Introduction: Two Stories about Flying - 1 - Class 10 PDF Download

About the Author- Liam O’Flaherty
Liam O’Flaherty – A Short Biography

Liam 0′ Flaherty was an Irish novelist and short story writer. He was born on 28 August 1896 and breathed his last on 7 Sept. 1984. He was born in a remote village of Gort Nag Capall in Galway. In 1908, he went to Rockwell College. He became a popular literary figure with his best selling novel ‘The Informer (1925). The next novel Return of the Brute was also a great success. 0’ Flaherty will be remembered as a major voice in the Irish literary renaissance.

INTRODUCTION

This is an imaginary story. The story conveys the message that one learns by taking courage and not by sitting idle. A young seagull is fed lovingly by his parents. But when the time comes for him to fly, he feels afraid. His parents try many tricks to teach him to fly. But he is so afraid that he refuses to fly. At last, his mother hits upon a plan. She tempts him with food in her beak. But she only flies near his ledge but does not and there. In order to get food, the hungry seagull comes to the edge of the rock and falls from it. At first, he is terrified but then he opens his wings and starts flying. He is happy to note that he did not fall in the sea. In this way, the young seagull learns how to fly.

THE THEME OF THE STORY

`His First Flight’ is a story of hesitation, trial and error and finally getting success in the end. It is an interesting story of a hesitant and timid seagull learning the art of flying. While his two brothers and sister had already learnt flying, his fear and hesitation stopped him from doing so. His diving at the fish due to hunger proved a blessing in disguise. After a shaky start, he spread out his wings and started flying upwards and downwards. It was his first flight. The author gives a message that no one attains success instantly. Repeated trials and errors lead him to success.

Word-Meanings

Seagull =a seabird (समुद्री पक्षी); ledge = a part of a rock that is jutting out (शिखाफलक);brink= edge (किनारा); flap = move (फड़फड़ाना); expanse = stretch (फैलाव); beneath = under (के नीचे);muster = gather (इकठ्ठा करना); courage = boldness (साहस); desperate = full of disappointment (निराशा पूर्ण); Shrilly = in a sharp voice (तीखी आवाज़); upbraiding = rebuking (डाँटना); watched = saw (देखा);perfecting = making perfect (पूर्ण करना); skim = touch lightly (हल्के से छूना); herring = fish (मछली); devour= eat (खाना); cackle = sound of a bird (पक्षी की आवाज़); plateau = level stretch on a mountain (पठार); cliff= hill (पहाड़ी). taunting = mocking (व्यंग्य करना); cowardice = lack of courage (कायरता); ascending = rising (उठना); blazing = burning (जलना); Pretended = made a show (दिखावा किया); dozing = sleeping (ऊँघना); preening = dressing (सवारना); hump = raised rock (उठी हुई चट्टान); scrapped = rubbed (रगड़ना); whet = sharpen (तीखा करना);screamed = cried (चिल्लाया); derisively = scornfully (निंदा से); plaintively = sadly (उदासी से) ;l uttered = spoke (बोला); leaned = bent forward (आगे झुका) ।