with his parents, two brothers, and a sister on the edge of a cliff. His siblings had already flown the previous day, but he hesitated. When he tried to run to the brink and flap his wings, the vast sea below terrified him. He was certain that his wings would fail and that he would fall into the depths. So, he hid under the ledge in fear. His family encouraged him, scolded him, and even threatened to let him starve, but he could not gather the courage.
The next day, he watched as his family enjoyed flying. They perfected the art of soaring and diving, and his elder brother even caught his first herring. The young seagull felt miserable and lonely as hunger gnawed at him. His parents ignored him, hoping he would be compelled to take flight.
The sun blazed, and he was weak from hunger. Then he saw his mother tearing at a piece of fish, sharpening her beak on the rock. Maddened by hunger, he begged her for food. She flew across to him with the fish, but just as she was about to reach him, she stopped mid-air, holding the food just out of reach. Desperate, he dived forward to snatch it.
That moment changed everything. Though he plunged outward in terror, he instinctively spread his wings. He felt the wind beneath them, lifting him. The fear vanished as he realised he was flying. His parents and siblings cheered him on, soaring and diving around him. Joy replaced his fear as he curved, soared, and shrieked in delight.
He soon reached the sea and attempted to land, but when his feet sank, he panicked. His family reassured him, and he found that he could float on the water. His hunger was satisfied as they offered him fish, and his pride soared with his first successful flight.
The story is symbolic of the struggles all beings face in overcoming fear and learning independence. It highlights the role of encouragement, hunger (as motivation), and instinct in helping one succeed. The young seagull’s transformation from cowardice to courage mirrors human growth when facing challenges like walking, speaking, or learning new skills.
In essence, the story teaches that fear is natural but must be conquered. Once the leap is taken, courage grows, and the joy of achievement replaces fear. The young seagull’s first flight becomes a universal metaphor for stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing independence.
✒️ Biography of Liam O’Flaherty
Liam O’Flaherty (1896–1984) was an Irish novelist and short-story writer, best known for his realistic portrayal of Irish life, struggles, and the human condition. Born on 28 August 1896 on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, O’Flaherty grew up in a traditional Gaelic-speaking community. His upbringing amidst rugged landscapes and fishing communities profoundly shaped his literary imagination.
Educated in Galway and later at University College Dublin, he developed a love for literature and history. However, his life took a dramatic turn when he enlisted in the Irish Guards during World War I. His wartime experiences deeply scarred him, leaving him with shell shock (now known as PTSD). This trauma influenced his writing, which often carried themes of violence, survival, and the fragility of life.
O’Flaherty’s literary career flourished in the 1920s and 1930s. His works reflected Irish rural life, social conflicts, and the struggles of ordinary people. He wrote novels, short stories, and political essays. Some of his most acclaimed works include The Informer (1925), which won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and was later adapted into an Oscar-winning film by John Ford. Other notable works are Skerrett (1932) and Famine (1937), which depicted Ireland’s Great Famine with stark realism.
He was also a socialist and politically outspoken, often engaging with themes of class struggle and injustice. His writing style was marked by simplicity, vivid descriptions, and emotional intensity. He could capture both the beauty of nature and the harshness of human life with equal skill.
“His First Flight,” one of his most widely read short stories, departs from political themes and instead focuses on personal growth, courage, and instinct. By using a young seagull as the protagonist, O’Flaherty created an allegory that resonates universally. It reflects his deep understanding of human psychology and nature’s lessons.
Despite literary success, O’Flaherty lived a turbulent life. He struggled with poverty, political exile, and health issues. Nevertheless, he remained committed to his craft. In his later years, he lived quietly, continuing to write and reflect on Irish identity and struggles.
Liam O’Flaherty passed away on 7 September 1984 in Dublin. He left behind a rich legacy of novels and stories that portray human resilience, social struggles, and the challenges of life. His works, including His First Flight, continue to inspire readers worldwide by reminding us of the courage required to overcome fear and embrace independence.