First Flight - Class X
Reprint 2025-26
Since the earliest times, humans have dreamt of conquering the skies. Here are two stories about flying.
In this interactive lesson, we'll explore two fascinating stories about flying - one about a young seagull's first flight, and another about a pilot lost in storm clouds.
We'll also discover two beautiful poems - "How to Tell Wild Animals" and "The Ball Poem" - which explore themes of discovery, loss, and growing up.
Since the earliest times, humans have dreamt of conquering the skies. Here are two stories about flying.
I. A young seagull is afraid to fly. How does he conquer his fear?
II. A pilot is lost in storm clouds. Does he arrive safe? Who helps him?
Have you ever been afraid to try something new? How did you overcome your fear?
In pairs, discuss a time when you were afraid to do something but found the courage to do it anyway. What helped you overcome your fear?
Read these sentences taken from the story:
(a) They looked like black mountains.
(b) Inside the clouds, everything was suddenly black.
(c) In the black clouds near me, I saw another aeroplane.
(d) The strange black aeroplane was there.
The word black in sentences (a) and (c) refers to the very darkest colour. But in (b) and (d) it means without light/with no light.
'Black' has a variety of meanings in different contexts.
1. Go and have a bath; your hands and face are absolutely black.
2. The taxi-driver gave Ratan a black look as he crossed the road when the traffic light was green.
3. The bombardment of Hiroshima is one of the blackest crimes against humanity.
Look at these sentences taken from the stories:
(a) I was flying my old Dakota aeroplane.
(b) The young seagull had been afraid to fly with them.
In the first sentence the author was controlling an aircraft in the air. In the second sentence the seagull was afraid to move through the air, using its wings.
1. Fly a flag
2. Fly into rage
3. Fly along
4. Fly high
5. Fly the coop