Why is the chapter called 'Two Stories about Flying'?

Because it contains two separate stories, both about flight — a young seagull's first flight and a pilot's flight through a storm.

What was strange about the black aeroplane?

It guided the lost narrator safely to the runway, yet when he asked, the control tower said no other aircraft had appeared on the radar that night.

What lesson does His First Flight teach?

It teaches that fear often holds us back more than real danger does, and that taking the first brave step reveals we were capable all along.

Who is the author of His First Flight and The Black Aeroplane?

His First Flight is by Liam O'Flaherty and The Black Aeroplane is by Frederick Forsyth.

CBSE Class 10 First Flight · Chapter 3

Two Stories about Flying

Liam O'Flaherty & Frederick Forsyth

Two flights, two kinds of fear, and the courage it takes to fly

Summary

In 'His First Flight' by Liam O'Flaherty, a young seagull is too afraid to make his first flight. He watches his brothers and sister fly while he stays alone on his ledge, hungry and frightened of the vast sea below. Finally, his mother tempts him with a piece of fish; in his desperate dive for food he falls off the ledge, and to his shock his wings spread and carry him. He discovers that flying was never as terrifying as his fear had made it.

In 'The Black Aeroplane' by Frederick Forsyth, a pilot flying home through a calm night runs into a huge, dark storm cloud. His instruments fail and he is lost, with little fuel left. Suddenly another aeroplane appears beside him, and its pilot guides him safely through the storm to a runway. When he lands and asks the control tower about the other pilot, he learns no other plane was on the radar that night.

Together the two stories explore fear and the leap of faith needed to overcome it. The seagull conquers an inner, personal fear; the pilot is rescued from an outer, physical danger by a mysterious helper he can never thank or even explain.

Key points to remember

His First Flight: hunger and a mother's clever trick push the seagull to overcome fear.
The young seagull's victory is psychological — the fear was bigger than the danger.
The Black Aeroplane: a strange pilot guides the narrator safely through a deadly storm.
The mystery ending: the control tower says no other plane was in the sky.
Both stories share the theme of courage triumphing over fear.
The mother seagull represents tough love that forces growth.
The black aeroplane can be read as a guardian or the narrator's own resolve.

Important questions (board pattern)

6 marksHow did the young seagull finally make his first flight?
How to answer: Describe his fear and isolation, the family's encouragement, his hunger, and the mother offering fish — then the accidental dive that became his first flight.
3 marksWhy was the young seagull afraid to fly, and what does this teach us?
How to answer: Explain his fear of the wide sea and falling; link to the lesson that fear is often greater than the actual risk.
3 marksWho do you think helped the narrator reach the runway safely in 'The Black Aeroplane'?
How to answer: Present it as an open mystery — a guardian, a strange pilot, or his own courage; support the view with the tower's report of no other plane.
3 marksDescribe the narrator's experience inside the storm cloud.
How to answer: Mention the darkness, failed compass and instruments, low fuel, fear, and the relief when the black aeroplane appeared.
6 marksCompare how fear is overcome in the two stories.
How to answer: Contrast the seagull's inner fear conquered by himself with the pilot's outer danger overcome with mysterious help; note both end in safety.

Common exam traps

Don't mix up the two authors — O'Flaherty wrote the seagull story; Forsyth wrote the aeroplane story.
Don't say the seagull was taught to fly step by step — he flew accidentally, while diving for fish.
Don't give a definite identity to the black aeroplane's pilot; the unsolved mystery is the point.
Don't forget the mother's role — she does not push him off; she lures him with food.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the chapter called 'Two Stories about Flying'?: Because it contains two separate stories, both about flight — a young seagull's first flight and a pilot's flight through a storm.
What was strange about the black aeroplane?: It guided the lost narrator safely to the runway, yet when he asked, the control tower said no other aircraft had appeared on the radar that night.
What lesson does His First Flight teach?: It teaches that fear often holds us back more than real danger does, and that taking the first brave step reveals we were capable all along.
Who is the author of His First Flight and The Black Aeroplane?: His First Flight is by Liam O'Flaherty and The Black Aeroplane is by Frederick Forsyth.