CBSE Class 10 English: Two Stories About Flying NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This resource provides comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English, Chapter 3, "Two Stories About Flying." It covers both "His First Flight" and "The Black Aeroplane," offering detailed explanations for each question. The solutions delve into the young seagull's fear and eventual triumph, the narrator's risky decision in "The Black Aeroplane," and the role of parental encouragement. These solutions are designed to help students understand the nuances of the stories, analyze character motivations, and prepare effectively for their CBSE examinations by clarifying complex themes and plot points.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter3. Two Stories about Flying

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions focus on "Two Stories About Flying." It breaks down "His First Flight," exploring the young seagull's fear, hunger, and the encouragement from its family. It also analyzes "The Black Aeroplane," detailing the narrator's decision to fly through a storm. The solutions aim to enhance comprehension of themes like courage, fear, and decision-making under pressure, providing clear answers to textual questions.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the young seagull's fear and the reasons behind its reluctance to fly.
  • Analyze the role of hunger and parental encouragement in overcoming fear.
  • Explain the narrator's decision-making process in "The Black Aeroplane."
  • Discuss themes of risk-taking, courage, and the importance of family.
  • Relate the experiences in the stories to personal experiences of overcoming fear.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Fear of the unknown
  • Overcoming fear
  • Parental encouragement
  • Hunger as motivation
  • Risk-taking
  • Decision-making under pressure
  • Courage
  • Instinct
  • Family bonds
  • The Black Aeroplane mystery

Important topics

  • The young seagull's fear and motivation
  • The narrator's risky decision in the storm
  • Themes of courage and overcoming challenges
  • The role of family and external help
  • Analysis of character actions and motivations

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Questions and Solutions

Question 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 step?
Solution: The young seagull was terrified to fly because it was his very first attempt, and he harbored a deep fear of falling into the sea and sustaining injuries. He doubted whether his wings would be strong enough to carry him through the air. It is quite natural for any creature to feel apprehensive when attempting something new for the first time. It is likely that most young birds experience some fear before their maiden flight, with individual temperaments varying; some might be naturally more timid than others. Similarly, a human baby often finds it a significant challenge and a bit frightening to take its first steps, transitioning from crawling to standing and walking independently.

Question 2

"The sight of the food maddened him." What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
Solution: The phrase "The sight of the food maddened him" suggests that the young seagull was experiencing extreme hunger, to the point where it was overwhelming his fear. His hunger intensified dramatically when he observed his mother tearing apart a piece of fish. This sight, coupled with his own gnawing hunger, pushed him towards action. What ultimately compelled the young seagull to fly was this unbearable hunger. When his mother flew towards him with food, he screamed with anticipation. However, she stopped short, leaving him desperate. Unable to resist his hunger any longer, he instinctively dived towards the food in his mother's beak. This action, driven by his desperate need for sustenance, made him forget his fear of the vast sea below and resulted in his first flight.

Question 3

"They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly." Why did the seagull's father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
Solution: The seagull's parents resorted to both threatening and cajoling him because he was extremely reluctant to fly due to his intense fear of falling. Despite seeing his siblings successfully flying and enjoying themselves, he remained hesitant and made no effort to join them. Having exhausted other methods of encouragement, his parents used these tactics, including leaving him alone on the ledge, to try and provoke him into taking the necessary leap of faith. Their actions were aimed at pushing him beyond his fear and compelling him to use his natural ability to fly, which was essential for his survival.

Question 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.
Solution: Yes, I recall an experience in Class VI when I was learning to ride a bicycle. My initial attempts were unsuccessful, and I fell multiple times, which instilled a significant fear of cycling that was difficult to overcome. Despite encouragement and cajoling, I was hesitant to try again. However, my father was persistent and encouraged me to conquer my fear. He took me to a gentle slope near our village, had me sit on the bicycle, and guided me to place my hands on the handlebars and feet on the pedals. As we rode down the slope, I began to enjoy the ride without fear, which greatly boosted my confidence. Through this practice and my father's unwavering support, I eventually overcame my fear and learned to ride the cycle proficiently.

Question 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 the possibility of failure?
Solution: When learning any new skill, we often encounter initial difficulties and hesitate to perform tasks due to the fear of failure. In the case of the seagull, its parents cajoled it to fly, and in my example, my father encouraged me to learn cycling. At that stage, learning to cycle was very important for me, primarily to overcome my fear. While my success wasn't strictly guaranteed from the outset, the importance lay in the effort and the willingness to try despite the possibility of failure. True success often comes from perseverance. As the saying goes, "practice makes a man perfect," and determination plays a crucial role in achieving any goal.

Question 1

"I'll take the risk". What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
Solution: The risk the narrator decides to take is flying his old Dakota aeroplane directly into a massive, brewing storm. The sky was filled with dark clouds, indicating severe weather ahead, and visibility was extremely poor. The narrator chooses to take this significant risk because he is desperately eager to reach his home and spend the holiday breakfast with his family. He does not want to miss this opportunity, even if it means flying through dangerous weather conditions. His desire to be with his loved ones outweighs his fear of the storm.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the primary motivation for the seagull's flight (hunger vs. fear).
  • Underestimating the significance of the 'risk' taken by the narrator in 'The Black Aeroplane'.
  • Failing to connect the themes of fear and encouragement across both stories.
  • Providing superficial answers to questions requiring deeper analysis of character motivations.

Revision tips

  • Read both stories carefully to grasp the plot and character development.
  • Focus on the motivations behind the characters' actions, especially fear and courage.
  • Compare and contrast the challenges faced by the seagull and the aeroplane pilot.
  • Use the solutions to understand the deeper meanings and themes of the chapter.
  • Practice answering the questions in your own words, referencing specific events from the text.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason the young seagull was afraid to fly?

Q2. What ultimately compelled the young seagull to fly?

Q3. In 'The Black Aeroplane', why did the narrator decide to fly through the storm?

Q4. What unexpected help did the narrator receive in 'The Black Aeroplane'?

Q5. The question about a human baby taking its first step is used to illustrate:

Frequently asked questions

What are the two stories covered in Chapter 3 of Class 10 English NCERT?

Chapter 3 covers two stories: 'His First Flight' about a young seagull learning to fly, and 'The Black Aeroplane' about a pilot's perilous journey through a storm.

Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?

The young seagull was afraid to fly because it was its first attempt, and it feared falling into the sea and hurting itself. It doubted its wings' ability to support it.

What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?

The seagull's intense hunger, especially after seeing its mother with a fish, overpowered its fear. It dived towards the food, which led to its first flight.

What risk did the narrator take in 'The Black Aeroplane'?

The narrator took the risk of flying his old Dakota aeroplane through a large, dangerous storm, despite poor visibility and lack of proper navigation, to reach home in time for breakfast.

How do these stories relate to the theme of courage?

Both stories highlight courage. The seagull shows courage by overcoming its fear to fly, and the narrator demonstrates courage by taking a calculated risk to reach his family.

What is the significance of the mysterious black aeroplane?

The black aeroplane acts as a guiding force, helping the narrator navigate the storm and land safely. Its pilot and origin remain unexplained, adding an element of mystery and perhaps symbolizing inner strength or hope.

Important links

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