Part I: His First Flight (Liam O'Flaherty) | Part II: Black Aeroplane (Frederick Forsyth)
NCERT Questions & Answers + Important Extra Questions
Part I: His First Flight
NCERT Questions
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or is it something peculiar about this seagull?
Answer
The young seagull was afraid to fly because when he looked down from the edge of the ledge, he felt dizzy and terrified. The vast expanse of the sea far below filled him with fear. He was convinced that his wings would not support him in the air. While his brothers and sister had already taken the plunge and learned to fly, he alone remained on the ledge, paralysed by fear. This is not peculiar to this seagull — all young creatures (including human children) experience fear when facing something new and risky for the first time. The fear of the unknown is universal. However, most overcome it sooner; this seagull was unusually timid.
How did the young seagull's family motivate him to fly?
Answer
His family used several tactics: (i) First, they scolded and taunted him, calling him a coward. (ii) They threatened to let him starve on the ledge if he didn't fly. (iii) His brothers and sister came near the ledge, flying and diving near him to show how easy it was, but he couldn't bring himself to join. (iv) Finally, his mother used the most effective trick — she picked up a piece of fish and flew towards him with food. When the starving seagull lunged at the fish, he fell off the ledge, and out of sheer instinct and desperation, his wings opened and he began to fly. Hunger overcame his fear.
What is the message of the story?
Answer
The story conveys several messages: (i) Fear is the greatest obstacle — the seagull had perfectly good wings and the ability to fly, but fear held him back. Similarly, people often have the ability to succeed but are paralysed by fear. (ii) Taking the first step is the hardest part — once the seagull was in the air, flying came naturally. The first attempt is always the scariest, but once we begin, things become easier. (iii) Sometimes a push is needed — the mother's clever trick of using hunger forced the seagull to take the leap. Similarly, sometimes circumstances or encouragement from others push us to overcome our fears. (iv) Family support matters — though the family's methods were tough, they ultimately helped the seagull discover his ability.
Part II: Black Aeroplane
NCERT Questions
"I'll take the risk." What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
Answer
The risk was flying through a massive storm cloud rather than turning back. The narrator was flying his old Dakota aeroplane from France to England at night. He saw huge storm clouds ahead — dark, towering masses that would be extremely dangerous to fly through (turbulence, zero visibility, lightning). The safe choice would have been to turn back to Paris. But the narrator took the risk because: (i) He was eager to get home — he wanted to reach England in time for a good English breakfast with his family. (ii) He had been dreaming of his family and a warm holiday. His desire to reach home overcame his caution.
Describe the narrator's experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.
Answer
The experience was terrifying: (i) Inside the clouds, everything went pitch black — he couldn't see anything outside the plane. (ii) The plane started jumping and twisting violently in the storm turbulence. (iii) He looked at his compass and found it was spinning wildly — useless. (iv) His other instruments (including the radio) also stopped working — dead, no signal. (v) He was completely lost — he didn't know where he was, how high he was, or which direction he was heading. (vi) He had only enough fuel for 5-10 minutes. He was afraid and helpless. Then suddenly, he saw another aeroplane — a black aeroplane with no lights — flying near him, whose pilot gestured him to follow.
Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among yourselves and give reasons for your answer.
Answer
This is deliberately left ambiguous and mysterious by the author. Possible interpretations: (i) Supernatural/imagination: There was no black aeroplane — the woman at the control tower said no other plane was flying that night, and nothing showed on the radar. The narrator may have imagined the other pilot under extreme stress and fear, and his own survival instinct guided him to the runway. (ii) A ghost/guardian angel: The mysterious pilot with no face visible, flying a plane with no lights, could represent a supernatural guide — perhaps the spirit of a dead pilot helping a fellow aviator. (iii) His own skill and luck: Experienced pilots can sometimes navigate by instinct even when instruments fail. The "black aeroplane" might symbolise his inner strength guiding him.
The mystery is intentional — the story is about the unexplained experiences in life that cannot be rationally explained.
Important Extra Questions
Compare the two stories in this chapter.
Answer
Both stories are about flying, but they explore different themes:
"His First Flight": About a young seagull overcoming fear. The message is about courage, taking the first step, and conquering the fear of the unknown. The tone is realistic (animal behaviour). The ending is triumphant — the seagull flies and joins his family.
"Black Aeroplane": About a pilot's mysterious experience during a storm. The message is about the unknown and unexplainable in life. The tone is suspenseful and eerie. The ending is mysterious — who was the other pilot? The story raises questions rather than providing answers.
Common thread: Both involve flight, risk, and the unknown. Both characters face a situation where they must trust something beyond their understanding — the seagull trusts his instinct, the pilot trusts the mysterious black aeroplane.
What is the significance of the title "Black Aeroplane"?
Answer
The "black aeroplane" is significant because: (i) It is mysterious — it has no lights, the pilot's face is not visible, and it doesn't appear on radar. (ii) It represents the unexplained — something that helped the narrator survive but cannot be rationally explained. (iii) Black symbolises the unknown, mystery, and the unseen. (iv) The aeroplane could symbolise a guardian presence — something that appears in our darkest moments to guide us. (v) The fact that it disappears without a trace deepens the mystery and makes the reader question what is real and what is imagination.