The taker thunderbolt apparently has some paralells to when humans were first attempting to develope a maching that would suport a human being, or in this case , a civilization, and ake flight. Even as the thunderbolt kept approaching land, the Takers, being in the pilot's position, didn't worry much because they were still in the air. All they had to do, they surmised, was pedal a little harder. Surely, if they did this, they would be all right, and the thunderbolt would soar. However, this tuhnderbolt is quickly approaching land, and its arrival is not likely to be soft. Ishmael told the story to illustrate to the main charcter an event of pattern of Taker history.