[The young seagull was alone on a narrow ledge. His two brothers and his sister had already flown away the previous day. He had tried to fly with them, but when he looked at the vast sea far below, he became frightened. He thought that his wings would not support him. So, he ran back to the small hole under the ledge.
His father and mother flew around him, calling and scolding him. They even threatened to leave him without food if he did not fly. But the young seagull could not gather enough courage to jump. His parents then left him alone. From the ledge, he watched them teaching his brothers and sister how to fly over the waves and dive into the sea to catch fish. He also saw his elder brother catch his first fish. The parents praised him proudly, while the whole family laughed at the young seagull’s fear.
The young seagull had not eaten anything since the previous night. As the sun rose higher, he became very hungry. He searched every part of the ledge for food, but there was nothing left. He even tried to eat the dried pieces of eggshell in the nest. Then he walked back and forth, trying to find another way to reach his family without flying. But the ledge ended in a steep fall on both sides, and a deep, wide crack separated him from his family. Therefore, he could not reach them without flying.
He pretended to sleep, hoping that his family would notice him. But his brothers and sister continued resting, and his father cleaned his feathers. Only his mother looked at him. She stood on the opposite plateau with a piece of fish at her feet. She tore the fish and scraped her beak against the rock. The sight of the food made the hungry seagull desperate. He called to his mother and begged her to bring him some food.
At last, his mother picked up a piece of fish and flew towards him. The young seagull became very happy. He leaned forward eagerly to get the food. But when his mother came near the ledge, she suddenly stopped in the air. The fish was almost within the reach of his beak. The young seagull waited for a moment, wondering why she did not come closer.
Driven by extreme hunger, he jumped towards the fish. He fell outwards and downwards into the open space. His mother quickly flew upwards. At first, a terrible fear seized him. His heart seemed to stop, and he could hear nothing. But the fear lasted only for a moment.
Soon, he felt his wings spreading outwards. The wind rushed against his body and wings. He realised that he was not falling. Instead, he was flying. He flapped his wings and rose higher into the sky. His fear disappeared, and he cried out with joy.
His mother flew past him, and his father flew over him. His brothers and sister flew around him, soaring and diving. They encouraged and supported him. The young seagull soon forgot that he had once been afraid to fly. He began to fly freely and happily.
After some time, he came close to the sea. He saw the vast green water beneath him. His parents, brothers and sister had already landed on it. They called him and encouraged him to land. Thinking that the sea was a solid green floor, he lowered his legs. But his feet sank into the water. He became frightened and tried to rise again. However, he was too tired and hungry to fly.
His feet sank into the water, and then his belly touched its surface. To his surprise, he did not sink any further. He discovered that he could float on the sea. His family gathered around him, praising him and offering him pieces of fish. The young seagull had finally completed his first flight.
The story teaches us that fear and lack of confidence often prevent us from discovering our abilities. We can overcome fear only by facing it and making an effort. The young seagull’s family appears strict, but they act out of love and help him become courageous, confident and independent.]
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