Class 10 English - ODISHA
Prose: Two Stories about Flying
The chapter Two Stories about Flying from the Class 10 English curriculum prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) Odisha features two inspiring narratives. Part I, His First Flight by Liam O'Flaherty, tells the story of a young seagull overcoming his fear of flying with the encouragement of his family. Part II, The Black Aeroplane by Frederick Forsyth, describes a pilot miraculously escaping a dangerous storm with the help of a mysterious second plane. These stories emphasize courage, overcoming fear, and trusting one's instincts, making them very important for both comprehension and value-based questions in board exams.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Fear of the Unknown
The young seagull is paralyzed by the fear that his wings will not support him over the vast sea, representing the anxiety everyone faces before trying something new.
Role of Motivation and Family
The seagull family uses tough love, such as tempting him with food and leaving him alone, to push the young bird out of his comfort zone and into flight.
The Catalyst of Hunger
Extreme hunger finally forces the young seagull to dive for the fish held by his mother, triggering his instinct to fly and proving that necessity drives action.
Mystery and the Supernatural
In The Black Aeroplane, the mysterious pilot guiding the narrator through the storm adds an element of suspense and questions the boundaries of reality and human hallucination.
Presence of Mind in Crisis
The narrator in the second story demonstrates calmness and quick decision-making when his compass, radio, and fuel fail inside the monstrous storm clouds.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Odisha BSE Class 10 English examination, this chapter regularly features in reading comprehension passages, multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and long-type or short-type subjective questions. It typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions often test character motivation, summary writing, and thematic appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?
The young seagull was afraid because it was his first time, and looking down at the vast expanse of the green sea made him believe that his wings would never support him.
Who helped the pilot of the Dakota airplane in the storm?
A mysterious pilot in a black aeroplane without lights helped guide the narrator safely out of the storm clouds, though no trace of him or his plane was found later by the control room.
What is the central message of Two Stories about Flying?
The central message is that overcoming fear requires courage, taking the first step into the unknown, and sometimes relying on inner strength or unexpected help during desperate times.
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