TWO STORIES ABOUT FLYING
FIRST FLIGHT AND THE BLACK AEROPLANE
CENTRAL THEME: The theme of the chapter “Two Stories about Flying” is hope and
faith. The stories teach us that inner strength and determination is necessary to overcome
fear. In the first story, the seagull had negligible faith in its own powers, while in the second
story, the pilot believed in anonymous factor.
FIRST FLIGHT:-This story highlights themes of fear, courage, and self-discovery. The
young seagull’s journey represents the challenges we face when stepping out of our
comfort zones. It shows how overcoming fear can lead to personal growth and newfound
confidence. The parents’ tough love approach and the mother’s strategic plan underline
the importance of encouragement and sometimes a little push to help others realize their
potential.
THE BLACK AEROPLANE: This story blends elements of suspense and the
supernatural. It explores themes of guidance and unseen help, suggesting that
sometimes assistance comes from unexpected and mysterious sources. The black
aeroplane symbolizes hope and support in times of distress. The mystery surrounding the
plane adds a layer of intrigue, leaving the reader to ponder whether the experience was
real or a figment of the pilot’s imagination.
A. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
“The day before, all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with
his brothers and sister, perfecting them in the art of flight, teaching them
how to skim the waves and how to dive for fish. He had, in fact, seen his
older brother catch his first herring and devour it, standing on a rock, while
his parents circled around raising a proud cackle. And all the morning the
whole family had walked about on the big plateau midway down the opposite
cliff taunting him with his cowardice.”
1. Based on the given sentence, pick the option that corresponds to what
human parents would say.
‘while his parents circled around raising a proud cackle.’
a) Well done! c) Ready?!
b) Oh no! d) Really?!
2. Imagine that the young gull attended a workshop on inspiration and
confidence building and received a couple of pieces of advice.
Knowing yourself The early bird It doesn’t matter Everything you’ve
is the beginning catches the what others are wanted is on the
of all wisdom worm doing it matters other side of fear
what you are
doing.
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
a) (i) and (ii) c) (iii) and (iv)
b) (ii) and (iii) d) (i) and (iv)
3. Which of the following feelings did the young gull, NOT feel according to
the given context?
“…all day long, he had watched his parents flying about with his brothers
and sister…”
(i) Sad (v) inspired
(ii) Incompetent (vi) jealous
(iii) Excluded (vii) anxious
(iv) Ungrateful
a) (i) , (iii) , (vi) (c) (ii) , (iii), (iv)
b) (ii), (v) , (vii) (d) (iv) , (v), (vi)
4. Select the most appropriate option for the following:
Devour : guzzle : : nibble : ____________
a) Chew c) Peck
b) Savour d) Gulp
B. Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:
1. Describe the young seagull’s emotions when he flew over the sea.
2. How did the young seagull’s parents try to encourage him?
3. What role did the mother seagull play in helping the young seagull take his first
flight?
4. What does the story of young seagull symbolize?
THE BLACK AEROPLANE:
C. “Everything was going well — it was an easy flight. Paris was about 150
kilometres behind me when I saw the clouds. Storm clouds. They were huge.
They looked like black mountains standing in front of me across the sky. I
knew I could not fly up and over them, and I did not have enough fuel to fly
around them to the north or south. “I ought to go back to Paris,” I thought,
but I wanted to get home. I wanted that breakfast. ‘I’ll take the risk,’ I thought,
and flew that old Dakota straight into the storm”.
i. How would you describe the “risk” the narrator took?
a) Calculated c) Unavoidable
b) Impetuous d) navigable
ii. In what way might the reference to the Dakota as “old” be relevant?
a) Its antique value made it expensive and precious to the narrator.
b) It is employed by the narrator as a term of endearment.
c) It did not have enough fuel to fly around the storm clouds.
d) Its ability to negotiate the storm clouds might have been suspect.
iii. Read the statements given below, and then select the option that best
describes the given statements.
Statement I – The narrator’s desire to reach home and see his family made
him complacent.
Statement II – The narrator was unaware of the threat that the adversarial
storm clouds presented.
Statement III – The narrator’s decision making was quick but irresponsible
as well as dangerous.
a) Statement I is False, Statement II is True, Statement III cannot be
inferred
b) Statement I and III are True, Statement II cannot be inferred.
c) Statement I cannot be inferred, Statement II is False, Statement III is
True.
d) Statement I and II are False, Statement III is True.
iv. Select the correct option to fill in the blanks below:
risk: risky :: ______ : ______
a) danger: dangerously c) peril : imperilled
b) hazard : hazardous ` d) caution : precaution
D. Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:
a) How would you describe the mood of the story, Black Aeroplane as it
begins?
b) Do you think that after his experience, the narrator would be able to truly
enjoy the English breakfast he had yearned for? Why/ Why not?
c) What challenges did the pilot face during his flight in “The Black Aeroplane”?
d) What did the pilot learn about the black aeroplane from the control tower?
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