There are only two days that matter to you in Jason Reynolds' "First Day Fly." The first is the day of the flight itself, a moment filled with anxious anticipation. The protagonist, a young boy, experiences a mashup of excitement and fear as he prepares for this significant event in his life. His stomach churns with nerves as he envisions the experience of taking to the skies. He dreams of the exhilaration of flight, the feeling of freedom that comes with soaring above the ground, yet that same excitement is tempered by the weight of his fears.
As the day unfolds, those feelings begin to evolve. The anticipation transforms into trepidation as the reality of the situation sinks in. The boy grapples with the terrifying possibility of failure, feeling the intense pressure to impress his peers and navigate the complexities of a world that feels daunting. His anxiety manifests in self-doubt, a torrent of ‘what ifs’ bubbling beneath the surface, leading him to momentarily wish he could retreat into the safety of the ground instead of facing the unknown above.
In a powerful turn toward the end, the boy's perspective shifts entirely as he embraces the fundamental idea of flying. He realizes that fear should not hold him back and that failure is simply a part of the journey toward success. It is in this realization that his initial dread transforms into a newfound determination. The stigma of what others may think dissipates, and he learns to trust himself. Ultimately, the boy takes that leap of faith, culminating in the triumphant proclamation, "Fly. So. Fly." This is a moment of liberation, a celebration of courage that redefines his understanding of possibility.