Deep Water by William Douglas is the third chapter in the Class 12 English Flamingo book. It is an autobiographical piece where the author talks about his fear of water and how he overcame it. This is not just a story about swimming, but about fear, courage, determination, and personal growth. Douglas takes us through a terrifying experience from his childhood and shows us how he faced the same fear again and again till he conquered it completely.
I decided to write about Deep Water because it’s not just useful for students to score in their board exams, but it also gives a strong life lesson. Many students—like me—face some form of fear, whether it’s stage fright, fear of exams, or even fear of failure. This chapter teaches that fear is natural, but it should not control our life. I personally feel this story helps students relate to their own struggles and motivates them to keep trying. It’s a reminder that real strength is not about being fearless, but about fighting the fear till it goes away. That’s why I think this chapter deserves to be discussed in detail.
Summary of Deep Water
Deep Water is a first-person account written by William Douglas, a former judge of the US Supreme Court. The story is a reflection on an incident that happened in his childhood and how it shaped his confidence and mindset later in life.
Main Points:
- The Beginning of Fear:
Douglas was afraid of water from the age of three when he was knocked over by waves at a beach in California. That memory stayed with him. - A Worse Incident:
When he was ten or eleven, he went to a swimming pool at YMCA in Yakima. One day, a big boy picked him up and threw him into the deep end of the pool for fun. Douglas sank like a stone and thought he was going to die. He tried to come up but failed. That moment left a deep scar in his mind. - Struggling with Fear:
After that, he avoided water completely. Even though he loved fishing and other outdoor activities, his fear of drowning stopped him. - Overcoming the Fear:
Later, Douglas hired a swimming instructor. The instructor taught him each part of swimming slowly—from floating to breathing to kicking. Over several months, Douglas learned to swim again. - Final Victory:
Even after learning to swim, he tested himself alone in lakes and rivers to be sure that the fear was really gone. He realised that once fear is faced and challenged, it disappears.
Themes and Life Lessons
The chapter is much more than a childhood story. Here are the main lessons and messages from Deep Water:
- Face Your Fears:
Fear grows when we avoid it. But once we decide to face it, we become stronger than the fear itself. - Courage is a Process:
Douglas didn’t become brave overnight. It took time, effort, and patience. - Mental Strength:
The story shows how mental training is just as important as physical training. - Personal Growth:
The author not only learned swimming but also grew as a person. This incident gave him the courage to face bigger challenges in life.
Character Sketch of William Douglas
| Character Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Fearful | As a child, he was deeply scared of water due to a bad experience. |
| Determined | Instead of living with fear, he chose to fight it. |
| Honest | He openly shares his fear and how it affected him. |
| Inspiring | His story motivates readers to fight their own fears and never give up. |
Exam Preparation Tips for Deep Water
Here are some common question types based on this chapter:
| Question Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Short Answer | What made Douglas fear water at first? |
| Long Answer | How did Douglas overcome his fear of water? What did he learn from the experience? |
| Value-Based | Why is the story called “Deep Water”? What does it symbolise? |
| Extract-Based | “The instructor was finished. But I was not finished.” – Explain this line. |
Tip: Try to connect the answers to real-life situations. Use keywords like fear, courage, practice, transformation when writing long answers.
Download PDF – NCERT Class 12 Flamingo Chapter 3
To read the full chapter Deep Water, you can download the official PDF from this website. It’s free and safe to use for all students.
