27 Questions
What are the two kinds of conflict illustrated in the story?
Conflict between humans and nature, and conflict between humans themselves.
Match the storm names with their descriptions: 1. A violent tropical storm in which strong winds move in a circle.
Cyclone
What is the meaning of the word 'hope' in the sentence 'I hope it (the hailstorm) passes quickly'?
Wish or desire for something to happen.
Define 'gale' as used in the context of storms.
An extremely strong wind.
What is a 'whirlwind' in the context of storms?
A very strong wind that moves very fast in a spinning movement and causes a lot of damage.
Explain the term 'typhoon' in relation to storms.
A violent storm with very strong winds, especially in the western Atlantic Ocean.
What are the 'twin obligations' Mandela mentions?
The obligations to freedom and justice.
What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy and as a student? How does he contrast these 'transitory freedoms' with 'the basic and honourable freedoms'?
Being free meant to ride a horse and swim in the river as a boy, and to be able to stay out at night and watch films as a student. He contrasts these transitory freedoms with basic and honourable freedoms like the freedom of speech and expression.
Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
No, Mandela does not think the oppressor is free. He believes that the oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness.
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend Mandela's inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
International leaders attended Mandela's inauguration to signify the triumph of freedom and justice. It symbolized the victory over apartheid and the establishment of a new democratic South Africa.
How do syllabi and textbooks developed on the basis of NCF aim to discourage in education?
By discouraging rote learning and the maintenance of sharp boundaries between different subject areas.
What is one of the key reasons why other resources and sites of learning are ignored in the education system?
Treating the prescribed textbook as the sole basis of examination.
How can inculcating creativity and initiative be made possible?
By perceiving and treating children as participants in learning, not as receivers of a fixed body of knowledge.
What is emphasized as equally necessary along with rigour in implementing the annual calendar in schools?
Flexibility in the daily time-table.
How can the effectiveness of a textbook in making children's school experience positive be determined?
By the methods used for teaching and evaluation.
What is highlighted as a critical factor for the success of the educational effort outlined in the National Policy of Education (1986)?
The steps that school principals and teachers take to encourage children to reflect on their own learning and pursue imaginative activities and questions.
What was the location of the inauguration ceremony?
Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria
Who attended the inauguration ceremony?
politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries
What did Nelson Mandela vow in his address?
Never again will this land experience the oppression of one by another
How did people of different races celebrate after the ceremony?
blacks, whites, and coloureds celebrated together
Approximately how many South Africans participated in the celebration?
Over 100,000 men, women, and children of all races
Why did the young bird run back to the little hole under the ledge?
He felt certain that his wings would never support him.
What prevented the young bird from taking the plunge to fly away like his siblings?
He failed to muster up courage.
How did the young bird's parents try to motivate him to fly?
Calling to him shrilly, upbraiding him, threatening to let him starve on his ledge unless he flew away.
What did the young bird witness his older brother do before he tried to fly?
Catch his first herring and devour it.
What did the young bird's family do to taunt him with his cowardice?
Walked about on the big plateau midway down the opposite cliff.
What was the young bird feeling due to not having eaten since the previous nightfall?
He felt the heat because he had not eaten.
Study Notes
Conflicts
- Two kinds of conflicts illustrated in the story: internal conflict (young bird's fear of flying) and external conflict (storm)
Storms
- Hurricane: a violent tropical storm with strong winds moving in a circle
- Gale: a strong wind, typically measuring between 32 and 63 knots on the Beaufort scale
- Whirlwind: a rapidly rotating column of air that descends from a thunderstorm to the ground
- Typhoon: a tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific Ocean
Nelson Mandela
- Twin obligations: to reconcile and to forgive
- As a boy, freedom meant being able to run in the fields and play; as a student, it meant being able to pursue education without restrictions
- Contrast between transitory freedoms (temporary and limited) and basic and honourable freedoms (permanent and unconditional)
- Mandela believes the oppressor is not free because they are bound by their own prejudices and biases
- Many international leaders attended Mandela's inauguration, signifying the triumph of democracy and freedom over apartheid
Education
- Syllabi and textbooks developed on the basis of NCF aim to discourage rote learning in education
- Other resources and sites of learning are often ignored due to over-reliance on textbooks
- Inculcating creativity and initiative can be made possible by encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Flexibility and autonomy are emphasized as equally necessary along with rigour in implementing the annual calendar in schools
- The effectiveness of a textbook in making children's school experience positive can be determined by assessing its ability to engage and motivate students
- Critical factor for success of educational effort outlined in the National Policy of Education (1986) is the incorporation of diverse learning resources and experiences
Inauguration Ceremony
- Location: Union Buildings, Pretoria
- Attendees: international leaders and dignitaries
- Mandela vowed to work towards a united and democratic South Africa
- People of different races celebrated together after the ceremony
- Approximately 100,000 South Africans participated in the celebration
The Young Bird
- Ran back to the little hole under the ledge due to fear of flying
- Prevented from flying by fear and lack of confidence
- Parents motivated him to fly by encouraging and urging him to take the plunge
- Witnessed his older brother flying effortlessly before trying himself
- Family taunted him with his cowardice, calling him a coward
- Felt weak and hungry due to not having eaten since the previous nightfall
Test your knowledge on Nelson Mandela's historic inauguration speech at the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria. Learn about the message of unity and reconciliation amidst celebrations in South Africa.
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