IntroductionThe narrator Gordon Cook, his wife Mary and their children, Jonathan and Suzanne set sail on a ship to imitate the historical round-the world voyage undertaken by James Cook in 1768. The journey began from Plymouth, England and headed south to Cape Town, South Africa. It was expected to journey to Australia through the endless Indian Ocean and finally return to England. Unfortunately the ship partially wrecked in the Indian Ocean and the sailors faced death very close. The narrative describes the near death experience of these hapless people, their hard work, the children’s encouraging messages, their willingness to die with their father and mother, hours of endurance and finally their reaching Ile Amsterdam, a tiny island. Summary The narrative describes how optimism, determination and strong will power raise one’s spirits and help us overcome all forms of stressful situations. The narrator was a 37 years old businessmen. His dream was to travel around the world through sea just like Captain James Cook which he wished to complete in three years. He was along with his wife Mary, his daughter Suzanne and his son who was only six years old. The first phase was about 105,000 kilometres up to the South African seaport of Cape Town, which passed off very pleasantly. The second part of the journey was for 150,000 kilometres. This phase was completed in Australia. On 25th December, the writer's ship was in the southern Indian Ocean, 3500 kilometres to the east of Cape Town. The family celebrated their new year (1977) on board the ship. Next came a phase when the ship was caught in the stormy seas. The weather suddenly became very terrible. The writer thought that their ship would ride over the waves but were heavily caught amidst the stormy situations at the sea. There was water everywhere and they found the ship to be sinking. The condition was extremely helpless and very pathetic. Water was gushing in from everywhere. Debris was floating across the cabins. The electric pump was also not working as it had short-circuited. They had to keep pumping and steering all night long. The writer's daughter's head had swollen and she had a deep injury. However, the bravery of the strongwilled children is noteworthy in the story. On January 4, they breathed a sigh of relief after having survived 36 hours of continuous pumping. However, their relief seemed to be quite short-lived because by evening that day the sea again witnessed bad weather. This is the turning point of the story when we see the author consoling the children. It was quite amazing that the children exclaimed ...we aren't afraid of dying if we can all be together. This led to the building energy and enthusiasm inside a very extremely fatigued writer. He decided to heave and fight the sea. Next day saw a very bright morning. He was welcomed by his children who exclaimed You are the best daddy in the world. He rushed to the deck and to his amazement, gazed at the stark outline of Ile Amsterdam. It seemed to him to be the most beautiful island in the world. They anchored off shore for the night and then were welcomed by the 28 inhabitants of the island the next morning. All along, the only thing which filled the writer's mind was the This shows his courageous nature and his love for his children. What for did Cook take two crewmen from Cape Town? Did that decision turn out good? Ans. Fear and fear factors are associated with death but love conquers both. Though silent in the narrative. The idea of losing one’s life can throw even the mightiest out of gear. Q. the two children too are worth mentioning as they showed exemplary courage and understanding even in the face of death. Cook and his family picked up two crew men-American Vigil and Swiss Herb to tackle of the world’s roughest seas-The Southern Indian Ocean. The author with his wife Mary and their two children-Jonathan and Suzanne-was the family of extreme adventure nature. mom. his daughter who didn't worry about her head injury and his son who wasn't afraid of dying. Ans. he said that they were not afraid of dying if they could all be together – his dad. How did the narrator respond to little Jon’s words? What do his actions reveal about his character? Ans. When the captain – the children’s father – lost the last speck of his hope. This very soon turned out for good because the two men – vigorous and adventurous – helped the family. How did Jonathan react to the desperate situation they found themselves in on 5th January? Ans. natural calamities like Earthquake.The Wavewalker Q.undeterred courage which his wife Mary showed. Q. Hence. They tried to duplicate the round the world voyage accomplished by their forefather Captain James Cook in their professionally built ship . as he left his children’s cabin. The narrator could not find any words to respond to his son’s remark. Q. How did Sue try to enliven the gloomy atmosphere? . Short Answer Questions Q. He was a caring father who wanted to save his children at all costs. In the sea was death but in the same sea was hope. worth significant mentioning? Ans. What for did the narrator and his family undertake an adventurous trip? Ans. Sue and himself. Jonathan asked his father if they were all going to die. it was the children who rekindled it. their contribution is matchless. Why does the reader find the two children. tsunamis and floods strike us with fear and defeat us with death but this very nature has in its bosom tiny pinpricks where man can run to for safety. The incident established nature’s overpowering fury and compassion. Q. when the ship was sinking. However. Along with the adults. On the father’s reassurance. Q. he was determined to fight the sea with everything he had. Jonathan and Suzanne. He used his intelligence to estimate the influence of the westerly currents which flowed through that part of the Ocean. He had . Q. Why did the narrator undertake the round the world voyage? What did he do for this mission? Ans. who stayed at the wheel for all those crucial hours? He also thought of his daughter. Q. Q.Ans. He asked Larry to steer a course of 185 degrees and remained optimistic about spotting the island at about 5 pm. the narrator’s thoughts were full of Larry and Herbie. his crew members who remained cheerful and optimistic throughout the hardships. The island was only a bleak piece of volcanic rock with little vegetation – the author called it the most beautiful island in the world because it had given them a ray of hope for survival. What did the narrator think of on landing at Ile Amsterdam? Why? Ans. Q. “Optimism and courage help to tide over difficulties”. She had drawn their caricatures and written that she had drawn some funny people. The narrator wanted the achievement of duplicating the round the world voyage made two hundred years earlier by Captain James Cook. Sue tried to enliven the gloomy atmosphere by trying her hand at making a card for her parents. They could at least anchor there and repair their ship. The card expressed her heartfelt thanks to them and she hoped for the best. They seek such adventures for pure joy and exhilaration. fame and recognition. They also want to do certain things for attaining name. She had written that she loved both her parents. How can you say that Suzanne’s injuries were serious? Ans. People undertake such adventurous expeditions due to two reasons. On landing at Ile Amsterdam. Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite of the risks involved? Ans. the author did not lose hope. She had also injured her arm and had two black eyes. Q. They have the passionate thrive for risk. He thought of his wife also. Despite the lost compass and a faulty compass. Suzanne’s injuries were serious because she had to undergo six minor surgeries to remove a recurring blood clot between her skin and skull. thrill and uncertainty and they push their limits of skill and endurance. Who do you think did the narrator call Ile Amsterdam ‘the most beautiful island in the world’? Ans. How did the narrator succeed in searching the small island? Ans. Q. who had been so brave all through the ordeal and had not bothered about her head injury. What happened on January 2nd? What did the narrator do to face the strong or high waves? Ans. clothes.spent sixteen years preparing for this brave adventure. The author had spent months in fitting it out. His lifeline was tightly stretched and he felt that his left ribs were cracked. six year old son Jonathan. He acquired experience in sailing around the British waters. Larry and Herb were pumping water out of the ship. The first part of the voyage remained uneventful and it passed pleasantly from the west coast of Africa to Capetown. Give a brief description of the narrator’s boat. What problems do you think deserved his immediate attention? . crockery. Q. charts. “I had no time to worry about bumped heads”. They had tested their boat ‘Wave walker’ in the roughest weather. They slowed down the speed of the boat and double lashed everything. and daughter Suzanne who was seven years old. his mouth was filled with blood and broken teeth. seven year old daughter Suzanne and two crew men. When did the narrator set sail for its round the world voyage and how did it pass in the beginning? The narrator set sail from Plymouth. What happened to the narrator and what did he do to face the disaster? Ans. How did the narrator equip and test it? The narrator’s boat named ‘Wavewalker’ was 23 metres long. It was built professionally and had been tested in the roughest weather. Q. What was the scene before the narrator’s eyes after the crash of the Giant wave? The boat was filled with water. Q. Their ship was hit by strong mighty waves. an American called Larry Vigil and a Swiss Herb Seigler. Q. the waves were huge and sea was extremely rough. Early morning on January2. Broken timber. The roar of the thunder increased and then a huge torrent of sea water broke over the ship. tins and toys were floating everywhere. son Jonathan. Later they were joined by two crewmen Larry and Herb Seigler. 6. Q. When and with whom did the narrator begin his voyage? The narrator began his voyage in July 1976 with his wife Mary. He still found the wheel and hung on. Q. The narrator’s head smashed into the wheel and he accepted his approaching death. England in July 1976 with his wife Mary. says the narrator. 30 ton wooden boat. They got ready to face the danger by wearing life jackets and they waited for the worst. He had tried his best to repair the ship but had not been completely successful. said Sue. Q.Ans. As the two pumps got blocked and the electric pump short circuited. On the night of January 2. John said that they were not afraid to die if they could all be together. He found another electric pump and . Despite serious injuries. Suzanne was brave enough to write a card. If he did not make some repairs. The children show amazing maturity and resilience in the face of disaster. Q. the boat would have surely sunk and they would have drowned. The narrator dropped the storm jib and tied heavy rope attached to the anchor in a loop across the stern. She had been brave and did not want to worry her father. Their undaunted efforts helped them to survive the disaster. The wave hit the ship hard and the narrator’s head hit the wheel and he became unconscious. Q. “I didn’t want to worry you when you were trying to save us all”. Long Answer Questions Q. The problem that deserved immediate attention was the repair of the starboard side which had bashed open and with every wave. it was letting water enter the boat. the author and his wife felt that their end was near. 1977? Ans. They remain strong and composed. How did the narrator and his family face the disaster in the form of a huge wave that struck the ‘Wave Walker’? Ans. both the children show courage and patience. he double fastened everything. Mary and the narrator feel the end was near? Why did they feel so? Ans. The first mighty wave seemed to have destroyed everything and in order to remain afloat they had to act fast. A growing roar came and an enormous cloud formed in the sky right above the ship. The narrator thought it was a cloud but it was actually a gigantic wave and was twice the height of other waves. Q. When do you think. What problems ‘in plenty’ did the narrator face during the night of January 2. Later her head became swollen alarmingly and she had a deep cut on her arm. The narrator handed over the wheel to Mary. What do you observe about the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with disaster? Ans. As the motion of the ship brought more and more water in the boat through the broken planks. The adults also reacted with a fighting spirit and optimism. around 6 pm the wind dropped and the sky grew dark. He stretched canvas and fastened water proof hatch covers across the gaping holes in the star board side. What has happened to her? Sue had hit her head somewhere and a huge bump had formed above her eyes. Along with his crew. What do you think of the narrator as a captain? How did the crew and the family members show courage during distress? Ans. His children also proved to be sensible. He engaged two crew men to assist him and he received full co-operation and help from his family. Repairing the damaged ship was essential despite his injuries. What impression do you form about the narrator on the basis of this extract? Ans. identified nearest land/port and performed intense calculations despite the lack of proper equipment.started it. He had dreamt of going on round the world sea voyage since childhood. He was resourceful and quick to improvise. He had a practical approach and he remained alert and strong willed. His wife helped with the navigation of the ship while his children offered moral support. They made advance and immediate arrangements to face the violent storms during their voyage. He was levelheaded and his courage and practical knowledge made him a good captain. The narrator was able to think rationally. This is a story of human endurance. prioritize and recall important information under distress. . mature and resilient in the face of adversity. He managed to calculate a new course and his precise calculations brought them safely to an island. did not convey his fears to his crew and presented a confident face throughout enhancing the morale of his team. Jonathan and Suzanne showed courage and optimistic fervour. a few hundred kilometres to the east. He worked and motivated everyone in the rescue operations. His presence of mind helped them to overcome troubles. But their chances of sailing to those islands were slim because the wind and sea did not seem to abate. Q. The narrator was a lover of thrill and adventure. However. Despite their young years. we see other traits in the narrator which make him a good captain. The narrator checked the charts and found that there were two small islands. Q. They had lost the main compass but he made discount for magnetic variation in the spare one and then asked Larry to steer a course of 180degrees. They succeeded in reaching Ile Amsterdam in 4 hours. He had his priorities fixed. The crew members Larry and Herb worked tirelessly and did not abandon ship. He had worked with diligence and prepared for the trip with great care and attention. He re-checked his calculations. the captain of the ship must go down with it and attempt only to save the passengers. waterproofed the ship and performed repairs as required. He did not lose hope and remained calm and courageous in the face of difficulties. Traditionally. in this story. The narrator's family and crew showed unconditional team spirit during adversity. He was able to recall the backup electric pump. She also made a card for her parents to show her love and gratitude. selflessness and courage in the face of adversity. Jonathan claimed he was not afraid even to die if he were with his family. Suzanne did not bother her parents with her injuries no matter how extensive they were.