Main Themes and Moral Lessons of Two Stories About Flying
The article focuses on the summary of two stories about flying for Class 10. The first part is His First Flight and the second is Black Airplane.
So let's first begin with the summary of the following chapter which is as below:-
His First Flight By Liam O' Flaherty
The young Seagull was lonely on his Ledge. Sister and two brothers had already learned to fly. He wanted to fly but could not trust his wings, he thought that his wings would not support him. He was fearful of the depth of the sea and the long stretch. His father and mother persuaded him to flee and even scolded him. They threatened him that if he did not fly he would die of hunger, but the seagull remained stable at one place, and just could not move.
It was getting hot as the sun was rising up in the sky. As he was hungry he could feel the heat even more. His mother tried to tempt him with pieces of fish realizing his madness for food as he was really hungry for a long time. His mother flew across to get nearer to him but the food was just within the reach of his beak but he just could not get it. He was so hungry that he dived at the fish. As soon as he did that he felt that his wings had spread outwards and the wind rushed against his breast feather. Slowly he soared downwards and upwards.
Beneath him, he saw a vast green sea. He Tried to stand on the sea on which his parents and siblings had already landed. Just his feet sank into the green sea but he did not sink any further. His family praised him for his first flight.
Black Airplane by Frederick Forsyth
At night at 1:30, the author was flying his old Dakota airplane over France to England. The moon was coming up in the East behind him and the sky was clear. The stars were Shining In The Clear Sky. The author was dreaming about his holiday and was looking forward to being with his family.
He called Paris control to get instructed about his way. He was advised by them to turn 12 degrees West. And as he turned in that direction he saw storm clouds in front of him. He did not have enough fuel to go around the clouds. He decided to go back to Paris but also wanted to get home. He, therefore, took the risk. He could not see anything, it was all black outside the airplane. In those black clouds, he saw another airplane and was glad to see another person thinking that he was trying to help him. The author followed him. If you forgot half an hour and found that the fuel could only last for another 5 to 10 minutes. He began to fear and to go down. Suddenly on the ground, he saw two straight lines of Light.
He finally landed on the runway. It was a sign of relief for him. He looked for his friend in the black airplane but could not find one. He then went into the control Tower an active woman where he was. The author was wonderstruck as the woman told him that there was no other airplane except that of his. The author wondered who was the one in the black airplane without lights who helped him to arrive safely here.
FAQs on Two Stories About Flying: Easy Summary & Exam Insights
1. What is the central theme connecting the two narratives in the chapter "Two Stories About Flying"?
The central theme connecting both stories is overcoming fear through courage and self-belief. In "His First Flight," a young seagull conquers his innate fear of flying. In "The Black Aeroplane," a pilot navigates a life-threatening storm. Both protagonists face seemingly insurmountable challenges but triumph by tapping into their inner strength, whether it's driven by hunger or a will to survive.
2. What is the primary message conveyed in the story "His First Flight"?
The primary message of "His First Flight" is that self-confidence and courage are essential to overcome our fears. The story illustrates that our potential is often limited only by our own mental barriers. It also highlights the role of family and motivation (like the seagull's hunger) as catalysts that push us to take the critical first step, which is often the hardest.
3. What does the mysterious 'black aeroplane' symbolise in the second story?
The 'black aeroplane' is a powerful symbol that can be interpreted in several ways. Primarily, it symbolises the narrator's own inner courage and self-help that materialised in a moment of crisis. It can also be seen as a symbol of hope or a mysterious, divine intervention that guides one through difficult times. It represents the idea that sometimes, the help we need comes from within ourselves, projected as an external guide.
4. How do the protagonists in the two stories differ in their initial response to the challenge?
The protagonists' initial responses show a clear contrast. The young seagull in "His First Flight" is initially paralysed by fear and hesitation, refusing to even try despite his family's encouragement. In contrast, the pilot in "The Black Aeroplane" is initially overconfident. He consciously decides to take a risk and fly into the storm, underestimating its danger, driven by his desire to get home for breakfast.
5. What is the significance of the pilot's desire for an English breakfast in "The Black Aeroplane"?
The desire for an English breakfast is significant because it represents the pilot's strong pull towards home, comfort, and normalcy. This simple, domestic desire is what motivates him to take the risky decision of flying through the storm clouds instead of turning back. It acts as the driving force behind the central conflict of the story, highlighting how personal longings can lead us to make brave, or foolish, decisions.
6. Compare the role of family in "His First Flight" with the role of the mysterious pilot in "The Black Aeroplane".
Both stories feature a form of external support, but their nature is different:
- In "His First Flight," the family's role is direct and psychological. They taunt, encourage, and ultimately trick the seagull into flying. Their support is tangible and rooted in love and desperation.
- In "The Black Aeroplane," the support is mysterious and possibly psychological. The other pilot is a silent guide who leads the way without communication and then vanishes. This support is more symbolic, representing the narrator's own subconscious will to survive.
7. Why couldn't the young seagull trust his own wings initially?
The young seagull couldn't trust his wings due to a deep-seated fear of the unknown and a lack of self-confidence. He saw the vast expanse of the sea beneath him and was convinced that his small wings would not support him. This fear was purely psychological, as his siblings, with wings just as short, had already flown successfully. His hesitation illustrates how fear can create a false perception of inability.
8. What makes the ending of "The Black Aeroplane" so mysterious and thought-provoking?
The ending is mysterious because it offers no logical explanation for the black aeroplane. The woman in the control tower confirms there were no other planes on the radar, leaving the pilot and the reader with an unresolved question. This ambiguity is intentional, forcing the reader to contemplate whether the saviour was a ghost, a hallucination born from stress, or a manifestation of the pilot's own courage. It leaves the story open to personal interpretation about faith and the human mind.
