We’re Not Afraid to Die…….

If We All can be Together

I. Answer the following questions briefly:

Q.1. What preparations were made by the narrator before their round the world
Voyage?

Ans. The narrator wanted to go on a voyage around the world as captain James
Cook had done about 200 years earlier. For about 16 years, both he and his wife used
to spend all their free time in improving their sailing skills on the British sea. They
made a 23 m long boat Wavewalker, with great skill. They tested it in the roughest
weather. Finally, they started their voyage in July 1976.

Q.2. How did the first leg of the journey pass? What happened to them immediately
after they left?

Ans. The first leg of the journey was from Plymouth (England) to Cape Town
(Southernmost trip of Africa). It was a journey of 1,05,000 kilometres. It passed quite
pleasantly. But after leaving Cape Town, they had to face strong gales.

Q.3. How does the author describe Wavewalker?

Ans. Wavewalker was the name given to the narrator's boat. It was professionally
built. It was a 23-metre long, wooden-hulled 30-ton boat. The narrator spent months
fitting it out and testing it in the roughest weather.

Q.4. What did the travellers find at dawn on 2 January and what preparation did
they make?

Ans. The travellers encountered turbulence in the waters- the waves were gigantic.
The ship rose to the top of each wave that came their way. There was fear of
shipwreck. So they made all possible preparations to save the ship and themselves
by first dropping the storm jib to slow down ship, securing everything tightly,
attaching lifelines to the life-rafts and donning their oilskins and life-jackets.

Q.5. Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January.

Ans: On January 4, the voyagers felt relieved as they were continuously pumping
out water for the past 36 hours and only a few centimetres of water was left. They
had their first meal in two days. Mary found some corned beef and cracker biscuits.

Later, around 4 pm, the weather changed as black clouds marched towards them.
The wind was now 40 knots and the sea was getting higher. The weather got worse
and by the early morning of January 5, the situation was bad. This gave them mental
stress.

Q.6. 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) the narrator decided to slow down the ship to protect it from bad and
stormy weather. He dropped the storm jib and lashed heavy mooring rope across
the stern of the ship. Then, they double – lashed everything. They carried their life-
raft drill, attached lifelines, donned life jackets and oilskins.

(ii) to check the flooding of the water, the narrator put waterproof hatch which
covered the gaping holes. This diverted the water flow to the side. His hand pumps
were blocked due to debris and his one electric pump was short-circuited. He found
a spare electric pump. He connected the electric pump to the out pipe and started it.

Q.7. "We are not afraid to die." Who speaks the words and when?

Ans. The narrator' son Janathan, 6 years old, made this remark when his father went
in to comfort the children. "But Daddy," he went on, "We are not afraid of dying if
we can all be together- you and mummy, Sue and I".

Q.8. How did Sue cheer her father when the situation was almost hopeless?
Ans. The situation was hopeless and the parents were still tense. Sue made a card
and drew their caricatures of her parents in it. The card also thanked them and gave
a message of hope, thus giving the narrator the much need optimism in dismal
situation and lifting his spirits.

II. Answer the following in detail:

Q.1: What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the
children when faced with danger?

Ans: There is a lot of difference between the way in which the adults and the
children reacted when faced with danger. The adults felt the stress of the
circumstances but prepared themselves to face the dangers. The adults lose their
hope at the end and wait for the inevitable given the damage caused. On the other
hand, the children were hopeful and gave the narrator moral support. With the
support of his children, Jonathan and Suzanne, he decided to make it to the island at
any cost. The narrator performed his role as captain with courage, determination,
resourcefulness and full responsibility. He undertook repair work and provided
apparatus and directions needed to protect the ship. He also helped in steering the
ship towards the island. The children showed maturity. His son expressed courage
as to how he wasn’t afraid to die if they all were together. His daughter made him a
card expressing her love and affection towards her parents and wrote a beautiful
message. She was injured still; she didn’t let it become a hurdle for her parents who
were trying to save the ship.

Q.2: How does the story suggest the optimism helps to “endure the direst stress?

Ans: The story suggests that optimism certainly helps to endure the direst stress. The
behaviour of adults during crisis bears it out. As the mighty waves smashed the
deck, water entered the ship through many holes and openings. Right from the
evening of January 2, Larry and Herb started pumping out water. They worked
continuously and feverishly for 36 hours. It was a result of their continuous
pumping that they reached the last few centimetres of water on January 4. They
remained cheerful and optimistic while facing extremely dangerous situations. The
narrator did not lose his courage hope or presence of mind while facing problems.
He did not worry about the loss of equipment. He used whatever was available
there. His self confidence and practical knowledge helped them to steer out of storm
and reach the Ile Amsterdam; and. Mary stayed at the wheel for all those crucial
hours. She did not lose hope or courage either. The maturity of the children played
an important role in motivating the narrator when he needed it the most. Jon told
him,” we aren’t afraid of dying if we can all be together — you and Mummy, Sue
and I”. Sue, his daughter who made him a card showed how she was proud of her
parents and didn’t make a big deal of her injuries which were in a bad condition.
With the struggles and efforts, they finally made it to the destination.

Q.3: What lessons do we learn from such hazardous experiences when we are face to
face with death?

Ans: Hazardous experiences may bring us face to face with death, but they teach us
many important life lessons of significance. Life is not always a bed of roses. We
must react to dangers and risks with patience and fortitude. Adversity is the true test
of character. The test of fire makes fine steel. The hazardous experiences bring out
the best in us. Fear is a negative feeling and leads to inactivity and abject surrender.
in circumstances calling for decisive choices. Self confidence, courage,
resourcefulness and presence of mind are qualities that will make us sail through
difficult times. The sharing and caring attitude towards people facing the same the
adversity inspires others also to face the adverse circumstances boldly and tide over
them.

Q.4: Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite of
the risks involved?

Answer: Man is adventurous by nature. The greater the risk, the more the thrill! The
thrill of exploring unknown lands, discovering wealth and beauty lying hidden in
far off lands inspire brave hearts to stake their life of rest and repose. Perhaps they
value the a few moments of glory more than a long uneventful life of sloth and
inactivity. It is true that sometimes adventures are quite risky and may prove fatal.
The failures of some persons do not daunt (discourage) the real lovers of adventure.
They draw lessons from the shortcomings and errors of others and make fresh
attempts with greater zeal. Part of the charm of an adventurous expedition lies in
adapting oneself to the circumstances and overcoming the odds. The success of an
adventurous expedition brings name, fame and wealth. History books are replete
with accounts of famous explorers like Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Captain Cook
and Captain Scott.

Q.5. 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 first section: Beginning of the Round - the – Voyage

The first section was cheerful and full of hope as the family began their planned
voyage just like the one done 200 years ago by the famous Captain James Cook. They
had perfected their seafaring skills for 16 years. They built a ship Wavewalker
professionally which was a 23 metres long, 30 tons wooden-hulled ship. They
celebrated Christmas on the ship despite the bad weather.

The Second Section: the struggle for survival

This section changed from cheerful to intense. The family was under great pressure
to survive the oncoming waves and bad weather conditions. A giant wave created
chaos and the ship was about to overturn. The narrator was thrown off into the
water and he almost drowned and got injured. Along with two hired crewmen, the
narrator pumped out the water from the ship for a continuous 36 hours. He also
tried repairing the parts of the ship. He almost lost his hope and believed they
would die. But his children were fearless and courageous enough which gave him
the determination to fight back.
The third section: Victory

With the support of his children, the narrator kept trying to save the ship in order to
reach the two small islands, Ile Amsterdam. They finally reached the destination and
got help from the inhabitants of the island. His son called him the best daddy and
best captain.