Letter to God

 

Chapter 3 – Two Stories about Flying

I - His First Flight

 Introduction

“His First Flight” is a beautiful and inspiring story that teaches us an important lesson about fear, courage, and self-confidence. The story revolves around a young seagull who is afraid to fly for the first time. While his brothers and sister have already learned how to fly, he remains alone because he is too scared to trust his wings.

The story shows how fear can stop us from moving forward in life, but courage and necessity help us overcome that fear. Just like the young seagull, young children/students also hesitate before trying something new—speaking on stage, participating in competitions, or facing examinations. This story helps us understand that success comes only when we take the first step with confidence.

Summary

The story is about a young seagull who is afraid to fly. His two brothers and sister had already learned to fly, but he could not gather enough courage to jump from the ledge.

His parents encouraged him, scolded him, and even threatened him, but he refused to fly. As a result, he was left alone on the ledge without food. He felt lonely, hungry, and helpless while watching his family flying happily and enjoying fish.

At last, his mother came near him with a piece of fish in her beak. Driven by hunger, he jumped forward to snatch the food. In doing so, he fell into space and soon he spread his wings and discovered that he could fly.

 

Themes

1. Fear and Courage

The main theme of the story is fear and courage. The young seagull was afraid of flying, but finally he gathered courage and succeeded.

2. Self-Confidence

The story teaches that we must trust our own abilities. The seagull could fly, but he did not believe in himself.

3. Family Support

The parents and siblings encouraged the young seagull to fly. Their support played an important role in helping him succeed.

4. Necessity is the Best Teacher

Hunger forced the young seagull to jump for food. Sometimes difficult situations push us to discover our hidden strengths.

5. Freedom and Growth

Flying symbolizes freedom and independence. The first flight marked the beginning of the seagull’s growth and maturity.

 

Additional Questions

1.    What did the baby seagull do to draw the attention of its mother and father?

2.    Why did the mother bring a piece of fish near the baby seagull?

3.    What happened when the baby seagull tried to catch the piece of fish?

4.    What, according to you, could be stopping the young seagull from taking his first flight?

5.    The attitude of the parents of the young seagull towards him was very harsh and threatening. Do you approve of this attitude of the parents or not? Why?

Extract-Based Question

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

 

“But when she was just opposite to him, she halted, her wings motionless, the piece of fish in her beak almost within the reach of his beak. He waited a moment in surprise, wondering why she did not come nearer, and then, maddened by hunger, he dived at the fish.”

 (a) Who are ‘she’ and ‘him’ referred to in the extract? Why did she halt just opposite to him?

(b) Why was she carrying a piece of fish in her beak?

(c) Explain the meaning of the phrase “maddened by hunger.”

(d) What happened after he dived at the fish?

Long Answer Questions (do any one from (a) and (b))

      (a) The young seagull was afraid to take his first flight, but hunger and his mother’s cleverness helped him overcome his fear. Describe how the young seagull finally succeeded in flying for the first time. What lesson does this teach us about fear and self-confidence.

           (b)   His First Flight” is not just a story about a bird learning to fly, but also a lesson for human beings. Explain how the story highlights the importance of courage, family support, and believing in one’s own abilities. Support your answer with examples from the chapter.

 

 

Board Questions

Short Answer Type Questions (30–40 words)

1.    Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? What did his parents do to help him overcome his fear? [2020]

 

2.    How did the seagull’s family help him overcome his fear and teach him the art of flying? [2019]

 

3.    What was the young seagull’s first experience of flight? [2018]

 

4.    How did the young seagull feel when he saw his mother with food? [2023]

 

5.    How did the young seagull react when he finally took his first flight? [2022]

 

6.    How did the young seagull’s family treat him when he failed to gather courage to fly? [2021]

 

7.    Why did the seagull fail to muster the courage to fly? [2017]

 

8.    What role did the seagull’s mother play in making him fly? [2016]

 

9.    What was the reaction of the seagull’s family when he took his first flight? [2023]

 

Long Answer Questions

1.    Fear and lack of confidence stop us from learning new things. Do you agree? How did these traits affect the young seagull in the story "His First Flight"? How did he overcome them? [2020]

2.    You are the young seagull. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings after your first flight and how it changed you. [2022]

3.    The story is a metaphor for the first step one takes towards independence. Justify with reference to the story. [2019]

4.    Fear is only as deep as the mind allows. Explain how the young seagull’s fear was turned into confidence. [2021]

5.    The seagull’s first flight is a symbol of transformation and growing up. Discuss. [2017]

II

The Black Aeroplane

Theme

The central theme of “The Black Aeroplane” revolves around mystery, faith, and human dependence on unknown forces in times of crisis.

This story introduces the idea that sometimes, unseen or divine help comes when we least expect it. The story blends reality with supernatural mystery, leaving the reader to wonder whether the helper was real or a figment of the narrator's imagination, powered by hope and desperation.

It also reflects on courage, risk-taking, and trust in the unknown—suggesting that faith can sometimes be stronger than logic.

Additional Questions

1.    Where was the narrator flying to? What kind of aeroplane was he flying?

2.    Write about all the troubles that he was facing when he was flying his aeroplane.

3.    Write a short character sketch of the narrator on the basis of the chapter.

Extract Based questions

4.    Read the following extract and answer the questions that follows.

“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.

(a)  Why did the narrator think that he ought to go back to Paris?

(b)  Which breakfast he is talking about?

(c)  What is the risk he thought to take?

(d)  Why did he decide to take the risk?

 

Year-wise Board questions

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Why did the pilot of old Dakota call Paris Control Room the first time? What information was he given? [2020]

Q2. Why did the pilot decide to fly through the storm clouds? [2019]

Q3. What risk did the narrator take? Why? [2020]

Q4. Describe the black aeroplane. Was it real? [2023]

Q5. What made the woman in the Control Centre look at the narrator strangely? [2022]

Q6. How did the narrator get out of the storm in the night? [2017]

Q7. “The Black Aeroplane” is a mystery. Justify. [2016]

Q7. Why does the narrator say, “I’ll never know who helped me…”? [2016]

Q8. Why did the narrator want to go back to England? What did he want to do?  [2021]

 

Long Answer Questions:

Q1. The narrator says, “I’ll never know who helped me…” Describe how the narrator was helped and why he could not thank his helper. What lesson do you learn from this experience?   [2020]

Q2. The story ‘The Black Aeroplane’ is a mystery. Do you agree? Justify your answer with instances from the text. [2019]

Q3. Imagine you are the narrator. You are deeply moved by the unknown pilot’s act of kindness and courage. Write a diary entry expressing your feelings of gratitude. [2022]

Q4. In life, one often meets with mysterious circumstances. How does this story make us think about unseen forces guiding us in difficult times? Elaborate. [2021]