Part 1: His First Flight – Summary

Author: Liam O’Flaherty

“His First Flight” is an inspiring story about a young seagull who is afraid to fly. The author beautifully describes how the bird overcomes his fear and takes his first flight with courage and confidence.

Main Points:

• The young seagull was afraid of flying, though his brothers and sister had already learned it.
• He stood alone on the ledge while his family encouraged him to take a flight.
• Despite hunger and loneliness, his fear stopped him from trying.
• His mother cleverly tempted him with a piece of fish to make him fly.
• Driven by hunger, the seagull dived towards the fish — and instinctively opened his wings, realizing he could fly.
• He felt joy, freedom, and pride as he finally flew with his family.

Theme & Message:

• Theme: The story teaches that fear can hold us back, but confidence and courage can help us achieve freedom.
• Message: Success often comes when we face our fears and trust our own abilities.

Moral of the Story:

Never let fear stop you from taking your first step. True growth begins beyond fear.

Character Sketch:

• The Young Seagull: Hesitant, fearful, and nervous but transforms into a confident flier.
• The Mother Seagull: Wise and caring; helps her son face his fear through love and strategy.
• The Family: Supportive and encouraging, representing motivation and belief in one’s potential.

Key Vocabulary for Exams:

• Ledge: A narrow shelf on a cliff or rock face.
• Brink: Edge or verge of something.
• Plunged: Moved suddenly downwards.
• Soared: Flew high in the sky.

Part 2: The Black Aeroplane – Summary

Author: Frederick Forsyth

The story revolves around a pilot who experiences a mysterious encounter while flying his Dakota airplane at night. It combines suspense, faith, and mystery to highlight human dependence on unseen help during crises.

Main Points:

• The narrator was flying from Paris to England one night.
• The weather was calm, and the pilot was dreaming of a family breakfast at home.
• Suddenly, dark clouds appeared, and he entered a storm despite low fuel.
• He saw another black aeroplane flying beside him, leading him through the storm.
• When he landed safely, he asked about the other plane — but the control tower reported no such aircraft.
• The story ends mysteriously, leaving readers to wonder who helped the pilot — perhaps an angel, a spirit, or his own faith.

Theme & Message:

• Theme: Faith, hope, and mystery play a key role in human survival.
• Message: Sometimes, unseen forces guide us through life’s storms when we trust ourselves and keep faith.

Moral of the Story:

Have faith even in the darkest times. Miracles happen when we keep going with hope.

Character Sketch:

• The Pilot: Brave, emotional, yet human. Represents trust and determination in difficult times.
• The Mysterious Pilot: A symbol of divine help, fate, or faith — guiding others through unseen paths.

Important Words:

• Storm Clouds: Symbol of danger and challenges.
• Compass & Radio: Represent guidance and communication.
• Runway: Path to safe landing and security.

Combined Message of Both Stories

Both stories from the CBSE Class 10 English textbook highlight courage, faith, and determination as the main driving forces in life. The young seagull learns to fly, and the pilot learns to trust unseen help. Together, they teach students to face challenges fearlessly and believe in themselves.

• Lesson: Fear disappears when courage takes over.
• For Students: Every exam, goal, or problem is like a flight — you succeed when you trust your preparation and abilities.