1. His First Flight – Liam O’Flaherty

Theme: Courage, Overcoming Fear, and Self-Confidence

Summary:

A young seagull is afraid to fly, while his siblings have already learned.
His parents try to encourage him, but he remains on the ledge, hungry and scared.
Finally, his mother tricks him by holding food just out of reach, forcing him to jump.
At first, he panics, but soon discovers his wings and starts flying joyfully.
The family celebrates his success.

Moral:

✔ Fear is only in the mind – sometimes, we need a little push to realize our potential.

2. The Black Aeroplane – Frederick Forsyth

Theme: Mystery, Hope, and Divine Help

Summary:

A pilot is flying his old Dakota plane at night, eager to return home for breakfast.
Suddenly, he enters stormy clouds, losing control and radio contact.
A mysterious black aeroplane appears, guiding him safely through the storm.
After landing, the control room tells him no other plane was detected on radar.
The pilot wonders who helped him—a ghost plane or a guardian angel?

Moral:

✔ Miracles happen – sometimes, help comes from unexpected sources.

Key Takeaways (Both Stories):

His First Flight: Face your fears to achieve greatness.
The Black Aeroplane: Trust and hope can save you in tough times.

I. His First Flight

1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid, or are some more timid? Is it like a human baby’s first steps?

Answer:

The young seagull feared flying because he lacked confidence and thought his wings wouldn’t support him.
Not all birds are equally timid—some may hesitate (like the seagull), while others instinctively fly (e.g., ducks imprinting on their parents).
Human babies also struggle with first steps due to fear of falling, but encouragement helps them overcome it, just like the seagull.

2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled him to finally fly?

Answer:

“Maddened him” means the hunger made him desperate and reckless.
His mother’s trick (holding fish just out of reach) and his starvation forced him to dive, leading to his first flight.

3. Why did the seagull’s parents threaten and cajole him to fly?

Answer:

They wanted him to learn survival—flying is essential for food and safety.
Their tough love (scolding, denying food) pushed him to overcome fear, showing that parents sometimes use strictness for growth.

4. Have you ever been encouraged by parents to face a fear? Share an example.

Example Answer:
(Discuss in pairs/group. Sample response:)

Fear: Swimming in deep water.
Parents’ Role: My father held my hand at first, then let go gradually.
Outcome: I realized I could float, and my fear vanished.

5. Is success guaranteed in flying (or life challenges), or is trying more important?

Answer:

For birds, flying is natural, but success isn’t instant—the seagull almost fell before soaring.
In human life (e.g., riding a bicycle, public speaking), failure is possible, but trying builds confidence.
Lesson: Effort matters more than guaranteed success. Even if you fail, you learn.

Key Takeaways

Fear is natural, but courage comes from facing it (like the seagull or a baby’s first steps).
Parental support can be tough but necessary for growth.
Trying is crucial—success isn’t always immediate, but the attempt leads to progress.

II. The Black Aeroplane

1. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?

Answer:

The risk was flying into the storm clouds without proper instruments or radio contact.
The narrator took it because he was eager to get home for breakfast and hoped to pass through quickly.

2. Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.

Answer:

The storm clouds were dark and mountainous, making visibility zero.
His compass and radio stopped working, leaving him helpless.
He felt lost and terrified until the mysterious black aeroplane appeared and guided him.

3. Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?

Answer:

He was relieved to survive the dangerous storm.
The experience was so frightening that he felt no attachment to the plane afterward.

4. What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?

Answer:

She was shocked because no other plane was detected on radar during the storm, making the black aeroplane’s existence inexplicable.

5. Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss and give reasons.

Possible Answer:

Supernatural Help: The black aeroplane had no radio, no lights, and vanished mysteriously, suggesting divine intervention (e.g., guardian angel).
Hallucination: Stress and fear might have made the pilot imagine a guide.
Secret Aircraft: Some suggest it could be a time-traveling or advanced military plane, but no evidence supports this.

Vocabulary & Grammar Exercises

I. Meanings of ‘Black’ in Different Contexts

Dirty (covered in dirt)
Angry (a hostile glare)
Evil/wicked (a terrible crime)
Dark humor (comedy with serious themes)
Illegal trade (selling goods at higher prices)
Severely bruised (beaten until bruised)

II. Match the Phrases (Fly + Preposition)

Fly a flag – Display a flag on a long pole ✅
Fly into rage – Become suddenly very angry ✅
Fly along – Move quickly/suddenly ✅
Fly high – Be successful ✅
Fly the coop – Escape from a place ✅

III. Synonyms of ‘Fly’ (Birds/Insects)

✔ Swoop, flit, flutter, dart, hover, glide, soar, sail, flap
✖ Paddle, ride, sink, descend, stay, fall (not related to flying)

Key Takeaways

The Black Aeroplane leaves readers with a mystery—was it real or imaginary?
The story highlights hope, faith, and survival in desperate situations.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying

1. His First Flight – Liam O’Flaherty

Summary:

Moral:

2. The Black Aeroplane – Frederick Forsyth

Summary:

Moral:

Key Takeaways (Both Stories):

I. His First Flight

1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid, or are some more timid? Is it like a human baby’s first steps?

2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled him to finally fly?

3. Why did the seagull’s parents threaten and cajole him to fly?

4. Have you ever been encouraged by parents to face a fear? Share an example.

5. Is success guaranteed in flying (or life challenges), or is trying more important?

Key Takeaways

II. The Black Aeroplane

1. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?

2. Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.

3. Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?

4. What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?

5. Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss and give reasons.

Vocabulary & Grammar Exercises

I. Meanings of ‘Black’ in Different Contexts

II. Match the Phrases (Fly + Preposition)

III. Synonyms of ‘Fly’ (Birds/Insects)

Key Takeaways

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