Two Stories About Flying

Part 1: His First Flight by Liam O'Flaherty

Summary

Theme:

This story is about overcoming fear and gaining confidence. It focuses on a young seagull who is scared to fly for the first time.

Main Points:

1. Fear of Flying

• A young seagull is alone on a cliff ledge.

• His siblings have already learned to fly, but he is afraid.

• He thinks his wings won’t support him and he might fall into the sea.

2. Family’s Role

• His parents scolded him and even threatened to leave him hungry if he didn’t fly.

• The family encourages him by flying before him and showing him how it's done.

3. Tempted by Hunger

• After a whole day without food, he sees his mother with a piece of fish.

• She comes close but stops mid-air with the fish just out of reach.

4. The Moment of Courage

• Desperate and hungry, he jumps toward the food.

• He starts falling, but soon his wings catch the air and he begins to fly.

5. Success and Joy

• He feels the wind under his wings and realizes he’s flying!

• His family joins him in the air, proud and happy.

• He lands on the sea and floats, tired but thrilled.

Message:

Fear is natural, but with courage and encouragement, we can overcome it. The first step is the hardest, but it leads to freedom and confidence.

NCERT Questions with Answers

Q1: Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?

Answer:
The young seagull was scared because he thought his wings wouldn’t support him, and he would fall into the sea. He didn’t trust himself and felt nervous about flying. Just like some babies take time to walk, he needed time and courage.

Q2: “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest?

Answer:
This means he was very hungry, and when he saw his mother with food, he couldn't control his hunger. That hunger became stronger than his fear, and it pushed him to jump off the ledge and fly.

Q3: “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s parents threaten and encourage him to fly?

Answer:
His parents wanted him to learn to fly like his brothers and sister. So they tried everything—shouting at him, scolding him, and finally ignoring him to make him take the first step. They knew he could do it; he just needed a push.

Q4: Have you ever had a similar experience, where your parents encouraged you to do something you were too scared to try?

Answer:
Yes, when I was learning to ride a bicycle, I was afraid of falling. But my parents stood by me, encouraged me, and helped me until I could ride it on my own. Just like the seagull, I gained confidence with their support.

Q5: Was your success guaranteed, or was it important for you to try?

Answer:
Success wasn’t guaranteed, but trying was important. I could only learn by making mistakes and trying again. Just like the seagull, I had to believe in myself and take the first step, even if I was scared.

Previous year questions with answers

3 Marks Questions (50–60 words)

Q1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? (CBSE 2017)
Answer:
The young seagull was afraid to fly because he didn’t believe his wings would support him. He thought he would fall into the deep sea. Though his siblings had already flown, his fear stopped him. He needed confidence and courage to take his first flight.

Q2. How did the seagull’s family treat him when he didn’t fly? (CBSE 2018)
Answer:
His family scolded him and stopped giving him food to make him fly. They showed him how to fly and even mocked him. They used strict love to help him overcome fear and become independent.

Q3. What role did hunger play in the young seagull’s first flight? (CBSE 2020)
Answer:
Hunger pushed the seagull to act. When he saw his mother with food, he forgot his fear and jumped to grab it. That leap made him realize he could fly. So, hunger gave him the push he needed.

Q4. Describe the seagull’s feelings when he was in the air for the first time. (CBSE 2019)
Answer:
At first, he felt scared and shocked. But soon, he realized he was flying. He felt the wind under his wings and became happy. He soared with joy and forgot all his fear. It was a moment of pride.

Q5. What message does the story "His First Flight" give us? (CBSE 2022)
Answer:
The story teaches us that courage and self-belief are important. We can’t grow unless we try. Fear is natural, but facing it is the only way to move forward and succeed in life.

6 Marks Questions (100–120 words)

Q6. Describe how the young seagull overcame his fear and learned to fly. (CBSE 2019)
Answer:
The young seagull was afraid of flying, thinking he would fall. His family tried to help him, but he refused to move. They stopped feeding him to encourage him. After a day of hunger, he saw his mother flying near him with food. When she stopped just out of reach, his hunger made him jump. To his surprise, he didn’t fall. He realized he could fly. He felt joy and confidence. His family joined him in the sky, proud of his first flight. This story shows that fear can be defeated with a little courage and the right push.

Q7. Describe the role of the seagull’s family in his learning to fly. (CBSE 2020)
Answer:
The young seagull’s family played an important role in his first flight. They encouraged him by showing how to fly and even scolded him when he didn’t try. When nothing worked, they used a clever trick—his mother tempted him with food. This made him jump, and he unknowingly began to fly. His family didn’t give up on him and supported him silently. Their efforts finally paid off. The story tells us how family support helps us grow and face challenges. The seagull flew only when his hunger became greater than his fear.

Q8. How is the title "His First Flight" suitable for the story? (CBSE 2018)
Answer:
The title "His First Flight" fits the story perfectly because it focuses on the most important moment in the young seagull’s life—his first flight. The story shows his fear, the struggle to overcome it, and finally, his success. It is not just about flying in the air, but also about learning to trust himself. That first flight symbolizes confidence, courage, and growth. Like any first step in life, it is difficult but necessary. The title highlights the importance of this moment in the bird’s life and teaches an important lesson to the readers.

Q9. Compare the young seagull with his siblings. What do we learn from this comparison? (CBSE 2021)
Answer:
The young seagull was more fearful than his siblings. They all had shorter wings than he, yet they bravely took their first flights. They learned to skim the sea and catch fish while he stayed alone on the ledge. The comparison shows that courage is more important than ability. He had the strength but lacked confidence. His siblings show that belief in oneself is the key to success. From them, we learn that hesitation and fear can stop us from growing, even when we are ready.

Q10. How does the story “His First Flight” inspire us to face our fears? (CBSE 2023)
Answer:
“His First Flight” inspires us by showing how the young seagull moves from fear to freedom. He was scared to fly, even though his body was ready. Only when his hunger became unbearable did he try. Once he flew, he realized his wings were strong. The story reminds us that fear is natural, but we can’t let it control us. The real growth begins when we step out of our comfort zone. Whether it’s a small bird or a human, the first step is always tough but very rewarding. It teaches us to trust ourselves and take that leap of faith.

Part 2: The Black Aeroplane by Frederick Forsyth

Summary

Theme:

This story is a mix of adventure and mystery, showing how help can come in strange and unexpected ways.

Main Points:

1. Night Flight

• A pilot is flying a Dakota plane from France to England at night.

• The sky is clear and he’s thinking about reaching home for breakfast.

2. A Sudden Storm

• He sees huge black storm clouds ahead.

• Instead of turning back to Paris, he takes the risk and enters the storm.

3. Total Confusion

• Inside the storm, everything is dark.

• His compass and radio stop working. He has no idea where he is.

4. A Mysterious Plane

• Suddenly, he sees a black aeroplane flying near him.

• The pilot of the black plane signals him to follow.

5. Safe Landing

• He follows the mysterious pilot for about 30 minutes.

• The black plane leads him out of the storm to a runway, and he lands safely.

6. The Big Mystery

• After landing, he asks about the other pilot.

• The control room lady says no other plane was flying that night.

• The narrator is left wondering who the pilot in the black aeroplane was.

Message:

Sometimes help comes when we least expect it. The story leaves us with a sense of mystery and shows the power of hope and guidance.

NCERT Questions with Answers

Q1: “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?

Answer:
The risk was flying into a storm. The pilot didn’t have enough fuel to fly around it or go back to Paris. But he really wanted to reach home and have breakfast with his family, so he took the chance and entered the storm.

Q2: Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew into the storm.

Answer:
Inside the storm, everything became dark. The compass and other instruments stopped working, and he couldn't see anything. He felt lost and scared. Then he saw another plane and followed it, hoping to be saved.

Q3: Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?

Answer:
He says this because he was very tired and stressed after the dangerous flight. He was relieved that he had landed safely and could now relax. The fear was over, and he was thankful to be safe.

Q4: What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?

Answer:
She looked at him strangely because he asked about another plane that helped him. But the radar showed that there was no other plane in the sky that night except his. She thought he was mistaken or imagining things.

Q5: Who do you think helped the narrator reach safely?

Answer:
It’s a mystery. Some people might say it was a real person, a kind pilot who helped him. Others might think it was a guardian angel or something magical. The story leaves it to our imagination.

Previous year questions with answers

3 Marks Questions (50–60 words)

Q1. Why did the pilot decide to fly through the storm? (CBSE 2018)
Answer:
The pilot saw dark storm clouds ahead but didn’t want to go back. He wanted to reach home and have breakfast with his family. Even though it was risky, he chose to fly through the storm, hoping everything would be fine.

Q2. What happened inside the storm clouds? (CBSE 2020)
Answer:
Inside the storm, it was very dark. The pilot couldn’t see anything. His compass and radio stopped working. He felt lost and scared. He had no idea where he was going, and there was very little fuel left in the plane.

Q3. How did the pilot feel when he saw another plane in the storm? (CBSE 2017)
Answer:
The pilot felt very happy and relieved. He was lost and frightened, but the other plane gave him hope. The unknown pilot waved at him and guided him safely. He felt like a child following someone who knew the way.

Q4. Why was the narrator surprised after landing the plane? (CBSE 2021)
Answer:
He was surprised because when he asked about the other plane that helped him, the control room said there was no such plane. His was the only one flying that night. He was confused and wondered who had helped him.

Q5. What is the mystery at the end of “The Black Aeroplane”? (CBSE 2023)
Answer:
The mystery is about the black aeroplane and its pilot. No one saw that plane on radar, and no one knows who the pilot was. It seemed like a ghost or a miracle. The narrator is left with no clear answer.

6 Marks Questions (100–120 words)

Q6. Describe the events that took place when the pilot entered the storm. (CBSE 2018)
Answer:
When the pilot entered the storm, everything turned dark. The sky had no light, and he couldn’t see anything. His compass spun wildly, and the radio went dead. He had no way to know where he was or where to go. He felt completely lost and afraid. Then he saw another black aeroplane flying near him. The pilot of that plane signaled him to follow. He followed it like an obedient child. After 30 minutes, the black plane guided him out of the storm, and he saw runway lights below. He landed safely but couldn’t find the other plane afterward, which made the whole situation a big mystery.

Q7. How does the story “The Black Aeroplane” show hope in darkness? (CBSE 2022)
Answer:
The story shows that even in the worst moments, help can come in unexpected ways. The narrator was lost in a dangerous storm with no instruments working. He had little fuel left and no way to escape. Just when he lost hope, a mysterious plane appeared and guided him to safety. Though no one knows where that plane came from, it gave the pilot light in his darkest moment. This teaches us to never lose hope. Miracles can happen, and sometimes we are saved even when we can’t see the way forward.

Q8. What makes “The Black Aeroplane” a mystery story? (CBSE 2019)
Answer:
The story becomes a mystery because of the black aeroplane. The narrator was guided by it through a storm, but after landing, he was shocked to learn that no such plane existed on radar. Nobody saw it, and there was no record of another flight. The narrator had no radio contact with the mystery plane either. This creates suspense and leaves the reader with questions. Who was the pilot? Was the plane real or imaginary? The story ends without answers, making it mysterious and engaging.

Q9. Compare the two pilots in the story. (CBSE 2020)
Answer:
The narrator was a regular pilot, flying a Dakota and thinking about breakfast. He entered a storm without proper planning and became lost and helpless. The other pilot, in the black aeroplane, was calm, confident, and helpful. He didn’t speak but gave clear directions through his actions. He helped without expecting anything. While the narrator was scared, the black pilot was brave and guided him like a guardian. Their contrast adds depth to the story.

Q10. Do you think the black aeroplane was real? Give reasons. (CBSE 2021)
Answer:
It is hard to say if the black aeroplane was real. The narrator saw it and followed it, which helped him land safely. But the control tower said there was no such plane. No one else saw it, and it had no lights. It might have been an angel, a spirit, or a part of his imagination. Still, it saved him. The story leaves it open for the reader to decide, which makes it interesting and full of mystery.