Class 10 English - BIHAR

Prose: Two Stories about Flying

Prose: Two Stories about Flying in Class 10 English covers two distinct inspiring narratives. Part I, 'His First Flight' by Liam O'Flaherty, tells the story of a young seagull overcoming his fear of flying through parental encouragement and hunger. Part II, 'The Black Aeroplane' by Frederick Forsyth, follows a pilot who risks flying his Dakota through a massive storm and is miraculously guided to safety by a mysterious black aeroplane. For Bihar Board (BSEB) exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, character analysis, and thematic understanding of courage, faith, and overcoming fear.

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Key Concepts

Fear of the Unknown

The young seagull's terror of the vast sea below represents the psychological barrier everyone faces when trying something new for the first time.

Motivation and Tough Love

The seagull family uses hunger and isolation to push the young bird out of his comfort zone, showing that sometimes harsh measures are necessary for growth.

First Step to Success

The realization that wings can support him once he takes the leap teaches the lesson that action must replace hesitation to achieve success.

Mystery and the Supernatural

In 'The Black Aeroplane', the appearance of the mysterious pilot in the storm adds an element of suspense and questions the limits of human perception.

Presence of Mind in Crisis

The pilot's decision to risk flying through the storm despite broken instruments highlights the importance of staying calm and hopeful during emergencies.

Important Formulas

Courage: The mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
Faith: Complete trust or confidence in something, often leading to survival in desperate situations as seen in the second story.
Instinct: An innate, or natural, pattern of behavior in animals, such as the seagull's natural ability to fly once airborne.

Board Exam Info

In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 10 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Common question types include short answer questions based on the seagull's hesitation and the mystery of the black aeroplane, long answer questions exploring themes of courage and parental guidance, and reference-to-context extract-based questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?

The young seagull was afraid to fly because he looked down at the vast expanse of the sea and believed that his wings would never support him.

Who helped the pilot in the storm?

A mysterious pilot in a black aeroplane without lights guided the narrator safely through the storm clouds when his own compass and radio had failed.

What is the central message of 'Two Stories about Flying'?

The central message is that overcoming fear, taking risks, and having inner courage are essential to achieving our goals and surviving difficult challenges.

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