Deep Water
By William Douglas
Learning Objectives
I will be able to:
• deduce meanings of difficult words from the context.
• critically analyse the factual details from the lesson and answer evaluative and
extrapolative questions.
• analyse and interpret the theme of the lesson
D-Words
Treacherous
Bruise
Flail
Oblivion
Vestiges
Word meanings
Treacherous=Unreliable, very dangerous and difficult to deal with.
Bruise=large strong aggressive youth/man
Flail = To move or swing arms or legs in a wild and uncontrolled way
Oblivion = Unconsciousness
Vestiges = Remnants , remaining parts
Answer the following questions
1. What was the misadventure of Douglas?
Ans. One day, an eighteen-year-old big bruiser picked him up and tossed him into
the nine feet deep end of the YMCA swimming pool. He hit the water surface in a
sitting position. He swallowed water and went at once to the bottom. He nearly died
in this misadventure but was somehow miraculously saved from the mouth of death.
2. What thought of Roosevelt deeply impacted Douglas? How did he apply the
thought to his life?
Ans. The thought of Roosevelt that there is terror in the fear of death, had deep
impact on Douglas. He had experienced both the sensation of dying and the terror of
the fear of death. But later he brushed aside his fear by challenging it by the strong
will power and firm determination. He applied it and finally succeeded to
overcome the fear.
3. Why was Douglas determined to get over his fear of water?
Ans. His fear of water ruined his fishing trips. It deprived him of the joy of
canoeing, boating, and swimming. Douglas used every way he knew to overcome
this fear he had developed ’since childhood. Even as an adult, it held him firmly in
its grip. He determined to get an instructor and learn swimming to get over this fear
of water.
4. How did Douglas overcome his fear of water?
Ans. The fear of water haunted Douglas for many years till he decided to hire the
services of an instructor and started practising five days a week. The instructor
devised a method by which Douglas could learn swimming without fear. Douglas
was to wear a belt around his waist and attached to this was a rope that went through
a pulley that ran on an overhead cable. After three months, he had begun to relax.
The instructor also put him through the exercise of moving his legs in water by the
side of the pool and though at first Douglas felt paralyzed and quite unable to move,
with sustained effort, he soon overcame it. The instructor then felt that his job was
done and that he had made a swimmer out of Douglas. He swam in different lakes
and rivers and it was after he had swum in Warm Lake that he knew that he had at
last conquered the fear of water.
Think and Answer
1. It is often said that ‘No Pains, No Gains’. One cannot get anything if
one does not work hard. Write an article on the ‘topic, mentioned
above, in not more than 120 words.
Ans. No Pains, no Gains
The dictum implies that one can’t attain phenomenal success without making
sincere efforts. There is no substitute to hard work. There is no short cut to
success. All successful persons have emphasised the importance of hard work
in life. Nobody achieved greatness overnight. The secret of their success was
hard and systematic work. Destiny never obliges the shirkers. God helps those
who help themselves. Rome was not built in a day. Man must comprehend the
significance of doing hard labour. One must bum the midnight oil to succeed
in this world of intense competition. Never forget that rest is rust and work is
worship. A person who toils and work hard gets applause and recognition
everywhere. Hard work is the only key to success. Those who work hard
flourish and those who are passive rain their earthly existence. They lose their
identity. Industrious people reach at their long-cherished destinations. They
lead their fellow human beings with politeness and humility.
2.Desire, determination and diligence lead to success. Explain the value of
these qualities in the light of Douglas’ experience in ‘Deep Water’.
Ans:
Success Criteria :
• I can interpret the theme of the lesson.
• I can analyse and answer extrapolative questions related to the lesson.
