The Road Not Taken

 

Chapter 3 – Two Stories about Flying

I - His First Flight

Terminal Questions

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?

2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?

3. “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?

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.

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?

Theme

The central theme of “His First Flight” is overcoming fear through self-confidence and courage. The story highlights how fear can hold us back from experiencing growth and success, but once we confront and overcome it, we achieve freedom and confidence.

Through the story of a young seagull who is afraid to fly, the author presents a powerful metaphor for human struggles with hesitation, self-doubt, and the challenge of taking the first step toward independence. Despite encouragement from his family, the young bird remains fearful until hunger forces him to take a leap. The moment he does, he realizes his own potential.

 

The story also conveys the importance of family support and how sometimes tough love is necessary to help someone realize their inner strength.

 

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 at the piece of fish?

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

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

Extract Based Question

6.    Read the following extract and answer the following questions.

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 term “maddened by hunger”.

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

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

 

Terminal Questions

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

2. Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.

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

4. What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?

5. Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among yourselves and give reasons for your answer.

 

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.

Frequently asked theme

·         Mystery element of the Black Aeroplane.

·         The narrator’s risk and decision to fly through the storm.

·         Gratitude towards the unknown pilot.

·         Imagination vs. reality.

·         The role of inner strength or “divine help” in crises.

 

 

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]