The Class 10 English chapter Two
Stories About Flying includes two inspiring tales, “His First Flight” by Liam O’Flaherty and “The Black Aeroplane” by Frederick Forsyth. Both stories explore courage, fear, and determination.
In His First Flight, a young
seagull overcomes his fear and learns to fly, symbolizing self-belief and growth. The Black Aeroplane tells of a pilot saved mysteriously in a storm, reflecting faith and hope in difficult times.
This blog provides complete question answers, summaries, and analysis of both stories to help students understand the deeper meanings behind these lessons on courage and confidence.
Two Stories About Flying Summary
Summary of “His First Flight” by Liam O’Flaherty
The story “His First Flight” beautifully captures the emotional journey of a young seagull who is afraid to take his first flight. Unlike his brothers and sister, who have already learned how to fly, the young seagull remains stranded on a narrow ledge. Though he tries to gather the courage to leap into the air, fear holds him back. He imagines falling into the vast, endless sea below and losing his life.
His parents scold him, encourage him, and even threaten to leave him hungry if he doesn’t try to fly. But fear is stronger than hunger. The next day, the young seagull watches his family flying freely in the sky. He sees his siblings diving for fish and playing over the waves. His mother notices his struggle and decides to help him in her own way.
Knowing he hasn’t eaten since the previous night, she picks up a piece of fish and flies toward him. Excited and desperate for food, the young seagull leans forward to reach it. But before he realizes it, his mother stops just short of him, forcing him to dive forward and suddenly, he is in the air.
For a brief moment, he is terrified. The air rushes past him, and he feels as though he is falling. But soon, he realizes that his wings are supporting him. He begins to glide, then flap, then soar joyfully in the open sky. His fear turns into exhilaration as he joins his family in flight. His parents cheer for him, and his siblings dance around him in the air. Finally, when he lands on the sea, he realizes he can float effortlessly.
The young seagull has learned an important lesson that courage comes only after facing fear. His first flight symbolizes the beauty of independence and self-discovery.
Summary of “The Black Aeroplane” by Frederick Forsyth
“The Black Aeroplane” is a thrilling and mysterious story that combines realism with a touch of the supernatural. The narrator, a pilot, is flying his old Dakota aeroplane from Paris to England at night. The sky is clear, the moon is shining, and the stars are twinkling brightly. He feels peaceful and looks forward to a comfortable breakfast with his family after landing in England.
As he crosses Paris, he receives directions from the Paris Control Tower to turn west. Everything seems perfect until he suddenly encounters huge, dark storm clouds blocking his path. The clouds look like black mountains, and he knows he doesn’t have enough fuel to go around them. Although turning back to Paris seems safer, his desire to reach home makes him take the risk of flying straight into the storm.
Inside the storm, chaos unfolds. The sky becomes pitch black, lightning flashes, and the aeroplane twists violently. The compass stops working, the radio goes dead, and he loses all sense of direction. Alone and scared, he begins to panic until, out of nowhere, a black aeroplane appears beside him.
The pilot in the mysterious plane waves at him and signals to follow. The narrator, relieved and grateful, obeys. The black plane leads him safely out of the storm and guides him toward a runway lined with lights. The moment he lands, he looks around to thank his savior, but the black aeroplane has vanished.
Puzzled, he asks the woman at the control tower about the other pilot. She looks surprised and tells him that no other plane was in the sky that night his was the only one visible on the radar. The story ends with a sense of mystery and wonder, leaving readers to question whether the black aeroplane was real or some kind of divine intervention.
Through this story, Frederick Forsyth shows how faith, hope, and unseen help can guide us through life’s storms, even when logic fails.
1. 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 to fly because he doubted his ability to support himself in the air. He feared that his wings would not be able to carry him and that he would fall into the sea. Like the young seagull, not all birds show the same level of courage; some are naturally more timid and hesitant. Similarly, a human baby also faces fear and uncertainty when taking its first steps. It’s a moment of challenge and learning that builds confidence through experience.
2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly? This line shows the young seagull’s desperation and hunger. When he saw his mother carrying a piece of fish, he became so hungry that he forgot his fear. His desire to eat overpowered his fear of falling. This hunger and the urge to reach the food compelled him to take his first flight, which he discovered was natural and effortless once he tried.
3. “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly? The young seagull’s parents wanted him to gain confidence and learn to fly on his own. They used calls, encouragement, and even threats to motivate him. Their actions show tough love, pushing him toward independence instead of letting him depend on them for food and safety. They knew he would never overcome his fear without trying.
4. 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. (Students can answer personally.) For example, many students may relate to learning how to swim, ride a bicycle, or perform on stage for the first time. Parents often encourage and motivate children to face their fears and try new things, just like the seagull’s parents did.
5. 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 is never guaranteed, whether for a bird flying or a person trying something new. The important thing is to try and overcome fear. The young seagull succeeded only when he took the leap of faith. Similarly, in human life, taking the first step with courage matters more than worrying about failure. Each attempt helps us learn and grow stronger.
The Black Airplane Question Answers
1. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it? The risk was flying the old Dakota airplane straight into a storm instead of turning back to safety. The narrator took this risk because he was eager to reach home and have breakfast with his family. His desire to return home was stronger than his fear of danger, so he decided to face the storm despite knowing the risk to his life and the aircraft.
2. Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm. As the narrator entered the storm, everything turned dark. The airplane shook violently, and the compass and radio stopped working. He could not see anything outside the plane, and thick clouds surrounded him. He felt lost, helpless, and terrified. Just when he thought he was in serious danger, he saw another black aeroplane flying near him, guiding him safely through the storm.
3. Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”? The narrator says this because he was deeply relieved and thankful to have landed safely after a life-threatening flight. The experience was so frightening that he felt no regret in leaving the old Dakota behind. His focus was on survival rather than the plane itself, showing his gratitude for being alive.
4. What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely? The woman looked at the narrator strangely when he asked about the other black aeroplane that had helped him. She told him that no other aircraft was visible on the radar that night. This surprised and confused her, as only the narrator’s Dakota had been flying in that storm. Her reaction adds to the mystery of the story.
5. Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among yourselves and give reasons for your answer. The story leaves this question open to interpretation. Some believe the black aeroplane was a hallucination caused by the narrator’s fear and desperation. Others think it was a divine force or guardian angel that appeared to save him. It could also symbolize hope and courage, guiding him through danger. The story’s mystery encourages readers to believe in unseen help during difficult times.
1. Courage Conquers Fear Both stories highlight how fear is a natural emotion but can be overcome with courage. The young seagull in His First Flight learns to fly only when he dares to face his fear, while the pilot in The Black Aeroplane survives the storm because he takes a bold risk.
2. Growth Comes from Challenges True growth happens when one steps out of their comfort zone. The seagull’s flight and the pilot’s storm experience symbolize life’s struggles that shape confidence and strength.
3. Trust and Faith Can Guide You Through Uncertainty In The Black Aeroplane, the mysterious helper represents faith, a belief that even in moments of darkness, help arrives in unexpected ways. Similarly, the young seagull trusts his instincts once he finally jumps.
4. Experience Builds Confidence After their challenges, both the seagull and the pilot emerge wiser. They realize that self-belief and experience make fear fade away.
5. Symbolism of Freedom Both stories celebrate freedom, the seagull’s flight represents physical and emotional liberation, while the pilot’s journey through the storm symbolizes the human desire to break free from limitations.
6. Universal Message These stories remind readers especially students that every great achievement begins with one brave step forward, whether it’s flying for the first time or facing an uncertain path.
How PlanetSpark Helps Kids Take Their “First Flight” in Confidence
Just like the young seagull and the brave pilot, PlanetSpark empowers children to overcome fear and soar with confidence in communication and learning.
Builds Courage and Self-Belief: Helps children overcome stage fright and hesitation, turning fear into confidence.
Personalized 1:1 Coaching: Expert mentors guide each learner with tailored feedback and encouragement.
AI-Led Practice and Feedback: Tools like SparkX Video Analysis and AI practice sessions refine speaking and presentation skills.
Fun, Gamified Learning: Activities, contests, and clubs like SparkBee make learning enjoyable and engaging.
Visible Growth and Parent Updates: Regular PTMs, progress reports, and Spark Diary ensure continuous improvement and transparency.
Conclusion
Both “His First Flight” and “The Black Aeroplane” highlight the power of courage, determination, and faith. The young seagull’s leap of faith and the pilot’s brave decision to fly through the storm teach us that fear is natural, but growth happens when we face it. These stories beautifully blend realism with inspiration, encouraging readers to trust themselves even when the path ahead seems uncertain. For students, they also remind us that every challenge, whether learning to speak confidently or taking the first step toward a goal, begins with belief.
FAQs on Two Stories About Flying
Q1. What is the common theme of both stories? Both stories revolve around overcoming fear and gaining confidence through experience. They show how courage helps individuals succeed in difficult situations.
Q2. Who is the author of “His First Flight”? The story His First Flight is written by Liam O’Flaherty.
Q3. What lesson does “The Black Aeroplane” teach? It teaches us to trust our instincts and believe that help will come when we stay calm and determined during challenges.
Q4. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? He was afraid because he doubted his ability to support himself with his wings and feared falling into the sea.
Q5. What is mysterious about “The Black Aeroplane”? The mysterious part is that the pilot of the black aeroplane disappeared after leading the narrator safely out of the storm, leaving readers wondering who or what guided him.
