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Have you ever wondered what it feels like to fly for the first time?
What gives someone the courage to leave the ground and rise into the sky?
Can fear stop us from achieving something extraordinary—or can we learn to overcome it?
In Chapter 3: Two Stories About Flying from the Class 10 English textbook First Flight, readers are introduced to two inspiring tales that explore these very questions. This chapter is divided into two parts: His First Flight by Liam O’Flaherty and Black Aeroplane by Frederick Forsyth. Both stories highlight the theme of courage, self-belief, and the power of taking that first leap, whether it's a young bird learning to fly or a pilot navigating an unexpected crisis in the sky.
These stories are not just about flying—they’re about life’s challenges and how facing our fears can lead to personal growth. Whether you’re preparing for your CBSE board exams or simply curious about the deeper meaning behind these stories, this blog will help you understand the important themes, characters, and important messages of the chapter clearly and simply.
The Two Stories about Flying class 10 notes will provide a summary and topic-wise details to help students understand what the story is about. Below, we have provided the links to downloadable PDFs of chapter-wise Notes for class 10 English and that too for different categories of marks.
Two Stories About Flying is a chapter from the CBSE Class 10 English book First Flight. It is divided into two parts: "His First Flight" by Liam O’Flaherty and "The Black Aeroplane" by Frederick Forsyth. Both stories revolve around the theme of courage and facing the unknown, but each tells a different tale about flight and fear.
This is the story of a young seagull who is afraid to fly. Unlike his siblings, who have already taken their first flight, he hesitates and stays back on the ledge. He watches his family fly and enjoys the freedom of the sky, but his fear of falling holds him back.
Despite encouragement and scolding from his parents, the young seagull refuses to move. Eventually, his mother cleverly tempts him by flying close with a piece of fish. Driven by hunger, he jumps off the ledge to get the food—and to his surprise, he discovers that he can fly!
Moral: The story teaches us that fear is natural, but we must push through it to grow and succeed. Often, all it takes is a little courage to realise our true potential.
This story is told from the perspective of a pilot who is flying from Paris to England one night. The sky is clear, and everything seems perfect. But suddenly, he sees dark storm clouds in front of him. He knows he doesn’t have enough fuel to go around or turn back.
He decides to fly through the storm and quickly loses control of the aircraft. His compass and radio stop working, and he feels completely lost—until a mysterious black aeroplane appears beside him. The unknown pilot leads him safely out of the storm and disappears without a trace.
When the narrator lands and asks the control tower about the other plane, he's told that no other aircraft was in the sky that night. The story ends with a sense of mystery, leaving readers to wonder: who was the pilot of the black aeroplane?
Moral: This story shows that sometimes, help comes from unexpected places. It also reminds us to stay calm in difficult situations and have faith, even when the path is uncertain.
In Chapter 3: Two Stories About Flying from the Class 10 CBSE English textbook First Flight, we meet two very different characters—a young seagull afraid to fly and a pilot facing a life-threatening storm. Although their stories are different, both characters go through emotional journeys that reflect common human experiences like fear, decision-making, and personal growth.
The young seagull is the central character of the first story. He is shown as a nervous and timid bird, too afraid to take his first flight. While his brothers and sister fly confidently, he stays alone on the ledge, gripped by fear of falling. His hesitation reflects a common human emotion—the fear of failure.
However, the young seagull also has a deep hunger, both literally and symbolically. His mother cleverly uses this to encourage him to fly. When he finally jumps from the ledge, he realises he can fly and experiences joy and freedom. This moment marks his transformation from a fearful bird to a brave one.
Character traits:
The narrator of the second story is a pilot who appears confident and excited at the beginning of his journey. He looks forward to being home with his family and enjoying breakfast. However, his calm confidence is tested when he faces a dangerous storm mid-flight.
As his compass and radio stop working, he begins to panic. But his willingness to take risks and his trust in a mysterious black aeroplane help him find safety. After landing, he learns that no other plane was seen in the sky that night, leaving him shocked and confused.
The pilot’s journey symbolises human vulnerability but also highlights the importance of hope, trust, and staying calm under pressure.
Character traits:
These character sketches help us understand the emotional and psychological journey of both the seagull and the pilot. Whether it’s overcoming fear or trusting the unknown, each character teaches us something important about life.
The title "Two Stories about Flying" is chosen for Chapter 3 in Class 10 English because both stories centre around the theme of flight, but they explore it from different perspectives. Here's why the title is fitting:
The title "Two Stories about Flying" is chosen for Chapter 3 in Class 10 English because both stories centre around the theme of flight, but they explore it from different perspectives. Here's why the title is fitting:
Common Theme: Flight
Both stories revolve around the concept of flying—physically and metaphorically. The young seagull in "His First Flight" learns to fly literally, symbolizing personal growth and conquering fear. In "The Black Aeroplane", flying represents adventure, mystery, and the trust placed in the unknown.
Exploration of Emotions
The stories delve into human emotions like fear, courage, trust, and wonder. While the seagull’s journey represents the fear of failure and the joy of success, the mysterious aeroplane adds a sense of suspense and amazement.
Universal Messages
Both stories convey timeless lessons—whether it’s about pushing boundaries to achieve something new or believing in unexpected miracles. This makes the title relevant, as it ties the two narratives through a shared yet diverse exploration of the idea of flight.
Chapter-wise material, such as summaries, character sketches, and theme discussions, is essential for students, especially for those studying Class 10 CBSE English. Here’s why this material is particularly beneficial:
Simplifies Complex Texts
For many students, understanding the nuances of a literary text can be challenging. Chapter-wise material breaks down complex stories and themes into simpler, easy-to-understand points. This helps students grasp important ideas, plot developments, and character traits without feeling overwhelmed.
Provides Quick Revision
Before exams, students may not have time to go through the entire textbook again. Chapter-wise summaries and notes offer a quick revision tool. They cover the most important aspects of each chapter—such as important events, character arcs, and moral lessons—allowing students to revise effectively and efficiently.
Clarifies Themes and Messages
Literary works often contain underlying themes and messages that might not be immediately obvious. By breaking down the themes and central ideas of the chapter, students gain a deeper understanding of the author’s purpose. This helps them interpret the text more critically, which is important for assignments and exams.
Aids in Character Understanding
Character development plays an important role in most stories, and understanding the personalities, motivations, and growth of characters is crucial. Chapter-wise character sketches provide students with clear insights into who the characters are, what they represent, and how they contribute to the overall message of the story.
Encourages Better Writing Skills
By reviewing the material, students also improve their writing skills. Understanding how to summarize, explain themes, and describe characters helps in forming coherent and structured answers, whether it's for essays, exams, or projects.
Supports Analytical Thinking
Chapter-wise material often prompts students to reflect on important aspects of the story, such as the significance of certain events, symbols, or characters. This encourages critical thinking, which is essential for developing analytical skills. Students are encouraged to ask questions like "Why did the character act in this way?" or "What does the storm symbolize?" These skills are valuable not only in literature but also in other subjects.
Enhances Exam Preparation
CBSE exams often require students to write detailed answers about specific chapters. With well-organized chapter-wise material, students are better prepared to tackle different types of questions (like long-answer questions, short-answer questions, and character-based queries) during exams.
Builds Confidence
When students feel well-prepared, they are more confident in their ability to answer questions and perform well in exams. Having access to chapter-wise material boosts their preparedness, making them feel in control of the syllabus.
Makes Learning More Engaging
When students can break down a story into its essential elements (like themes, characters, and plot), they start enjoying the process of learning. It’s no longer just about memorizing information—it becomes about engaging with the text and finding personal connections to the story.
Chapter 3: Two Stories About Flying is an important part of the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus. It contains two short stories—"His First Flight" by Liam O’Flaherty and "The Black Aeroplane" by Frederick Forsyth. Both stories explore fear, courage, and unexpected experiences. While the chapter is simple to understand, many students still make common errors during preparation and in exams.
Here are some of the most frequent mistakes students should avoid:
Mixing Up the Two Stories
One of the most common mistakes is confusing the details of the two stories. Since both are based on flying, students often mix up characters, events, or messages.
Tip: Always remember — the first story is about a young bird learning to fly, and the second is about a human pilot facing a mysterious situation.
Forgetting the Authors’ Names
Marks are often lost for not mentioning the correct author.
Tip: Link the author with the story in your memory —
Ignoring the Moral or Message
Students sometimes summarise the events but fail to explain the central theme or moral of each story.
Tip: Always add a short line about what the story teaches — like overcoming fear, trusting yourself, or staying calm in tough situations.
Writing in a Complicated or Over-Formal Style
Trying to sound too advanced can lead to awkward or incorrect sentence structure.
Tip: Keep your answers simple, clear, and to the point. Teachers prefer clarity over fancy words.
Missing Out on Character Feelings and Growth
Some students only write what happens, not how the characters change or feel.
Tip: Focus on the emotional journey — for example, how the young seagull becomes confident, or how the pilot shifts from excitement to fear to relief.
Not Using Paragraphs in Long Answers
Many students write long answers as a single block of text, which makes it hard to read.
Tip: Break your answer into clear paragraphs — introduction, key events, conclusion/message.
Confusing the “Black Aeroplane” as a Real Aircraft
Some students mistakenly wrote that the black aeroplane was sent by the airport or another pilot.
Tip: Remember, the black aeroplane is a mystery—no one knows where it came from, and that’s the beauty of the story.
To do well in this chapter, read both stories more than once, make short notes, and practice writing answers in your own words. Don’t memorise line by line—instead, understand the story and explain it clearly.
At Educart we have provided these questions and other support materials, so teachers can help the students practice these types of questions thoroughly. These PDFs can be downloaded just with a click and user authentication.
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