The young seagull “failed to muster up courage to take that plunge”. In what way can the reference to the ‘plunge’ here be both literal and metaphorical? Explain.

The young seagull failed to muster up courage in his flight due to various reasons. Let’s discuss them in detail. Fear of the Unknown The young seagull was hesitant to fly because he had never flown before. He was not aware of the feeling of being in the air, and this made him fearful. Fear of the unknown is a common phenomenon among humans and animals alike. The young seagull was no exception. Lack of Confidence The young seagull lacked confidence in his abilities. He was scared of falling and hurting himself. This lack of confidence made him hesitant to take his first flight. Confidence is an essential ingredient for success. Without it, one cannot achieve their goals. Overprotective Parent The young seagull’s mother was overprotective. She constantly warned him about the dangers of flying and discouraged him from taking risks. This overprotectiveness made the young seagull fearful and hesitant. Parents need to encourage their children to take risks and try new things. Peer Pressure The young seagull’s siblings had already learned to fly, and he felt pressure to do the same. However, he was not ready and felt inferior to his siblings. Peer pressure can be a significant factor in decision making. It is essential to understand that everyone has their own pace of learning and growth. Conclusion In conclusion, the young seagull failed to muster up courage in his flight due to fear of the unknown, lack of confidence, overprotective parent, and peer pressure. These factors can be overcome by exposing oneself to new experiences, building self-confidence, encouraging children to take risks, and understanding that everyone has their own pace of growth.