Two Stories about Flying — Class 10 English
First Flight · Chapter 3
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Chapter summary
The story in steps
- A young seagull is afraid to fly, so his family leaves him alone on the ledge.
- Hungry and desperate, he runs toward his mother’s food, falls outward, and then begins to fly.
- He glides, dives, and screams with joy as his family circles him over the sea.
- In the second story, a pilot flies from Paris to England on a clear night with confidence.
- He enters a huge storm cloud, and his compass and radio stop working as he gets lost.
- A mysterious black aeroplane guides him to safety, but the control room says no other plane was there.
Key ideas & terms
- The young seagull
- A fledgling who overcomes his fear and learns to fly.
- His First Flight
- The first story, about conquering the fear of flying.
- The Black Aeroplane
- The second story, about a mysterious rescue in a storm.
- The narrator-pilot
- A pilot guided to safety by an unexplained black aeroplane.
- Fear and courage
- The central theme of overcoming fear to act.
- Mystery
- The unexplained pilot who helps and then vanishes.
शब्दार्थ · Word meanings
- ledge
- narrow shelf on a cliff
- brink
- the very edge
- upbraiding
- scolding angrily
- preening
- cleaning and arranging feathers
- curveting
- moving lightly and playfully
- soared
- flew high in the air
- hysterical
- wild with fear or emotion
- compass
- instrument showing direction
- storm cloud
- dark cloud bringing a storm
- runway
- strip where planes land
Extra questions & answers
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?
He feared that his wings would not support him and that he would fall into the sea, so he hesitated while the rest of his family flew.
How did the young seagull finally learn to fly?
Overcome by hunger, he dived towards his mother’s fish, and as he fell, his wings spread and he found himself flying.
How was the pilot of the aeroplane helped in the storm?
A mysterious black aeroplane appeared and guided him out of the storm cloud to a safe landing on a runway.
What was strange about the rescue in “The Black Aeroplane”?
On landing, the pilot learned that no other plane had been flying that night, leaving his rescuer a mystery.
How did the young seagull’s family try to make him fly?
They coaxed, scolded and threatened him, and finally left him alone and hungry on the ledge, hoping that hunger would force him to take the plunge.
How did the young seagull feel once he was flying?
He was terrified at first, then overjoyed and triumphant, and finally landed safely on the green sea, where his family welcomed and praised him.
In “The Black Aeroplane”, why was the narrator eager to get home?
He was flying his old Dakota to England and looked forward to a holiday with his family and a good English breakfast.
What danger did the narrator face in the storm, and how did he feel?
He flew into a huge, dark storm cloud; his compass and radio stopped working and he was lost, frightened and low on fuel.
How was the narrator finally saved?
A mysterious black aeroplane appeared beside him and guided him through the storm to a runway where he landed safely.
What is common to both stories in this chapter?
Both deal with overcoming fear and with the unexpected help that comes in a moment of crisis, celebrating courage and the mystery of survival.
Before You Read
A young seagull is afraid to fly. How does he conquer his fear?
The young seagull conquers his fear when hunger drives him to dive towards the piece of fish held by his mother. As he falls from the ledge, his wings spread naturally, and he discovers that he can fly. His fear then disappears, and he begins to soar, dive and turn confidently.
A pilot is lost in storm clouds. Does he arrive safely? Who helps him?
Yes, the pilot arrives safely at an airport. A mysterious pilot flying a black aeroplane guides him through the storm to the runway. However, the control centre later says that no other aeroplane was flying, so the identity of the helper remains unexplained.
His First Flight — Thinking about the Text
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
The young seagull was afraid because the sea lay far below the ledge, and he believed that his wings would not support him. Some young birds may be more timid than others, although flying is natural to them. In the same way, a human baby may hesitate before taking its first steps because balancing and moving independently are new experiences.
“The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
The statement suggests that the seagull was extremely hungry and could no longer control his desire for food. His mother stopped just beyond his reach with a piece of fish in her beak. Driven by hunger, he dived towards it and was forced to use his wings, which led to his first flight.
“They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull's father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
The parents knew that the young seagull was physically capable of flying but was being held back by fear. They threatened, scolded and encouraged him because they wanted him to overcome his hesitation, become independent and learn the skill necessary for survival.
Have you ever had a similar experience, where your parents encouraged you to do something that you were too scared to try? Discuss this in pairs or groups.
Sample answer: I was once afraid to ride a bicycle without support. My parents encouraged me to keep trying and assured me that they were nearby. After a few attempts, I learnt to balance and ride independently. The experience taught me that fear often decreases when we make a sincere attempt.
In the case of a bird flying, it seems a natural act, and a foregone conclusion that it should succeed. In the examples you have given in answer to the previous question, was your success guaranteed, or was it important for you to try, regardless of a possibility of failure?
Success was not guaranteed because learning a new skill involves mistakes and repeated effort. It was important to try despite the possibility of failure. Each attempt built confidence and improved my ability until I finally succeeded.
His First Flight — Speaking
Prepare a presentation on the progression of models of airplanes.
A suitable presentation may trace the development of aircraft from early gliders to propeller-driven planes, passenger aircraft and modern high-speed aeroplanes. It should explain how changes in design, engines, materials and navigation systems made flying safer, faster and more efficient.
Prepare a presentation on the progression of models of motorcars.
A suitable presentation may show how motorcars developed from early engine-powered carriages into mass-produced cars and then into modern vehicles with improved safety, comfort and fuel efficiency. It may also mention electric and hybrid cars as later developments.
Prepare a presentation on birds and their wing span.
A suitable presentation may compare birds with different wing spans and explain how wing size and shape suit their ways of flying. Birds that soar for long periods generally have broad or long wings, while birds that move quickly through confined spaces often have shorter wings.
Prepare a presentation on migratory birds by tracing their flights.
A suitable presentation may explain that migratory birds travel seasonally between breeding and feeding regions. It can trace selected routes on a map and describe how birds use natural signs, inherited behaviour and environmental conditions during their journeys.
His First Flight — Writing
Write a short composition on your initial attempts at learning a skill. You could describe the challenges of learning to ride a bicycle or learning to swim. Make it as humorous as possible.
My first bicycle lesson began with great confidence and ended in a bush. Father held the carrier and promised not to let go. I pedalled proudly, believing I had become a champion in thirty seconds. Then I heard him cheering from several metres behind me. The bicycle immediately forgot how to remain upright. I turned left, the handle turned right, and we both entered a hedge without permission. After several wobbles, two bruises and much laughter, I finally learnt to balance. By evening, I could ride straight, although the neighbourhood dogs still kept a safe distance.
The Black Aeroplane — Thinking about the Text
“I'll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
The risk is flying the old Dakota directly into the huge storm clouds instead of returning to Paris. The narrator takes it because he wants to reach England, be with his family and enjoy breakfast at home. His eagerness makes him ignore the danger.
Describe the narrator's experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.
Inside the storm, everything became completely dark, and the aeroplane jumped and twisted violently. The compass and other instruments stopped working, the radio became dead, and the narrator could not see where he was. Lost and frightened, he then noticed a mysterious black aeroplane whose pilot signalled him to follow.
Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?
The narrator had passed through a terrifying storm in which his instruments and radio failed and his fuel nearly ran out. After landing safely, he felt relieved to leave the old Dakota because the dangerous flight had made him fear for his life.
What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?
The narrator asked her about the other pilot who had guided him to the airport. She looked at him strangely because the radar had shown only his Dakota, and no other aeroplane had been flying in the storm.
Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among yourselves and give reasons for your answer.
The story deliberately leaves the helper's identity uncertain. The black aeroplane may be viewed as a mysterious or supernatural guide because it appeared when the narrator was lost, had no lights, vanished after leading him to safety, and was not seen on the radar. It is also possible that the exhausted and frightened narrator imagined it, though the exact guidance to the runway makes the mystery difficult to explain.
The Black Aeroplane — Thinking about Language: Meanings of “black”
What does “black” mean in the sentence: “Go and have a bath; your hands and face are absolutely black”?
It means extremely dirty or covered with dark dirt or soot.
What does “black” mean in the sentence: “The taxi-driver gave Ratan a black look as he crossed the road when the traffic light was green”?
It means an angry, hostile or disapproving look.
What does “blackest” mean in the sentence: “The bombardment of Hiroshima is one of the blackest crimes against humanity”?
It means one of the most evil, cruel or shameful crimes.
What does “black” mean in the phrase “black comedy”?
It refers to comedy that treats serious, disturbing or tragic subjects in a darkly humorous manner.
What does “in black” mean in the sentence about shopkeepers selling essential goods in black?
It means selling goods illegally, usually at an unfairly high price outside the lawful market.
What does “black and blue” mean in the sentence: “Villagers had beaten the criminal black and blue”?
It means beaten so severely that the body became bruised.
The Black Aeroplane — Thinking about Language: Phrases with “fly”
Match “fly a flag” with its meaning.
Display a flag on a long pole.
Match “fly into a rage” with its meaning.
Become suddenly very angry.
Match “fly along” with its meaning.
Move quickly or suddenly.
Match “fly high” with its meaning.
Be successful.
Match “fly the coop” with its meaning.
Escape from a place.
The Black Aeroplane — Thinking about Language: Words related to flying
From the given list, select the words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as flying or moving through the air with wings.
The relevant words are swoop, flit, flutter, skim, dart, hover, glide, soar and flap. Depending on context, ascend and descend can also describe movement through the air, while float and sail may suggest smooth movement in air.
The Black Aeroplane — Writing
Have you ever been alone or away from home during a thunderstorm? Narrate your experience in a paragraph.
Sample answer: Once I was returning from school when a thunderstorm began suddenly. The sky darkened, strong winds shook the trees, and flashes of lightning were followed by loud thunder. I took shelter in a nearby shop and called my family to tell them that I was safe. Although I felt nervous, watching the rain from a secure place helped me remain calm. When the storm weakened, I returned home carefully.
The Black Aeroplane — Further Discussion
Was the phantom plane really there, or did the pilot imagine it? If it was really there, who could have been piloting it?
The text does not provide a definite answer. The plane may have been real because its pilot guided the narrator accurately to the runway. However, its lack of lights, sudden disappearance and absence from radar make it seem supernatural. It may have been piloted by an unknown guardian-like figure, or it may have been a vision created by the narrator's fear and exhaustion.
Narrate a story about flying, such as flying in an aeroplane, flying a kite or watching a bird fly.
Sample answer: One windy afternoon, I took a kite to the roof and tried repeatedly to lift it into the air. At first it dragged along the ground, but a strong gust finally carried it upward. As I released more string, the kite rose above the houses and seemed to float freely among the clouds. Keeping it steady required patience, quick movement and close attention to the wind. When I finally brought it down safely, I understood why flying can feel both exciting and difficult.
How to Tell Wild Animals — Thinking about the Poem
Does “dyin'” really rhyme with “lion”? Can you say it in such a way that it does?
In standard pronunciation, the words do not form an exact rhyme. The poet shortens and playfully pronounces “dying” as “dyin'” so that it sounds closer to “lion” and maintains the poem's comic rhythm.
How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do so, according to him?
The poet jokingly says that the Asian lion can be identified when a large tawny beast roars at a person, while the Bengal tiger can be identified by its black stripes on a yellow body and by the fact that it eats the observer. According to the poem, recognition occurs only during the dangerous encounter or attack.
Do you think the words “lept” and “lep” in the third stanza are spelt correctly? Why does the poet spell them like this?
No, their standard forms are “leapt” and “leap.” The poet deliberately changes the spellings to create a rhyme with “leopard” and “peppered” and to add to the poem's playful humour.
Do you know what a “bearhug” is? Are there similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in your own language or languages?
A bear hug is a very strong, tight hug. The poem humorously connects it with the way a bear attacks. Similar animal-based expressions exist in many languages. For example, a very clever person may be compared to a fox, a brave person to a lion and false sorrow to crocodile tears.
Look at the line “A novice might nonplus”. How would you write this correctly? Why is the poet's incorrect line better in the poem?
A grammatically regular form would be “A novice might be nonplussed.” The poet's version is better in the poem because it is shorter, fits the rhythm and rhyme, and strengthens the humorous misuse of language.
Can you find other examples of poets taking liberties with language, either in English or in your own language or languages? Can you find examples of humorous poems in your own language or languages?
Poets often shorten words, alter pronunciation, reverse normal word order or create unusual forms to preserve rhythm, rhyme and humour. In Hindi humorous poetry, poets may use colloquial expressions, exaggerated comparisons and playful rhymes in a similar way. Such liberties are effective when they are deliberate and suit the poem's tone.
Much of the humour in the poem arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. Which lines do you especially like, and what do you find funny about them?
The lines about identifying a tiger by noticing whether it eats the observer are especially funny. The poet presents a deadly situation as though it were a calm scientific test. The contrast between the serious instructional tone and the absurdly dangerous advice creates humour.
The Ball Poem — Thinking about the Poem
Why does the poet say, “I would not intrude on him”? Why doesn't he offer him money to buy another ball?
The poet does not want to interrupt the boy's first serious experience of loss. Offering money or another ball would not restore the memories and emotional value connected with the lost ball. The boy must be allowed to understand that some losses cannot simply be replaced.
“…staring down/All his young days into the harbour where/His ball went…” Do you think the boy has had the ball for a long time? Is it linked to the memories of days when he played with it?
The expression suggests that the ball is connected with many of the boy's childhood memories. He appears to see not merely an object sinking into the water but a part of his young life and past happiness disappearing with it.
What does “in the world of possessions” mean?
It means the human world in which people own, value and become emotionally attached to material things. In such a world, possessions may be damaged, taken away or lost, and people must learn to face that reality.
Do you think the boy has lost anything earlier? Pick out the words that suggest the answer.
The boy probably has not experienced a meaningful loss before. The words “He senses first responsibility” and “He is learning” suggest that this is his first real lesson in accepting loss.
What does the poet say the boy is learning from the loss of the ball? Explain this in your own words.
The boy is learning that possessions do not last forever and that money cannot restore everything that is lost. He must accept the pain, take responsibility for his belongings and develop the strength to stand up and continue after a loss.
Have you ever lost something you liked very much? Write a paragraph describing how you felt then, and saying whether and how you got over your loss.
Sample answer: I once lost a notebook in which I had written stories and drawn pictures for several years. I searched everywhere and felt deeply upset because another notebook could not replace the time and memories connected with it. Gradually, I accepted that it was gone and began a new notebook. Recalling some of the old ideas and creating new ones helped me overcome the loss.