“We’re Not Afraid to Die… If We can All be Together”
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. List the steps taken by the captain:
(i) To protect the ship when rough weather began.
Answer: When the weather became rough, the captain took several precautions to protect Wavewalker.
- He decided to slow down the boat.
- The storm jib was dropped.
- Heavy mooring ropes were looped across the stern.
- All important fastenings were secured.
- The crew went through their life-raft drill.
- Lifelines were attached.
- Everyone put on oilskins and life jackets.
These precautions were taken to prepare the boat and the people on board for the approaching storm.
(ii) To check the flooding of the water in the ship.
Answer: After the huge wave damaged the boat, the captain and crew worked continuously to control the flooding.
- Larry and Herb pumped out water continuously.
- The captain examined the damaged starboard side.
- He used canvas and other available materials to cover the large holes.
- He tried to divert most of the incoming water over the sides.
- When the existing pumps failed or became blocked, he located another electric pump.
- He connected the pump to an out-pipe and managed to reduce the water level.
These efforts helped prevent the boat from sinking.
2. Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January.
Answer: On January 4, the voyagers felt a temporary sense of relief. After about thirty-six hours of continuous pumping, they had managed to remove much of the water from the boat. However, water was still entering, and the crew had to keep pumping.
They were exhausted and hungry, but Mary managed to find some food, and they had their first proper meal in nearly two days. Their relief did not last long because the wind strengthened again and the waves began to rise.
By the morning of January 5, the situation looked extremely serious. The narrator went to comfort the children. Jon asked whether they were going to die, but he bravely added that he was not afraid if the whole family could remain together.
The adults were deeply worried and felt that the end might be near, yet they did not give up. They continued working, supporting one another and trying every possible method to keep the boat afloat.
3. Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text. Give a subtitle to each section.
Answer: The narration changes according to the mood and situation of the voyage.
Section I — A Hopeful Beginning
The story begins in a calm and confident manner. The narrator describes the family’s dream of repeating Captain James Cook’s round-the-world voyage. The boat had been carefully prepared and tested, and the journey began successfully.
Section II — The Struggle for Survival
The tone suddenly becomes tense and dramatic when the family encounters enormous waves and violent winds. The narration becomes fast and urgent as the captain and crew fight to save the damaged boat, pump out water and protect everyone on board.
Section III — Hope and Safe Arrival
In the final section, the tone becomes more hopeful and relaxed. After surviving the worst of the storm, the voyagers search for Ile Amsterdam. When the island is finally sighted, tension gives way to relief, happiness and gratitude.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
1. What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with danger?
Answer: The adults and the children reacted differently to danger.
The adults were fully aware of the seriousness of the situation. They felt fear and anxiety, but they continued working with courage and responsibility. The captain repaired the boat, planned their course and tried to control the flooding. Mary helped with the steering and cared for the family, while Larry and Herb worked continuously at the pumps.
The children, on the other hand, showed remarkable calmness and emotional strength. Sue did not complain about her injuries because she did not want to worry her parents. Jon accepted the possibility of death bravely and said that he was not afraid as long as the whole family stayed together.
Thus, the adults responded through action and responsibility, while the children showed courage through patience, trust and emotional strength.
2. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”?
Answer: The story shows that optimism can become a powerful source of strength during extreme danger.
Even when the boat was badly damaged, the narrator did not give up. He continued repairing the boat, operating the pumps and searching for a safe route. Larry and Herb worked tirelessly and remained cooperative. Mary supported the narrator and helped keep the family together.
The children also strengthened the adults emotionally. Jon’s brave words and Sue’s quiet endurance gave the parents renewed courage.
Their hope did not remove the danger, but it helped them remain calm, think clearly and keep working. In this way, optimism helped them survive one of the most dangerous experiences of their lives.
3. What lessons do we learn from such hazardous experiences when we are face-to-face with death?
Answer: Such experiences teach us several important lessons about life and human character.
We learn that courage, patience and presence of mind are essential in times of danger. Fear can weaken us, but calm thinking allows us to find solutions.
We also learn the importance of teamwork. The family and crew survived because everyone contributed according to their ability.
Another important lesson is that emotional support gives people strength. The courage of the children helped the adults remain hopeful.
Finally, such experiences teach us to value life, relationships and togetherness. Difficult situations often reveal a person’s true strength and character.
4. Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite of the risks involved?
Answer: People undertake adventurous expeditions because adventure gives them excitement, challenge and a sense of achievement.
Some people enjoy testing their courage, physical ability and endurance. Others wish to explore unknown places, experience nature closely or achieve something extraordinary.
Although such journeys involve danger, the challenge itself attracts adventurous people. Success gives them confidence, satisfaction and unforgettable experiences.
THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
1. We have come across words like ‘gale’ and ‘storm’ in the account. Here are two more words for ‘storm’: typhoon, cyclone. How many words does your language have for ‘storm’?
Answer: In Assamese, words related to storm include ধুমুহা, ঘূৰ্ণীবতাহ, বৰদৈচিলা and প্ৰচণ্ড বতাহ.
2. Here are the terms for different kinds of vessels: yacht, boat, canoe, ship, steamer, schooner. Think of similar terms in your language.
Answer: Similar terms in Assamese are:
- Yacht — নাও / বিলাসী নাও
- Boat — নাও
- Canoe — ডোঙা
- Ship — জাহাজ
- Steamer — ষ্টীমাৰ
- Schooner — পালতোলা জাহাজ
3. ‘Catamaran’ is a kind of a boat. Do you know which Indian language this word is derived from?
Answer: The word catamaran is derived from the Tamil word kattumaram.
‘Kattu’ means to tie and ‘maram’ means wood or tree. The word originally referred to logs tied together to form a raft.
4. Have you heard any boatman’s songs? What kind of emotions do these songs usually express?
Answer: Yes, boatmen’s songs are common in many parts of India.
Such songs usually express feelings of love, separation, longing, hope, loneliness and attachment to rivers or the sea. They may also reflect the hardships and daily life of boatmen.
WORKING WITH WORDS
1. The following words used in the text as ship terminology are also commonly used in another sense. In what contexts would you use the other meaning?
Knot
Answer: A knot can mean a fastening made by tying rope, string or cloth. It may also refer to a twisted mass of hair or a tight feeling caused by fear or anxiety.
Stern
Answer: Apart from the rear part of a ship, ‘stern’ can mean strict, serious or severe.
Boom
Answer: ‘Boom’ can mean a sudden increase in business or popularity. It can also mean a loud deep sound.
Hatch
Answer: ‘Hatch’ can mean an opening or small door in a wall, floor, aircraft or spacecraft. It can also mean the process of a young bird or animal coming out of an egg.
Anchor
Answer: Apart from the heavy device used to hold a ship in place, ‘anchor’ can mean to fix something firmly. It can also refer to a television or radio news presenter.
2. The following three compound words end in ‘-ship’. What does each of them mean?
Airship
Answer: An airship is a powered aircraft that is lighter than air and can be controlled and steered.
Flagship
Answer: A flagship is the main ship of a fleet. The word is also used for the most important or best product or service of an organisation.
Lightship
Answer: A lightship is a ship equipped with a powerful light and placed in dangerous waters to guide or warn other vessels.
3. What does ‘take on’ mean in the third paragraph of the account?
Answer: In the line where the narrator says that they took on two crewmen, the phrase take on means to employ or engage someone for work.
The two crewmen were Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler.
THINGS TO DO
1. Label the parts of the yacht using the terms given in the box.
Answer: The parts to be labelled are:
- Bow
- Cabin
- Rudder
- Cockpit
- Stern
- Boom
- Mainsail
- Mast
2. Write a short note on Ile Amsterdam.
Answer: Ile Amsterdam is a small island in the southern Indian Ocean. It lies between southern Africa and Australia and is under French administration.
It is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. The island has a very small population, mainly connected with a meteorological or scientific station.
3. Locate Ile Amsterdam on the world map.
Answer: Ile Amsterdam is located in the southern Indian Ocean, roughly between South Africa and Australia.
IMPORTANT QUESTION AND ANSWER
1. Describe the condition of the boat after the big wave hit.
Answer: The huge wave caused severe damage to Wavewalker.
The starboard side was badly damaged and pushed inward. The decks were flooded, and water entered the boat rapidly. Several pieces of equipment and supplies were either damaged or washed away.
The boat was in serious danger of sinking, and the crew had to begin immediate repair and pumping operations.
2. What did the captain do to stop the boat from sinking?
Answer: The captain took several emergency measures.
He covered the large holes with canvas and other available materials, arranged the pumping system and searched for another electric pump when the first pumps failed.
He also continued repairing the damaged areas while directing the crew. These steps helped reduce the flooding and kept the boat afloat.
3. How did the captain feel when he thought the boat would sink?
Answer: The captain experienced fear and uncertainty, but he did not lose his sense of responsibility.
Even when the situation seemed hopeless, he continued thinking of ways to save the boat and protect his family and crew.
His fear was balanced by determination and the will to survive.
4. How did the family manage to keep the boat on course towards Ile Amsterdam?
Answer: The family used the available sails and steering system carefully and continued checking their direction.
The narrator calculated the course and tried to steer Wavewalker towards Ile Amsterdam despite the damaged condition of the boat.
The crew continued pumping out water while the narrator and Mary shared the responsibility of steering and navigation.
5. What did Sue do despite her injuries?
Answer: Sue remained remarkably calm despite being injured.
She did not complain because she did not want to trouble or worry her parents while they were struggling to save the boat.
Her courage and maturity gave emotional strength to the family.
FILL IN THE BLANKS
1. The boat Wavewalker was a __________-hulled beauty weighing about 30 tons.
Answer: wooden
2. The family began their voyage from __________, England.
Answer: Plymouth
3. The severe storm produced waves as high as __________ metres.
Answer: 15
4. The two crewmen who joined the voyage at Cape Town were __________ and __________.
Answer: Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler
5. The family finally reached __________ Island.
Answer: Ile Amsterdam
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Where did the family set sail from in July 1976?
(a) London
(b) Plymouth
(c) Cape Town
(d) Sydney
Answer: (b) Plymouth
2. What was the name of the boat?
(a) Sea Voyager
(b) Wavewalker
(c) Ocean Explorer
(d) Discovery
Answer: (b) Wavewalker
3. How high were the waves during the storm?
(a) 5 metres
(b) 10 metres
(c) 15 metres
(d) 20 metres
Answer: (c) 15 metres
4. Which two crewmen joined the family at Cape Town?
(a) Peter and John
(b) Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler
(c) Mike and Tom
(d) Jack and Alan
Answer: (b) Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler
5. What was the first sign that a very large wave was approaching?
(a) A sudden silence
(b) A loud whistle
(c) A broken mast
(d) Heavy rain
Answer: (a) A sudden silence
6. What was the condition of Wavewalker after the huge wave struck?
(a) Completely safe
(b) Badly damaged and close to capsizing
(c) Unaffected
(d) Only slightly wet
Answer: (b) Badly damaged and close to capsizing
7. What injury did Sue suffer?
(a) A broken leg
(b) A cut on her arm and a bump on her head
(c) A sprained ankle
(d) A broken wrist
Answer: (b) A cut on her arm and a bump on her head
8. Which side of the boat was badly damaged?
(a) Port side
(b) Starboard side
(c) Bow
(d) Stern
Answer: (b) Starboard side
9. How did the captain cover the large holes in the boat?
(a) With wooden doors
(b) With canvas and available materials
(c) With iron sheets
(d) With blankets only
Answer: (b) With canvas and available materials
10. What was the crew’s main method of controlling the flooding?
(a) Sailing faster
(b) Pumping water out
(c) Dropping the anchor
(d) Throwing supplies overboard
Answer: (b) Pumping water out
11. Which island did the family try to reach?
(a) Madagascar
(b) Ile Amsterdam
(c) Mauritius
(d) Reunion
Answer: (b) Ile Amsterdam
12. How did the family feel when they finally saw Ile Amsterdam?
(a) Angry
(b) Relieved and overjoyed
(c) Frightened
(d) Indifferent
Answer: (b) Relieved and overjoyed
13. For about how long did the crew pump continuously before getting some relief?
(a) 12 hours
(b) 24 hours
(c) 36 hours
(d) 72 hours
Answer: (c) 36 hours
14. Why did Sue not complain about her injuries?
(a) She felt no pain.
(b) She did not want to worry her parents.
(c) She was asleep.
(d) She was afraid of the crew.
Answer: (b) She did not want to worry her parents.
15. How old was Jonathan during the voyage?
(a) 5 years
(b) 6 years
(c) 7 years
(d) 8 years
Answer: (b) 6 years
Teacher Generate Question Answer
1. List the steps taken by the captain
i) To protect the ship when rough weather began.
ii) To check the flooding of the water in the ship.
Ans: i) On their second day out of Cape Town, they began to encounter strong gales. For the next few weeks they blew continuously and furiously. The size of the waves was alarming. They rose up to 15 metres, as high as their main mast. The captain took certain urgent steps to protect the boat. He decided to slow down the speed of the boat. Storm jib was dropped. Heavy mooring ropes were looped across the stern. They went through their life-raft drill. Life-Lines were attached. They put on oilskins and their life jackets. But all these precautions proved inadequate. The roar of high waves increased to a thunder. Then a loud explosion shook the deck.
ii) A torrent of green and white water broke over the ship. The captain’s head smashed into the wheel. He was aware of sinking below the waves. Suddenly, his head popped out of water. Wave walker was near capsizing. Her masts had fallen flat. He didn’t leave the wheel. His wife Mary came running. She cried that the decks were smashed and full of water. Larry and Herb were pumping water out like madmen. The whole starboard bulged inward. The captain found a hammer, screws and canvas. He struggle to make repairs. He was successful in spreading canvas over the gaping holes. Most of the water was now deflected over the sides. Another electric pumps was connected to the out-pipe. Fortunately, it worked. The water level was now quite under control.
2. Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January.
Ans: On January 4, the voyagers got some respite. After 36 hours of continuous pumping they could pump much of the water out. However, water was still coming in. The pumpers were to keep pace with the water. They could not set any sail on the main mast. So they hoisted the storm jib. Mary found some beef and biscuits. They ate their meal in almost two days. But their respite was short lived. At 4 pm the wind was back to 40 knots. The waves were rising higher.
By the dawn on January 5, the situation was again hopeless. The narrator went in to comfort the children. Jon asked if they were ‘going to die’. The narrator assured him that they would succeed. His son replied that they were not afraid of dying if they could “all be together”. The captain used an improvised sea anchor. It was made of heavy nylon rope and 22 barrels of paraffin. Those were critical moments. Mary and the narrator sat together holding their hands. They both felt that the end was very near. But Wavewalker rode out (of) the storm and the wind eased by the morning of January 6.
2. Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text. Give a subtitle to each section.
Ans: The lesson “We’re Not Afraid to Die… if We Can All Be Together” is written as a first-person narrative and is divided into three sections. Each section shows a clear shift in mood and narration, reflecting the changing circumstances of the voyage.
The first section describes the beginning of the journey with excitement and confidence. In July 1976, the family set sail to repeat Captain James Cook’s round-the-world voyage. Their boat, Wavewalker, was professionally built and tested. The narration is calm and hopeful at first, but the tone changes after they leave Cape Town. Giant waves and a violent storm create tension, and the narration becomes fast-paced and intense, showing the desperate efforts to save the ship.
The second section focuses on the family’s fight for survival after the storm badly damages the boat. The narration becomes serious and emotional, highlighting hunger, exhaustion, and fear. This section also brings out the courage of the children, especially Jon, whose words show calm acceptance and emotional strength in the face of death.
In the final section, the tone shifts again to relief and happiness. The danger has passed, and hope is restored as the family nears Ile Amsterdam. The narration becomes relaxed and joyful. The islanders warmly welcome and help them, marking a safe and triumphant end to the journey.
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