This chapter contains two short stories about flight and the courage needed to overcome fear. In the first, “His First Flight,” a young seagull is too afraid to fly and is left alone on a ledge while his family soars over the sea. Driven by hunger, he finally dives off the cliff when his mother tempts him with food, and to his joy he discovers that he can fly. The story shows that fear can be conquered when one is forced to act and that confidence comes through trying. In the second, “The Black Aeroplane,” a pilot flying to England through a clear night suddenly enters a strange storm cloud and loses his way, with his compass and radio failing. A mysterious black aeroplane appears and guides him safely to a runway, but when he lands he learns that no other plane was flying that night. Both stories celebrate courage, the help that comes in moments of crisis, and the mystery of survival.
The story in 6 beats
1A young seagull is afraid to fly, so his family leaves him alone on the ledge.
2Hungry and desperate, he runs toward his mother’s food, falls outward, and then begins to fly.
3He glides, dives, and screams with joy as his family circles him over the sea.
4In the second story, a pilot flies from Paris to England on a clear night with confidence.
5He enters a huge storm cloud, and his compass and radio stop working as he gets lost.
6A mysterious black aeroplane guides him to safety, but the control room says no other plane was there.
Overcoming fearCourage and survivalThe young seagull’s first flightMystery in The Black AeroplaneHelp in moments of crisis
Characters & key ideas
TThe young seagullA fledgling who overcomes his fear and learns to fly.
HHis First FlightThe first story, about conquering the fear of flying.
TThe Black AeroplaneThe second story, about a mysterious rescue in a storm.
TThe narrator-pilotA pilot guided to safety by an unexplained black aeroplane.
FFear and courageThe central theme of overcoming fear to act.
MMysteryThe unexplained pilot who helps and then vanishes.
Word meanings · शब्दार्थ
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 (board-style)
Before You Read
His First Flight — Thinking about the Text
His First Flight — Speaking
His First Flight — Writing
The Black Aeroplane — Thinking about the Text
The Black Aeroplane — Thinking about Language: Meanings of “black”
The Black Aeroplane — Thinking about Language: Phrases with “fly”
The Black Aeroplane — Thinking about Language: Words related to flying
The Black Aeroplane — Writing
The Black Aeroplane — Further Discussion
How to Tell Wild Animals — Thinking about the Poem
The Ball Poem — Thinking about the Poem
Try one from this chapter
In “His First Flight,” why did the young seagull not fly?
Flashcards & interactive practice
Practice quiz · Two Stories about Flying
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Two Stories about Flying
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