Two Stories About Flying
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter contains TWO short stories — both tested separately and together in CBSE boards. His First Flight (Liam O'Flaherty) and The Black Aeroplane (Frederick Forsyth) appear in 4-6 mark questions on themes, character, and symbolism.
Story 1: His First Flight — Liam O'Flaherty
Summary
A young seagull is afraid to fly. His family — parents and two brothers and a sister — have already learned to fly. They call out to him, threaten him, even leave him alone on the ledge without food for a day. Nothing works.
His mother picks up a piece of fish in her beak and flies toward him, but stops just short of the ledge. The seagull is so hungry that he dives off the ledge to grab the fish — and suddenly discovers he is flying. His wings open naturally, the wind catches them, and he soars.
His family swoops around him, screaming with joy. He lands on the sea and calls out triumphantly.
Themes
Overcoming fear: The seagull's fear of flying is the central conflict. Fear, not inability, keeps him on the ledge.
Family support: The family never abandons the young seagull — they use creative tactics (tough love + temptation) to get him to take the plunge.
Hunger as motivation: Hunger — the most basic need — breaks through fear. The mother uses this instinctively.
First steps: The story is a metaphor for any first attempt — the terror before it and the triumph after.
Important Questions
Q1: Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?
He was afraid of the vastness of the sea below and the expanse of air around the ledge. When he ran toward the edge and looked down, his heart stood still — the sea seemed too far, the air too thin. His fear was irrational (his wings were as large as his siblings') but very real to him.
Q2: What finally made the seagull fly?
His hunger made him attempt the flight. His family had not brought him food for 24 hours. When his mother held a piece of fish tantalizingly just out of reach, he dived off the ledge to grab it — and his wings automatically opened, allowing him to fly.
Q3: What is the significance of the title "His First Flight"?
The title emphasises the milestone — it is the seagull's first successful flight. The "first" is important because it represents breaking through fear. Once done, what seemed impossible becomes natural.
Story 2: The Black Aeroplane — Frederick Forsyth
Summary
A pilot is flying his Dakota aircraft from France to England late at night. He is happy — looking forward to a holiday breakfast with his family.
Then he flies into a massive storm cloud. His compass stops working, all instruments fail. He is lost and has no fuel left.
In the darkness, he sees another aeroplane — old, black, without lights. The mysterious plane flies ahead, leading him through the storm. He follows it for half an hour. The other plane leads him out safely.
When he lands at Paris and thanks the control tower for guidance, they are confused — no other aircraft was reported in the sky that night. He searches for the pilot who saved him and finds nothing. The other aeroplane — and its pilot — were never explained.
Themes
Hope in danger: The narrator clings to hope even when all instruments fail.
Mystery and the unknown: The unexplained black aeroplane represents forces beyond human understanding.
Trust and following: The narrator trusts the unknown pilot completely — a metaphor for faith.
Dreams vs reality: The narrator was dreaming of a holiday breakfast — the story contrasts this pleasant dream with dangerous reality.
Important Questions
Q1: Why did the pilot choose to fly through the storm instead of turning back?
He wanted to reach England for his holiday and was eager to see his family. He also thought he could make it through — he had enough fuel and was confident. He turned into the clouds without checking the risk carefully.
Q2: Who do you think was the pilot of the black aeroplane?
This is left unexplained — a deliberate literary choice. Possible interpretations:
The author wants the reader to wonder. There is no single correct answer — the ambiguity is intentional.
Q3: Compare the two stories — what do they have in common?
Both stories involve overcoming a crisis through an unexpected catalyst.
In His First Flight: the seagull's hunger breaks his fear.
In The Black Aeroplane: the mysterious pilot saves the narrator.
Both involve trust — in one's own ability (seagull) and in an unknown helper (pilot).
Both have a moment of triumph at the end.
PYQs
2023: What do you think the black aeroplane symbolises in the story?
The black aeroplane symbolises hope, faith, or a guiding force that appears when human resources fail. It could represent the subconscious mind finding a solution, or a supernatural helper. The author never explains it, suggesting that some life-saving forces remain beyond explanation or understanding.
2022: How did the seagull's family help him fly?
They used multiple strategies: calling out to him, scolding him, leaving him without food for 24 hours, and finally the mother tempting him with fish. They understood that tough love combined with physical need (hunger) would eventually overcome his fear — and they were right.
2021: What was the narrator's feeling as he saw the black aeroplane?
He felt relieved and grateful. He had been lost in the storm with no instruments and little fuel. The appearance of the other plane gave him hope. He trusted it completely and followed it, which saved his life.
MCQ Practice
Q1. The seagull's fear was actually: (A) a physical disability (B) a mental fear of heights (C) fear of water (D) laziness → B
Q2. The black aeroplane had: (A) bright lights (B) no lights (C) red lights (D) blue lights → B
Q3. The young seagull finally flew because of: (A) encouragement (B) fear of being left alone (C) hunger (D) a strong wind → C
Q4 (Hard). The ending of The Black Aeroplane is deliberately unexplained to: (A) confuse the reader (B) create mystery and suggest forces beyond human understanding (C) save time (D) set up a sequel → B