ENGLISH CLASS- 10
CHAPTER-3
(His First Flight & The Black Aeroplane)
His First Flight
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 lacked confidence in his wings. He feared that his wings would not support him and that he would fall into the vast sea below. Although his parents and siblings had already learned to fly, he remained hesitant and frightened.
Not all young birds are equally afraid of their first flight. Some birds are naturally more confident, while others are more timid and cautious. Similarly, a human baby also finds it challenging to take its first steps. Just as the seagull fears falling from the sky, a baby may fear falling while learning to walk. However, with practice, encouragement, and determination, both eventually succeed.
2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
The statement “The sight of the food maddened him” suggests that the young seagull was extremely hungry. He had been left alone on the ledge for many hours without food. His hunger became so intense that he could think of nothing except obtaining food.
When he saw his mother holding a piece of fish and flying towards him, he became desperate to reach it. As his mother stopped just out of his reach, he instinctively jumped forward to get the food. This desperate attempt caused him to leave the ledge and spread his wings. Thus, his extreme hunger compelled him to take his first flight successfully.
3. “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
The seagull's parents wanted him to learn an essential life skill—flying. They knew that unless he gathered the courage to leave the ledge, he would never become independent or survive on his own.
Therefore, they first encouraged him by calling to him and showing him how to fly. When he still refused to move, they threatened and scolded him. Later, they tried to lure him with food. Their actions were not cruel; rather, they were meant to help him overcome his fear and gain confidence. They understood that flying was necessary for his growth and survival.
4. Have you ever had a similar experience, where your parents encouraged you to do something you were too scared to try? Discuss in pairs or groups.
Yes, I have had a similar experience. When I had to speak on stage for the first time, I was extremely nervous and afraid of making mistakes. I wanted to avoid participating in the event.
However, my parents encouraged me to practise regularly and assured me that I could do it. Their support gave me confidence, and I finally went on stage and delivered my speech successfully. After that experience, I realized that many fears can be overcome if we are willing to try. Like the young seagull, I discovered that courage often comes only after taking the first step.
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?
My success was not guaranteed. Whenever we attempt something new, there is always a possibility of failure. However, what matters most is the willingness to try and learn from the experience.
In my case, even if I had made mistakes while speaking on stage, the experience would still have helped me improve. Success often comes after repeated efforts and practice. Therefore, it was important to try regardless of the possibility of failure. The story teaches us that confidence grows through action, and we can never succeed unless we first overcome our fears and make an attempt.
Two Stories about Flying – The Black Aeroplane
1. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
The risk was flying the aeroplane through a huge storm of dark clouds at night. The narrator knew that the storm could be dangerous because it might affect visibility and the safe operation of the aircraft.
The narrator took the risk because he was eager to reach Paris and be with his family. He did not want to turn back or delay his journey. Confident in his flying skills and anxious to get home, he decided to fly directly into the storm despite the danger.
2. Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.
As the narrator flew into the storm, everything around him became dark. Thick black clouds surrounded the aeroplane, and he could no longer see the ground, the stars, or any landmarks. The aircraft began to shake and toss in the turbulent air.
Soon, his compass stopped working, and other instruments became unreliable. He realized that he had lost his direction and did not know where he was. His fuel was also running low, which increased his fear and anxiety. Just when he thought he might not survive, he saw another mysterious black aeroplane. The unknown pilot guided him through the storm and led him safely to the airport. The entire experience was frightening, confusing, and unforgettable.
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 had gone through a terrifying experience during the flight. His aeroplane had been trapped in a dangerous storm, his instruments had failed, and he had become lost in the dark sky.
After finally landing safely, he felt relieved to be on the ground. The frightening journey had exhausted him physically and mentally. Therefore, he was happy to leave the old Dakota behind and grateful that he had survived the dangerous flight.
4. What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?
The woman in the control centre looked at the narrator strangely when he asked about the pilot of the black aeroplane that had guided him through the storm. She was surprised because, according to the radar, there had been no other aircraft flying in the sky besides the narrator's Dakota.
Her reaction showed that she could not understand whom the narrator was talking about. This mystery forms the most intriguing part 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 does not clearly reveal who helped the narrator, so different interpretations are possible. One view is that a mysterious pilot in the black aeroplane guided him safely through the storm. This pilot appeared at the exact moment when the narrator was in danger and disappeared immediately after helping him.
Another interpretation is that the black aeroplane was a supernatural or divine presence sent to save the narrator's life. This idea is supported by the fact that no other aircraft appeared on the radar, and no one at the airport knew anything about the mysterious pilot.
In my opinion, the author intentionally leaves the mystery unsolved to create suspense and wonder. The black aeroplane symbolizes unexpected help that sometimes arrives when a person is facing a difficult situation.
How to Tell Wild Animals
1. Does ‘dyin’ really rhyme with lion? Can you say it in such a way that it does?
No, the word ‘dyin’ does not normally rhyme with ‘lion’. However, if we pronounce ‘dyin’ as “dye-in” and ‘lion’ as “lie-on” in a playful manner, the words sound similar enough to create a rhyme. The poet deliberately uses this pronunciation to maintain the humorous tone of the poem.
2. How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do so, according to him?
The poet humorously suggests that you can identify a lion when it attacks and kills you. If a large tawny beast greets you by eating you, then it is a lion.
Similarly, you can identify a Bengal tiger when it jumps on you and eats you. According to the poet, the tiger's yellow body with black stripes helps in identification. However, the poet jokingly points out that by the time you identify either animal, it may be too late because you would already be under attack.
3. Do you think the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ in the third stanza are spelt correctly? Why does the poet spell them like this?
No, the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ are not the standard spellings. The correct forms are ‘leaped’ or ‘leapt’.
The poet intentionally uses these unusual spellings to create a humorous effect and maintain the rhyme and rhythm of the poem. Such playful use of language makes the poem more entertaining and enjoyable for readers.
4. Do you know what a ‘bearhug’ is? It’s a friendly and strong hug — such as bears are thought to give, as they attack you! Again, hyenas are thought to laugh, and crocodiles to weep (‘crocodile tears’) as they swallow their victims. Are there similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in your own language(s)?
Yes, many languages have similar expressions and beliefs about animals. For example:
• Crocodile tears means showing false sorrow or pretending to be sad.
• As cunning as a fox refers to a clever and crafty person.
• As brave as a lion describes a courageous person.
• As busy as a bee means being very hardworking.
• As stubborn as a mule refers to a person who refuses to change their opinion.
Such expressions are based on commonly held beliefs about the behaviour of animals and add colour and humour to language.
5. Look at the line “A novice might nonplus”. How would you write this ‘correctly’? Why is the poet’s ‘incorrect’ line better in the poem?
The line would be written correctly as: “A novice might be nonplussed.”
The poet's version is better for the poem because it preserves the rhyme and rhythm. The unusual use of the word ‘nonplus’ fits naturally into the poem's playful style and contributes to its humorous effect. Poetry often allows writers to bend grammatical rules for artistic purposes.
6. Can you find other examples of poets taking liberties with language, either in English or in your own language(s)? Can you find examples of humorous poems in your own language(s)?
Yes, poets often take liberties with language by inventing words, altering spellings, or changing grammar to create special effects. For example, Lewis Carroll used invented words such as “slithy” and “mimsy” in his poem Jabberwocky.
In Hindi, poets sometimes use shortened or modified forms of words to maintain rhythm and rhyme. Humorous poems by poets such as Kaka Hathrasi are well known for their witty language, wordplay, and comic situations. These examples show that creative use of language can make poetry more enjoyable and memorable.
7. Much of the humour in the poem arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. If there are particular lines in the poem that you especially like, share these lines with the class, speaking briefly about what it is about the ideas or the language that you like or find funny.
One of the funniest lines in the poem is: “A novice might nonplus.”
I like this line because the poet deliberately plays with language in an unusual way. Another amusing line is: “If he roars at you as you're dyin', You'll know it is the Asian Lion.”
This line is humorous because it presents a dangerous situation in a light-hearted manner. The poet's playful rhymes, unexpected ideas, and funny descriptions of wild animals make the poem entertaining and memorable.
The Ball Poem
1. Why does the poet say, “I would not intrude on him”? Why doesn’t he offer him money to buy another ball?
The poet says, “I would not intrude on him” because he understands that the boy is experiencing genuine grief after losing his ball. He does not want to interrupt the boy's feelings or prevent him from learning an important lesson about loss.
The poet does not offer him money to buy another ball because the loss is not merely about the ball itself. The boy is learning that some things, once lost, cannot truly be replaced. By facing this experience on his own, he learns how to deal with disappointment and loss, which is an important part of growing up.
2. “... staring down/All his young days into the harbour where/His ball went ...” Do you think the boy has had the ball for a long time? Is it linked to the memories of days when he played with it?
Yes, it appears that the boy has had the ball for a long time. The ball is closely connected with his childhood and many happy memories. When the ball falls into the harbour, it is not only the loss of an object but also the loss of a part of his childhood experiences.
The phrase “All his young days” suggests that the ball reminds him of the joyful moments he spent playing with it. Therefore, his sadness comes not only from losing the ball but also from losing something that carried emotional value and precious memories.
3. What does “in the world of possessions” mean?
The phrase “in the world of possessions” refers to the material things that people own, such as toys, books, clothes, money, and other belongings. It is the world where people become attached to their possessions and feel happy when they have them.
In the poem, the phrase suggests that the boy is beginning to understand that material possessions can be lost and that such losses are a natural part of life.
4. Do you think the boy has lost anything earlier? Pick out the words that suggest the answer.
No, the poem suggests that the boy has probably not experienced such a significant loss before. The loss of the ball appears to be his first meaningful experience of losing something valuable.
The words that suggest this are: “Now He Senses first responsibility”.
These words indicate that the boy is facing a sense of loss and responsibility for the first time. He is learning an important lesson about life through this experience.
5. What does the poet say the boy is learning from the loss of the ball? Try to explain this in your own words.
The poet says that the boy is learning an important lesson about life—that loss is unavoidable and that people must learn to accept it. Through losing the ball, the boy realizes that material possessions do not last forever and that sadness is a natural part of human experience.
The poet believes that this experience will help the boy become more mature and responsible. He is learning how to control his emotions, accept reality, and move forward despite disappointment. This lesson will prepare him to face greater losses and challenges in life.
6. Have you ever lost something you liked very much? Write a paragraph describing how you felt then, and saying whether—and how—you got over your loss.
Yes, I once lost my favourite wristwatch, which had been gifted to me by a close family member. I had used it for several years and it held many special memories. When I realized that I had lost it, I felt extremely sad and disappointed. I searched for it everywhere, but I could not find it.
For a few days, I kept thinking about it and felt upset whenever I remembered it. Gradually, I understood that worrying would not bring it back. I accepted the loss and focused on the memories associated with the gift rather than the object itself. This experience taught me that material things can be lost, but the memories connected with them remain with us forever.