✈️ Two Stories About Flying
NCERT Class X English First Flight – Chapter 3 Study Notes
Chapter Overview
Chapter Introduction
Chapter: Two Stories About Flying
Stories Included: “His First Flight” by Liam O’Flaherty and “The Black Aeroplane” by Frederick Forsyth
Common Theme: Overcoming fear and challenges related to flying
CBSE Board Weightage: 8-12 marks (Extract based questions, Short answers, Long answers)
Key Focus: Courage, determination, fear, and the journey of overcoming obstacles
📖 Story 1: His First Flight
- Author: Liam O’Flaherty
- Protagonist: Young seagull
- Theme: Overcoming fear of flying
- Setting: Cliff ledge by the sea
- Message: Courage comes from necessity
- Genre: Animal story with human parallels
📖 Story 2: The Black Aeroplane
- Author: Frederick Forsyth
- Protagonist: Pilot
- Theme: Mysterious help in crisis
- Setting: Sky during storm
- Message: Help comes when needed most
- Genre: Mystery/Supernatural story
Why These Stories Are Paired
Both stories deal with flying and overcoming challenges, but from different perspectives:
- Internal vs External Conflict: First story focuses on internal fear, second on external danger
- Natural vs Supernatural: First is realistic, second has mysterious elements
- Self-reliance vs Help: First emphasizes personal courage, second shows receiving help
- Growth vs Survival: First is about growing up, second about surviving crisis
“The sight of the food maddened him. How he loved to tear food that way, scraping his beak now and again to whet it.”
Key Learning Outcomes
Understanding Fear
- Fear is natural and universal
- Fear can be both protective and limiting
- Overcoming fear leads to growth
- Sometimes fear is overcome by necessity
Importance of Courage
- Courage is not absence of fear
- Taking the first step is crucial
- Support from others helps build confidence
- Success builds further courage
Life Lessons
- Growth requires leaving comfort zones
- Family support is important for development
- Help often comes when most needed
- Perseverance leads to success
Literary Techniques
- Animal symbolism for human behavior
- Suspense and mystery elements
- Descriptive imagery of flying
- Parallel themes in different contexts
Connection to Real Life
These stories reflect common human experiences:
For Students
- Fear of new challenges (exams, presentations)
- Need for encouragement from family/teachers
- Learning to be independent
- Building confidence through small successes
Universal Applications
- Starting a new job or career
- Learning new skills
- Facing difficult situations
- Receiving unexpected help in crisis
Detailed Story Analysis
📖 Story 1: His First Flight
Author: Liam O’Flaherty (Irish writer, 1896-1984)
Setting: A cliff ledge overlooking the sea
Main Character: A young seagull afraid to fly
Plot Summary – His First Flight
The Situation
- Young seagull alone on cliff ledge for 24 hours
- Too afraid to take his first flight
- Family has flown away, leaving him behind
- Hungry and desperate but still fearful
The Family’s Approach
- Parents and siblings try to encourage him
- They call to him and demonstrate flying
- Show him how to catch fish
- Eventually ignore him to force independence
The Turning Point
- Mother appears with food in her beak
- Seagull is extremely hungry
- Reaches out desperately for the food
- Falls off the ledge in his eagerness
The Success
- Wings automatically spread during fall
- Discovers he can fly naturally
- Experiences joy and freedom of flight
- Family celebrates his achievement
📖 Story 2: The Black Aeroplane
Author: Frederick Forsyth (British author, born 1938)
Setting: Sky over England during a storm
Main Character: A pilot flying home
Plot Summary – The Black Aeroplane
The Journey Begins
- Pilot flying from France to England
- Clear weather, looking forward to holiday
- Planning to reach home for breakfast
- Flying over Paris at 1 AM
The Storm
- Encounters huge black storm clouds
- Decides to fly through instead of around
- Wants to get home quickly
- Enters the dangerous storm
The Crisis
- Compass and radio stop working
- Lost in complete darkness
- Fuel running dangerously low
- Cannot see anything outside
The Mysterious Help
- Black aeroplane appears beside him
- Pilot signals him to follow
- Leads him safely through storm
- Disappears after guiding to safety
Character Analysis
The Young Seagull
- Initial State: Fearful, dependent, hesitant
- Motivation: Hunger overcomes fear
- Transformation: Gains confidence and independence
- Symbolism: Represents anyone facing first challenges
The Pilot
- Initial State: Confident, experienced, eager
- Challenge: Faces unexpected danger
- Response: Accepts help gracefully
- Mystery: Questions the source of help
“I looked down and saw the lights of the runway. I was safe! I turned to look for my friend in the black aeroplane, but the sky was empty.”
Comparative Analysis
Similarities
- Both involve flying and overcoming challenges
- Protagonists face moments of crisis
- Help comes at crucial moments
- Both end with successful resolution
- Themes of courage and perseverance
Differences
- Natural vs supernatural elements
- Internal fear vs external danger
- Family help vs stranger’s help
- Realistic vs mysterious resolution
- Growth story vs survival story
Literary Techniques
- Symbolism: Flying represents freedom and growth
- Suspense: Both create tension and uncertainty
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions of flying experiences
- Metaphor: Flying as metaphor for life challenges
Themes Explored
- Overcoming fear and self-doubt
- Importance of taking risks for growth
- Help and support in times of need
- The mystery of unexpected assistance
Major Themes
🦅 Overcoming Fear
Both stories show how fear can be conquered through necessity, courage, and sometimes external help
💪 Courage and Determination
The importance of taking the first step and persevering through challenges to achieve success
🤝 Help and Support
How assistance from family, friends, or even strangers can be crucial in overcoming obstacles
🌱 Growth and Independence
The journey from dependence to independence and the natural process of maturation
✨ Mystery and Faith
The unexplained help that sometimes comes in our darkest moments, requiring faith and acceptance
🎯 Perseverance
The importance of not giving up when faced with difficulties and continuing to strive for goals
Central Messages
The chapter conveys several important life lessons through these two contrasting yet complementary stories:
From “His First Flight”
- Fear is natural but must be overcome for growth
- Sometimes we need a push to discover our abilities
- Family support is crucial for building confidence
- Success comes to those who take risks
- Natural instincts often guide us when we trust them
From “The Black Aeroplane”
- Help often comes from unexpected sources
- We should be open to accepting assistance
- Some experiences cannot be fully explained
- Gratitude is important even when we can’t thank the helper
- Faith and hope can guide us through dark times
“He felt his feet sinking into the green sea, and then his belly touched it and he sank no farther. He was floating on it, and around him his family was screaming, praising him and their beaks were offering him scraps of dog-fish.”
Psychological Themes
Fear Psychology
- Paralysis: Fear can prevent action and growth
- Survival Instinct: Basic needs can overcome fear
- Learned Behavior: Confidence builds through experience
- Social Support: Family encouragement helps overcome fear
Crisis Response
- Problem-Solving: Finding solutions under pressure
- Accepting Help: Recognizing when assistance is needed
- Adaptability: Adjusting to unexpected situations
- Resilience: Bouncing back from difficult experiences
Universal Applications
These themes apply to various life situations:
- Education: Overcoming fear of new subjects or challenges
- Career: Taking risks for professional growth
- Relationships: Building confidence in social situations
- Personal Development: Stepping out of comfort zones
- Crisis Management: Handling unexpected difficulties
CBSE Board Questions & Answers
Question Pattern Analysis
Extract Based (3-4 marks)
- Reading comprehension from both stories
- Character emotions and motivations
- Situational analysis and context
Short Answer (2-3 marks)
- Character behavior and decisions
- Theme identification and explanation
- Comparison between stories
Long Answer (5-6 marks)
- Detailed character analysis
- Theme exploration with examples
- Comparative study of both stories
Extract Based Questions (3-4 marks each)
-
Extract: “The sight of the food maddened him. How he loved to tear food that way, scraping his beak now and again to whet it.”
a) Who is ‘him’ in the passage? b) Why was he maddened by the sight of food? c) What does this reveal about his state?Answer:
a) ‘Him’ refers to the young seagull who was afraid to fly.
b) He was maddened by the sight of food because he had been hungry for over 24 hours, having been left alone on the ledge without food.
c) This reveals his desperate hunger and how his basic survival instinct was becoming stronger than his fear of flying. -
Extract: “I looked down and saw the lights of the runway. I was safe! I turned to look for my friend in the black aeroplane, but the sky was empty.”
a) Who is the speaker? b) Why was he looking for his friend? c) What is mysterious about this situation?Answer:
a) The speaker is the pilot who was lost in the storm.
b) He was looking for his friend to thank him for guiding him safely through the storm to the runway.
c) The mystery is that the black aeroplane and its pilot had completely disappeared, and later inquiry revealed no other plane was flying that night.
Short Answer Questions (2-3 marks each)
-
Q1: Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? What did his family do to help him? (3 marks)
Answer: The young seagull was afraid to fly because he thought his wings would not support him and he would fall into the sea. His family tried to help him by calling to him cheerfully, showing him how to skim the waves and catch fish, and flying around him to encourage him. When direct encouragement didn’t work, they left him alone on the ledge to force him to become independent and overcome his fear through necessity.
-
Q2: What risk did the pilot take in “The Black Aeroplane”? Why did he take this risk? (3 marks)
Answer: The pilot took the risk of flying straight through the huge black storm clouds instead of going around them. He took this risk because he was eager to get home for his holiday breakfast and didn’t want to delay his journey. He wanted to reach home quickly and was willing to face the danger of the storm rather than take the longer, safer route around it.
-
Q3: How did the seagull’s mother help him overcome his fear? (2 marks)
Answer: The seagull’s mother helped him by using his hunger as motivation. She flew near him with a piece of fish in her beak, making him desperate for food. When he reached out for the fish, he fell off the ledge and was forced to spread his wings, discovering that he could fly naturally.
-
Q4: What was mysterious about the black aeroplane? (3 marks)
Answer: The black aeroplane was mysterious because it appeared suddenly in the storm when the pilot was in crisis, guided him safely to the runway without any radio communication, and then disappeared completely. When the pilot inquired at the control tower, he was told that no other aircraft was flying that night, making the identity and existence of the helpful pilot a complete mystery.
Long Answer Questions (5-6 marks each)
-
Q1: Compare and contrast the two stories in “Two Stories About Flying.” How do they complement each other? (6 marks)
Answer: Both stories in “Two Stories About Flying” deal with overcoming challenges related to flying, but they approach the theme from different angles.
Similarities:
• Both protagonists face critical moments involving flying
• Both receive help at crucial times
• Both stories end with successful resolution
• Both emphasize the importance of courage and perseverance
Differences:
• Nature of Challenge: The seagull faces internal fear, while the pilot faces external danger
• Type of Help: The seagull gets help from family, the pilot from a mysterious stranger
• Realism: The first story is realistic, the second has supernatural elements
• Growth vs Survival: The seagull’s story is about growing up, the pilot’s about surviving crisis
How They Complement:
Together, they show that challenges come in different forms – internal fears and external dangers. They demonstrate that help is available in various ways – from loved ones who know us well and from unexpected sources. The stories teach us that courage, determination, and openness to help are essential for overcoming life’s obstacles. -
Q2: Analyze the character of the young seagull in “His First Flight.” What does his journey represent? (5 marks)
Answer: The young seagull represents every individual who faces the challenge of taking their first independent step in life.
Character Analysis:
• Initial State: Fearful, dependent, and lacking confidence in his abilities
• Internal Conflict: Torn between the safety of the familiar ledge and the need to fly
• Motivation: Hunger becomes stronger than fear, forcing him to act
• Transformation: Discovers his natural ability and gains confidence
What His Journey Represents:
• Universal Experience: The fear everyone feels when facing new challenges
• Growing Up: The transition from dependence to independence
• Self-Discovery: Realizing our own capabilities and potential
• Overcoming Limitations: Moving beyond self-imposed barriers
The seagull’s journey symbolizes the human experience of growth, showing that sometimes we need external pressure or motivation to discover our true potential. His story teaches that fear is natural but should not prevent us from taking necessary steps toward independence and self-realization. -
Q3: What is the significance of the title “Two Stories About Flying”? How does flying serve as a metaphor in both stories? (6 marks)
Answer: The title “Two Stories About Flying” is significant because it immediately establishes the common thread between two otherwise different narratives while highlighting the metaphorical importance of flight.
Significance of the Title:
• Unifying Theme: Links two different stories through the common element of flying
• Literal and Metaphorical: Refers to both actual flying and symbolic flight
• Parallel Experiences: Shows how similar challenges can occur in different contexts
• Universal Appeal: Makes the stories relatable to broader human experiences
Flying as Metaphor:
• Freedom and Independence: Flying represents breaking free from limitations
• Overcoming Fear: Taking flight symbolizes conquering internal obstacles
• Growth and Maturation: Learning to fly represents personal development
• Achievement and Success: Successful flight symbolizes accomplishing goals
• Trust and Faith: Flying requires trust in one’s abilities or in help from others
In the first story, flying represents the young seagull’s journey to independence and self-confidence. In the second story, flying through the storm represents navigating life’s unexpected challenges with help from others. Both stories use flying as a powerful metaphor for the human experience of facing fears, accepting help, and achieving success through courage and determination.
Exam Tips for Students
- Character Analysis: Focus on the emotional journey of protagonists
- Theme Connection: Link both stories through common themes
- Textual Evidence: Use specific examples from both stories
- Metaphorical Understanding: Explain flying as symbol for life challenges
- Comparative Analysis: Highlight similarities and differences effectively
Vocabulary & Word Study
CBSE Vocabulary Focus
Understanding key vocabulary enhances comprehension and improves answer quality. These words frequently appear in questions about courage, fear, and overcoming challenges.
Important Words from “His First Flight”
Ledge
Meaning: A narrow horizontal shelf projecting from a wall or cliff
Context: The seagull stood on the ledge of the cliff
Synonyms: Shelf, ridge, projection
Brink
Meaning: The extreme edge of something
Context: The seagull was on the brink of the ledge
Synonyms: Edge, verge, border
Muster
Meaning: To gather or summon (courage, strength, etc.)
Context: He could not muster courage to fly
Synonyms: Gather, summon, collect
Shrilly
Meaning: In a high-pitched, piercing manner
Context: His family called to him shrilly
Synonyms: Piercingly, sharply, loudly
Preening
Meaning: (Of a bird) cleaning and arranging feathers with the beak
Context: His brothers and sister were preening their wings
Synonyms: Grooming, cleaning, arranging
Beckoning
Meaning: Making a gesture to encourage someone to approach
Context: His mother was beckoning to him
Synonyms: Signaling, gesturing, calling
Maddened
Meaning: Made extremely angry or excited
Context: The sight of food maddened him
Synonyms: Enraged, excited, driven crazy
Swooped
Meaning: Moved rapidly downward through the air
Context: He swooped down toward the sea
Synonyms: Dived, plunged, descended rapidly
Important Words from “The Black Aeroplane”
Compass
Meaning: An instrument for finding direction
Context: The compass was not working
Usage: Navigation instrument in aircraft
Obedient
Meaning: Willing to comply with orders or instructions
Context: The aeroplane was obedient
Synonyms: Compliant, submissive, dutiful
Enormous
Meaning: Very large in size or quantity
Context: Enormous black clouds
Synonyms: Huge, massive, gigantic
Frightening
Meaning: Causing fear or dread
Context: The storm looked frightening
Synonyms: Scary, terrifying, alarming
Fuel
Meaning: Material used to produce energy
Context: Running out of fuel
Usage: Essential for aircraft operation
Runway
Meaning: A strip of ground for aircraft takeoff and landing
Context: Saw the lights of the runway
Usage: Airport infrastructure
Control Tower
Meaning: A building at an airport from which air traffic is controlled
Context: Asked the control tower about other aircraft
Usage: Air traffic management center
Mysterious
Meaning: Difficult to understand or explain
Context: The black aeroplane was mysterious
Synonyms: Puzzling, enigmatic, unexplained
Emotional and Descriptive Words
Desperate
Meaning: Feeling or showing extreme urgency or intensity
Context: The seagull was desperate for food
Synonyms: Frantic, urgent, hopeless
Triumphant
Meaning: Feeling or expressing jubilation after success
Context: The seagull felt triumphant after flying
Synonyms: Victorious, successful, elated
Relieved
Meaning: No longer feeling distressed or anxious
Context: The pilot was relieved to see the runway
Synonyms: Comforted, reassured, eased
Grateful
Meaning: Feeling thankful for kindness received
Context: The pilot was grateful for the help
Synonyms: Thankful, appreciative, indebted
Contextual Usage for Exam
-
Use ‘muster’ in the context of the seagull’s story
Answer: “The young seagull could not muster enough courage to take his first flight, despite his family’s encouragement and his own desire to join them.”
-
Explain ‘mysterious’ with reference to the black aeroplane
Answer: “The black aeroplane was mysterious because it appeared suddenly in the storm, helped the pilot navigate to safety, and then disappeared without any trace or explanation from the control tower.”
-
What does ‘beckoning’ mean in the story?
Answer: “Beckoning means making gestures to call someone closer. In the story, the seagull’s mother was beckoning to him with a piece of fish, trying to encourage him to come to her and thereby forcing him to fly.”
Word Formation & Usage
Fear Family
- Fear: Feeling of anxiety (noun)
- Fearful: Full of fear (adjective)
- Fearless: Without fear (adjective)
- Frighten: To cause fear (verb)
Courage Family
- Courage: Bravery (noun)
- Courageous: Showing courage (adjective)
- Encourage: To give confidence (verb)
- Discourage: To make less confident (verb)
Literary Analysis & CBSE Exam Focus
Genre and Style Analysis
“His First Flight” – Animal Story
- Anthropomorphism: Animals with human-like emotions
- Symbolism: Animal behavior represents human experience
- Simple narrative: Straightforward plot structure
- Universal theme: Growing up and overcoming fear
“The Black Aeroplane” – Mystery Story
- Suspense: Building tension through unknown elements
- Supernatural elements: Unexplained phenomena
- First-person narrative: Personal account of experience
- Open ending: Mystery remains unsolved
Literary Devices and Techniques
Symbolism
Flying: Freedom, independence, overcoming obstacles
The Ledge: Comfort zone, safety, but also limitation
Storm Clouds: Life’s challenges and difficulties
Black Aeroplane: Mysterious help, guardian angel
Imagery
Visual: “Enormous black clouds,” “green sea”
Auditory: “Shrilly calling,” “screaming joyfully”
Kinesthetic: “Swooped down,” “wings spread”
Emotional: Fear, desperation, joy, relief
Contrast
Fear vs Courage: Initial hesitation vs final success
Isolation vs Family: Alone on ledge vs surrounded by family
Darkness vs Light: Storm darkness vs runway lights
Known vs Unknown: Familiar vs mysterious helper
Suspense
Will he fly?: Building tension about seagull’s first flight
Survival question: Will the pilot make it through storm?
Mystery element: Who was the mysterious pilot?
Cliffhanger moments: Critical decision points
Narrative Techniques
Point of View
- Third Person Limited: “His First Flight” – seagull’s perspective
- First Person: “The Black Aeroplane” – pilot’s account
- Intimate access: Readers know characters’ thoughts and feelings
- Emotional connection: Creates empathy with protagonists
Structure and Pacing
- Build-up of tension before climactic moments
- Quick resolution after crisis points
- Circular structure – ending with success and relief
- Parallel development of internal and external conflicts
Psychological Analysis
Fear Psychology
- Phobic Response: Irrational fear preventing action
- Comfort Zone: Staying in familiar, safe situations
- Survival Instinct: Basic needs overriding fear
- Learned Helplessness: Believing one cannot succeed
Growth Psychology
- Developmental Crisis: Necessary challenges for growth
- Self-Efficacy: Belief in one’s ability to succeed
- Resilience Building: Overcoming challenges builds strength
- Independence Development: Moving from dependence to autonomy
“He felt his feet sinking into the green sea, and then his belly touched it and he sank no farther. He was floating on it.”
Thematic Analysis for CBSE
Coming of Age
- Transition from childhood to adulthood
- Learning to be independent
- Discovering personal capabilities
- Accepting responsibility for one’s life
Faith and Mystery
- Accepting help from unknown sources
- Believing in positive outcomes
- Trusting in times of crisis
- Acknowledging unexplained phenomena
Family and Support
- Importance of encouragement from loved ones
- Sometimes tough love is necessary
- Celebration of achievements together
- Balancing support with independence
Contemporary Relevance & Real-World Applications
📚 Educational Context
- Academic Fears: Students afraid of difficult subjects or exams
- Public Speaking: Overcoming fear of presentations
- New Schools: Adapting to unfamiliar environments
- Competition: Participating despite fear of failure
- Higher Education: Taking the leap to college or university
💼 Career Development
- Job Interviews: Facing fear of rejection
- Career Changes: Leaving comfortable positions for growth
- Entrepreneurship: Starting own business despite risks
- Leadership Roles: Accepting responsibility and challenges
- Skill Development: Learning new technologies or methods
🌱 Personal Growth
- Relationships: Opening up to new people and experiences
- Travel: Exploring unknown places and cultures
- Hobbies: Trying new activities despite initial fear
- Independence: Living alone or making major decisions
- Self-Expression: Sharing creative work or personal opinions
🆘 Crisis Management
- Health Challenges: Facing medical procedures or treatments
- Financial Difficulties: Seeking help and making tough decisions
- Family Crises: Supporting others while managing own fears
- Natural Disasters: Responding to emergencies with courage
- Unexpected Help: Accepting assistance from strangers
🧠 Mental Health Applications
- Anxiety Disorders: Understanding fear as manageable emotion
- Phobias: Gradual exposure and confidence building
- Depression: Taking small steps toward recovery
- Social Anxiety: Building confidence through support
- Therapy: Accepting help from mental health professionals
🌍 Social Issues
- Immigration: Adapting to new countries and cultures
- Social Justice: Speaking up despite potential consequences
- Community Service: Helping others overcome their challenges
- Environmental Action: Taking steps despite feeling overwhelmed
- Digital Age: Navigating online challenges and opportunities
Psychological Insights for Modern Readers
🧩 Cognitive Behavioral Lessons
- Thought Patterns: Challenging negative self-talk
- Behavioral Change: Action leading to confidence
- Exposure Therapy: Gradual facing of fears
- Positive Reinforcement: Celebrating small victories
- Support Systems: Importance of encouragement
🎯 Goal Achievement Strategies
- Breaking Barriers: Identifying and overcoming limitations
- Motivation Sources: Finding what drives action
- Risk Assessment: Calculating when to take chances
- Resilience Building: Bouncing back from setbacks
- Success Mindset: Believing in positive outcomes
Critical Appreciation Points
Strengths of the Stories
- Universal Appeal: Themes relevant to all ages and cultures
- Emotional Resonance: Readers can relate to characters’ experiences
- Clear Message: Positive lessons about courage and growth
- Engaging Narrative: Suspenseful and emotionally satisfying
Literary Merit
- Effective use of symbolism and metaphor
- Well-developed character arcs
- Appropriate pacing and structure
- Meaningful themes explored through action
Exam-Focused Analysis Points
- Character Development: Both protagonists undergo significant transformation
- Theme Integration: Flying serves as effective metaphor for life challenges
- Narrative Techniques: Different perspectives enhance story variety
- Emotional Journey: Readers experience fear, tension, and relief with characters
- Universal Messages: Stories teach valuable life lessons
- Literary Devices: Effective use of symbolism, imagery, and suspense