Chapter 2 We're Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together

(i)To save themselves from waves on 2nd January; they tried to slow the ship,by removing the storm jib, and lashing a rope at stern. Then, they lasher everything. Checked life-raft drill, put oilskins, and life jackets, and waited.

(ii)When the captain came at deck he saw that Larry and Herb was already pumping out the water. Then the captain took out the canvas and started blocking or covering the holes from where the water is coming on the deck so that the chances of sinking of ship could be reduced. Their electric pump circuit was short circuited, but he remembered that they had another electric pump, and it worked after connecting it to the pipe.

They were very stressed definitely because the voyagers were continuously pumping out the water from the deck for 36 hours. And later they felt relaxed at the situation was getting better after that panic situation. And later they had their  first meal in 2 days. And in two days they suffered from lot of mental stress and fear of death.

In the first section, story describes that the journey begins from Plymouth (England) to 3500km east pf Cape Town (Africa). The narrator was happy that he
was going to follow the path of James Cook and he was very confident. And in the next section, they faced gigantic waves which was double in size of their ship. They were scared of dying. But as a responsible captain the narrator took necessary precautions to save themselves from that scary and difficult situation. This section shows their confidence and fighting spirit and strong will power. And in the next section, on January 6th, the Wave Walker rode out of the storm and they were searching the island and in the evening, they found the Amsterdam Island.

There are some differences between the adults and children reaction when they found themselves in scary and tough times. When the weather started worsening then as a responsible captain Gordon took the necessary precautions. And did whatever he could to handle the situation and to save themselves. They equipped everyone with lifelines, water proof clothes, and life jackets. Larry and Herb were continuously pumping out the water from the ship. When Gordon had to go to the cabin to children then Mary controlled the wheel when ship got smashed by the giant wave. And they got their first meal in 2 days. The narrator repaired the holes and found the electric pump circuit and connected it to the pipe. Then Sue and Jon showed the courage and adulthood in that difficult situation. Sue saw that everybody was panic and doing everything to save themselves so she didn’t tell about her pain and serious injury to her daddy. And Jon showed courage by saying we are not afraid to die, if we all can be together.

The story suggest that optimism helps to endure direst stress. When the weather was getting worse then the Gordon took necessary precaution. When giant wave smashed to the ship then it created a panic and stressful situation, then the 4 adults present at the deck used their presence of mind. Larry and Herb started pumping out water from the deck, Gordon used his experience and calmness by not thinking about the resources they had lost but he used whatever was present on the deck and started repairing the holes. And Mary took control of the ship by handling the direction wheel of the ship. So it was the optimism that helps them to bear that stress and took them out from that situation.

Whenever we are face to face with death, an emotion gets generated in our mind is called fear. But if anybody is with us in that situation than self-confidence
and courage gets generated in ourselves. And with all support, presence of mind, courage, precautions, togetherness and an ease of survival can lead anyone to
come out from any panic situation.

It is a fact that more adventurous expedition leads to more thrill and fun. An adventurous journey gives you good experience and provides chance to determine the strength of our inner self. It helps to develop our confidence and gives mind freshening mint to ourselves. One time experience gives you lifetime joy. That’s why being known with the risk of adventure they goes to adventurous expeditions.

In our language, we call storm as toofan, aandhi, jhanjavat, chakravat etc.

Naon, Nava, Naiyan, Pot, Jahaj etc.

Tamil.

Yes, these type of songs provide strength, confidence and moral support.