NCERT Solution of Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
Question 1:
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?Answer
Since it was the young seagull’s first flight, he was afraid to fly.
Yes, I think all young birds are afraid before they take their first flight since they are doing it for the first time, and it must be challenging for them. Human babies would similarly find it difficult to start walking. The first steps are abrupt, and they fall multiple times but then they master the skill.
Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
Question 2:
“The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
Answer
The young seagull was very hungry. It was this hunger that ultimately compelled it to fly. Its hunger intensified when it saw its mother tearing at a piece of fish that lay at her feet. It cried to her, begging her to get some food. When its mother came towards it with food in her beak, it screamed with joy and anticipation. However, she stopped midway. It wondered why she did not come nearer. Not being able to resist or controfits hunger any longer, it dived at the food in its mother’s beak. At that moment, his hunger overpowered his fear of the great expanse of sea beneath the cliff. Finally, this plunge was followed by the natural reaction of its body, i.e. to fly.
Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
Question 3:
“They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly. “Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
Answer
Seagull’s parents had tried everything but he was reluctant to fly due to fear of falling down. He looked at his brothers and sister but wouldn’t make any efforts. Thats why, the whole family had left him alone and threatened and cajoled him to come but every effort went in vain.
Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
Question 4:
Have you ever had a similar experience, where your parents encouraged you to do something that you were too scared to try? Discuss this in pairs or groups.
Answer
Yes, I have had a similar experience.
When I was about 10 years old, I was terrified of learning how to swim. I thought I would drown, and I refused to go into the deep end of the pool.
But my parents kept encouraging me. My father stood in the water and told me he would not let go until I was ready. My mother kept cheering me from the side, saying, “You can do it!”
Finally, one day, I gathered courage and jumped into the water. I was scared at first, but soon I realized I could float and move my arms. My fear slowly disappeared.
Question 5:
In the case of a bird flying, it seems a natural act, and a foregone conclusion that it should succeed. In the examples you have given in answer to the previous question, was your success guaranteed, or was it important for you to try, regardless of a possibility of failure?
Answer
Success wasn’t guaranteed when I tried swimming for the first time. I was scared, but my parents encouraged me to try. Like the young seagull, I had to take that first leap. Whether I succeeded or failed, it was important to try. That attempt helped me overcome fear and boosted my confidence to keep trying new things.
Part II – The Black Aeroplane
Question 1:
“I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
Answer
The risk was to fly through the black storm clouds. The narrator took the risk because he wanted to reach Paris to celebrate Christmas with his family.
Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
Question 2:
Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.
Answer
As the narrator flew his aeroplane into the storm, he felt frightened and helpless. The dark clouds surrounded him, and he could see nothing outside. His compass and other instruments stopped working, and he lost contact with the control room. He felt confused and lost, not knowing which direction to go. Just then, a mysterious black aeroplane appeared and guided him safely through the storm. The narrator was relieved and thankful, though he never found out who helped him.
Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
Question 3:
Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?
Answer
The narrator says, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…” because he had just experienced a terrifying flight through a violent storm. His instruments had failed, and he was lost in the dark sky, full of fear and uncertainty. After being guided safely by a mysterious black aeroplane, he finally landed without any harm. He felt relieved and grateful to be safe on the ground and wanted to leave behind the stressful experience of that flight.
Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
Question 4:
What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?
Answer
The woman in the control centre looked at the narrator strangely because he asked about the black aeroplane that had guided him through the storm. She was surprised and confused because she had seen no other plane on the radar that night.
Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
Question 5:
Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among yourselves and give reasons for your answer.
Answer
Probably, it was the narrator’s own self that helped him through the storm. There was no other plane in the storm as the woman at the control centre could see only his plane on the radar. Also, no other plane was flying that night. In his fear, he might have been hallucinating. He was a good pilot, and it might have been his own self that came to his help.
Class 10 English Chapter 3 Two Stories About Flying
