[Essay 1.“I Will Fly” is an inspiring lesson about self-confidence, individuality and the power of dreams. Discuss.
“I Will Fly” is an inspiring speech by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. It motivates young people to overcome fear, recognise their abilities and develop their unique personalities. Dr Kalam believes that the ignited mind of the youth is the most powerful resource on earth. Therefore, young people need not be afraid of their future.
Dr Kalam recalls his visit to a village to inaugurate Sasthrayaan, a programme for the propagation of science. It aimed to prepare about two thousand students to become engineers, scientists, doctors, managers and civil servants. His inaugural address was on the topic “Science Empowers the Nation.”
After the speech, a nervous village boy asked Dr Kalam a sincere question. He confessed that he lacked confidence and was afraid to speak to his teachers and friends. He often compared himself with other students and felt inferior to them. However, he wanted to become a marine engineer, travel in a ship, become its captain and build its engine. He wished to know whether he could achieve his ambition.
Dr Kalam valued the question because it represented the fears of millions of young people. He answered it by reciting the poem “I Will Fly.” The poem states that every person is born with potential, goodness, ideas, dreams, greatness, confidence and wings. Human beings are not meant to crawl; they are born to fly.
Dr Kalam also warns that society often forces young people to imitate others. To become unique, they must fight the hardest battle of their lives and continue until they reach their destined place. The lesson teaches us to avoid unhealthy comparisons, believe in ourselves and pursue our dreams courageously.
Essay 2. Narrate the village boy’s meeting with Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. How did Dr Kalam respond to the boy’s fears and ambitions?
The nervous village boy in “I Will Fly” represents many young people who possess great dreams but lack the confidence to express themselves. His conversation with Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam becomes the central incident of the lesson.
Dr Kalam visited a village to inaugurate Sasthrayaan, a programme that promoted science and prepared students for important careers. After his speech on “Science Empowers the Nation,” he invited questions from the audience. Among the selected students was a teenager from a distant village.
The boy stood up nervously and admitted that he did not know how to ask his question. He had never asked a question in his class. Although he had been educated for many years, he had not gained confidence. He was afraid to speak to his teachers and friends. Whenever he spoke, he compared himself with other students and their elegant clothes. This made him feel inferior.
Despite his fear, the boy had a definite and ambitious dream. He wanted to become a marine engineer, travel in a ship, become its captain and build its engine. He asked Dr Kalam whether he would be able to achieve these goals and what he should do to fulfil his mission.
The entire audience waited eagerly for Dr Kalam’s response. Dr Kalam appreciated the boy’s honesty and valued his question because it echoed the hidden fear of many young people. He encouraged the boy by reciting “I Will Fly.” Through the poem, he reminded him that he was born with potential, goodness, ideas, dreams, greatness, confidence and wings.
Dr Kalam’s response transformed the boy’s weakness into hope. He taught him that success begins with self-belief. The incident shows that a sincere ambition, supported by courage, confidence and hard work, can help even an insecure person rise to great heights.
Essay 3:Analyse the message conveyed through the poem “I Will Fly.”
The poem “I Will Fly,” recited by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, carries a powerful message of confidence, hope and self-realisation. Dr Kalam uses it to encourage a village boy who feels inferior and is afraid to speak before others.
The poem begins with the declaration, “I am born with potential.” It reminds us that every individual possesses abilities that can be developed. We are also born with goodness and trust, which help us build healthy relationships. Ideas and dreams give direction to our lives, while greatness inspires us to aim high.
The most significant lines of the poem are:
“I am born with wings.
So, I am not meant for crawling.
I have wings, I will fly.”
The “wings” symbolise confidence, ability, ambition and freedom. “Crawling” represents fear, helplessness and a life without ambition. Dr Kalam teaches young people that they should not remain limited by self-doubt. They must use their abilities and rise above their fears.
The poem is also closely connected with Dr Kalam’s idea of becoming unique. Every young person wishes to be different, but society often encourages imitation. Parents ask children to be like their neighbours’ children, while teachers compare them with the highest-ranking students. Such comparisons may weaken confidence and prevent young people from discovering their real talents.
According to Dr Kalam, becoming unique requires a continuous struggle. A person must fight the hardest battle and never stop until they reach their destined place. True success does not mean becoming somebody else; it means becoming the best version of oneself.
Thus, “I Will Fly” urges young people to trust their potential, preserve their individuality and work courageously towards their dreams. Its central message is clear: we are not born to crawl in fear—we are born with wings to fly.]
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