Two Stories about Flying - His First Flight by Liam O'Flaherty and Black Aeroplane by Frederick Forsyth - Class 10 UP Board (English)

His First Flight by Liam O'Flaherty for Class 10 UP Board (English) 

📘 About the Author – Liam O’Flaherty

Name: Liam O’Flaherty
Born: August 28, 1896, Ireland
Died: September 7, 1984
Famous For: Short stories, novels
Genre: Realism, Naturalism, Social issues

Liam O’Flaherty was an Irish writer best known for his short stories and novels based on real-life struggles. He wrote about ordinary people and their emotions. His language is simple but powerful. In "His First Flight," he shows how fear can stop someone from achieving success, but with encouragement, one can overcome fear.

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📖 About the Lesson – His First Flight

This lesson is a short story about a young seagull who is afraid to fly. While all his brothers and sisters have learned to fly, he remains scared and unsure. The story describes his journey from fear to courage and how he finally makes his first flight. It teaches us the value of self-confidence, courage, and support from family.

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📚 Long Summary in English

"His First Flight" is a story about a young seagull who is scared to fly. His brothers and sister have already flown away, but he is still sitting on the ledge of a rock. He sees his family flying, diving, and catching fish, but he is too afraid to trust his wings.

His family tries to encourage him. They even scold and threaten to leave him hungry. One day, the young seagull is left alone on the rock. He becomes very hungry. He sees his mother flying toward him with a piece of fish. He is excited and wants the food. But the mother does not come close enough. She stays just out of reach.

When he tries to get the fish, he falls off the rock. At first, he is terrified. But then, something amazing happens — his wings spread out, and he starts flying. He is surprised and happy. Now he is flying high in the sky. He joins his family, and they all celebrate his first flight.

This story teaches us that fear is natural, but we must try. Once we face our fear, we find that we are stronger than we thought.

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📗 Long Summary in Hindi (दीर्घ सारांश)

"His First Flight" एक युवा सीगल (समुद्री पक्षी) की कहानी है, जिसे उड़ने से डर लगता है। उसके भाई-बहन पहले ही उड़ना सीख चुके हैं, लेकिन वह चट्टान के किनारे बैठा रहता है। उसे डर है कि कहीं वह गिर न जाए।

उसके माता-पिता उसे उड़ने के लिए प्रेरित करते हैं। वे उसे डांटते हैं, डराते हैं और खाना देना बंद कर देते हैं। एक दिन पूरा परिवार उसे अकेला छोड़ देता है। वह बहुत भूखा हो जाता है।

तभी वह अपनी माँ को मछली के एक टुकड़े के साथ उड़ते हुए देखता है। माँ पास आती है, लेकिन इतनी नहीं कि वह मछली पकड़ सके। भूख के कारण, वह मछली की ओर झपटता है और चट्टान से नीचे गिर जाता है।

गिरते समय वह डर जाता है, लेकिन जब उसके पंख फैलते हैं, तो वह खुद को उड़ते हुए पाता है। वह बहुत खुश होता है। अब वह अपने परिवार के साथ उड़ता है। यह उसका पहला उड़ान (First Flight) होता है।

यह कहानी हमें सिखाती है कि डर स्वाभाविक है, लेकिन हमें कोशिश करनी चाहिए। जब हम डर का सामना करते हैं, तब हमें अपनी असली ताकत का पता चलता है।

✍️ Frederick Forsyth

• Full Name: Frederick McCarthy Forsyth

• Born: 25 August 1938, United Kingdom

• Profession: Journalist, Novelist

• Famous For: Thriller and mystery novels

• Famous Work: The Day of the Jackal, Black Aeroplane (Short Story)

📌 Fact: He was once a pilot, and his stories often include air travel, suspense, and unexpected twists.

Black Aeroplane – Summary in English

The narrator (pilot) was flying from France to England at night. The weather was clear at first, but then he was caught in a dark storm. All instruments — compass, radio — failed. He was lost in the dark clouds.

Suddenly, he saw a black aeroplane flying next to him. The pilot in that plane guided him safely to an airport. But after landing, when he asked the airport staff about the other plane, they said no other plane was flying that night. It was a mystery — who helped him?

🌌 Black Aeroplane – Summary in Hindi

कहानी एक पायलट की है जो रात में फ्रांस से इंग्लैंड जा रहा होता है। मौसम पहले साफ था लेकिन बाद में वह काले बादलों में फँस जाता है। उसके सभी यंत्र — कम्पास, रेडियो — काम करना बंद कर देते हैं।

तभी एक काला हवाई जहाज उसके पास आता है और उसे सुरक्षित हवाई अड्डे तक पहुँचा देता है। जब वह पायलट वहाँ के अधिकारियों से उस काले जहाज के बारे में पूछता है, तो वे कहते हैं कि उस रात कोई और जहाज नहीं था। यह एक रहस्य बन जाता है — उसे मदद किसने की?

📝 4. 150 Difficult Word Meanings

Word	Pronunciation (in Hindi)	Meaning (in Hindi)
Ledge	लेज	चट्टान या दीवार की मुंडेर
Seagull	सीगल	समुद्री पक्षी
Flap	फ्लैप	पंख फड़फड़ाना
Cowardice	काउर्डिस	कायरता
Muster	मस्टर	इकट्ठा करना (हिम्मत)
Soar	सोर	ऊँची उड़ान भरना
Glide	ग्लाइड	फिसलते हुए उड़ना
Beneath	बिनीथ	नीचे
Swoop	स्वूप	तेजी से नीचे आना
Beckoning	बेकनिंग	इशारा करना
Devour	डिवॉर	लालच से खाना
Plunge	प्लंज	कूदना या गिरना
Screech	स्क्रीच	चीखना
Curveting	कर्वेटिंग	चक्कर लगाना (हवा में)
Shriek	श्रिक	जोर से चिल्लाना
Triumph	ट्रायम्फ	विजय
Roar	रोअर	गरजना
Storm	स्टॉर्म	तूफान
Compass	कंपस	दिशा सूचक यंत्र
Radio	रेडियो	संचार यंत्र
Control Room	कंट्रोल रूम	नियंत्रण कक्ष
Fuel	फ्यूल	ईंधन
Tank	टैंक	ईंधन पात्र
Safe Landing	सेफ लैंडिंग	सुरक्षित उतरना
Airport	एयरपोर्ट	हवाई अड्डा
Disappear	डिसअपियर	गायब होना
Mystery	मिस्ट्री	रहस्य
Instrument	इंस्ट्रूमेंट	यंत्र
Trembling	ट्रेम्बलिंग	काँपना
Hesitation	हेज़िटेशन	हिचकिचाहट
Encouragement	एन्करेजमेंट	उत्साहवर्धन
Attempt	अटेम्प्ट	प्रयास
Helpless	हेल्पलेस	असहाय
Gasp	गैस्प	साँस खींचना
Reluctant	रिलक्टैंट	अनिच्छुक
Wing	विंग	पंख
Sky	स्काई	आकाश
Courage	करेज	साहस
Hope	होप	आशा
Confidence	कॉन्फिडेंस	आत्म-विश्वास
Risk	रिस्क	जोखिम
Success	सक्सेस	सफलता

Panic	पैनिक	घबराहट
Attempt	अटेम्प्ट	प्रयास करना
Fail	फेल	असफल होना
Learn	लर्न	सीखना
Alone	अलोन	अकेला
Hunger	हंगर	भूख
Trick	ट्रिक	चाल, तरकीब
Family	फैमिली	परिवार
Edge	ऐज	किनारा
Below	बिलो	नीचे
High	हाई	ऊँचाई
Drop	ड्रॉप	गिरना
Float	फ्लोट	तैरना (हवा/पानी में)
Catch	कैच	पकड़ना
Cry	क्राय	चिल्लाना / रोना
Joy	जॉय	खुशी
Fear	फियर	डर
Encourage	एन्करेज	उत्साहित करना
Inspire	इन्स्पायर	प्रेरित करना
Struggle	स्ट्रगल	संघर्ष
Overcome	ओवरकम	पार पाना
Effort	एफर्ट	प्रयास
Sudden	सडन	अचानक
Brave	ब्रेव	बहादुर
Proud	प्राउड	गर्व
Journey	जर्नी	यात्रा
Experience	एक्सपीरियंस	अनुभव
Darkness	डार्कनेस	अंधकार
Cloud	क्लाउड	बादल
Dangerous	डेंजरस	खतरनाक
Voice	वॉयस	आवाज़
Silent	साइलेंट	चुप
Situation	सिचुएशन	स्थिति
Confused	कन्फ्यूज्ड	भ्रमित
Guide	गाइड	मार्गदर्शन करना
Appear	अपीयर	दिखाई देना
Faith	फेथ	विश्वास
Invisible	इनविज़िबल	अदृश्य
Present	प्रेज़ेंट	मौजूद
Strange	स्ट्रेंज	अजीब
Energy	एनर्जी	ऊर्जा
Smooth	स्मूथ	आसान, मुलायम
Grateful	ग्रेटफुल	आभारी
Save	सेव	बचाना
Safety	सेफ्टी	सुरक्षा
Warning	वार्निंग	चेतावनी
Light	लाइट	रोशनी
Airport Staff	एयरपोर्ट स्टाफ	हवाई अड्डे के कर्मचारी
Surprise	सरप्राइज़	आश्चर्य
Impossible	इम्पॉसिबल	असंभव
Reality	रियालिटी	वास्तविकता
Believe	बिलीव	विश्वास करना
Spirit	स्पिरिट	आत्मा / भावना
Calm	काम	शांत
Pilot	पायलट	विमान चालक
Thunder	थंडर	गरज
Lightning	लाइटनिंग	बिजली (कड़क)
Decision	डिसीजन	निर्णय
Direction	डाइरेक्शन	दिशा
Desperate	डेस्परेट	निराश
Shadow	शैडो	छाया
Control	कंट्रोल	नियंत्रण
Lost	लॉस्ट	खो जाना
Courageous	करेजियस	साहसी
Air	एयर	हवा
Heavy	हेवी	भारी
Wide	वाइड	चौड़ा
Wonder	वंडर	आश्चर्य
Dream	ड्रीम	सपना
Feeling	फीलिंग	भावना
Lift	लिफ्ट	ऊपर उठना
Blow	ब्लो	बहना (हवा)
Movement	मूवमेंट	गति
Fearful	फियरफुल	डरावना
Climb	क्लाइम्ब	चढ़ना
Nose Dive	नोज डाइव	नाक के बल गिरना (तेजी से गिरना)
Nervous	नर्वस	घबराया हुआ
Focus	फोकस	ध्यान केंद्रित करना
Hopeful	होपफुल	आशावादी
Alone	अलोन	अकेला
Near	नियर	पास
Far	फार	दूर
Close	क्लोज	नजदीक
Message	मैसेज	संदेश
Trouble	ट्रबल	परेशानी
Reach	रीच	पहुँच जाना
Fly	फ्लाय	उड़ना
Dawn	डॉन	सुबह की रोशनी
Horizon	होराइजन	क्षितिज
Destination	डेस्टिनेशन	गंतव्य
Thankful	थैंकफुल	धन्यवादपूर्ण
Float	फ्लोट	बहना
Twist	ट्विस्ट	मोड़ (घटना में)
Unexpected	अनएक्सपेक्टेड	अप्रत्याशित
Rescue	रेस्क्यू	बचाव करना
Believe	बिलीव	विश्वास करना
Shadowy	शैडोई	धुंधला
Guide	गाइड	मार्गदर्शक
Path	पाथ	रास्ता
Safe	सेफ	सुरक्षित
Risky	रिस्की	जोखिमभरा

📘 Short Answer Type Questions (30 words)

Q.1. Why was the young seagull afraid of flying?
👉 He was afraid of falling from the height. He thought his wings would not support him. He lacked confidence and was scared of flying in the open sky.

Q.2. What did the seagull do to draw the attention of his family?
👉 He cried and walked on the ledge. He tried to attract them by showing pain. He wanted them to give him food or help him fly.

Q.3. Why did the young seagull scream?
👉 The young seagull screamed when he jumped off the ledge. He was scared at first but then felt happy as he started flying for the first time.

Q.4. How did the young seagull start flying and overcome his fear of the water?
👉 When he was hungry, his mother flew near him with food. He jumped to get it and started flying. Later, he landed on the sea and floated easily.

Q.5. How did the seagull express his excitement when he saw his mother bringing food for him?
👉 The young seagull was very happy. He cried loudly and flapped his wings. He was too hungry and rushed toward his mother when he saw food in her beak.

Q.6. How much fuel was there in the aeroplane when the writer started flying?
👉 The writer had only enough fuel to fly for five to ten minutes more. He was in danger if he didn’t find help soon during his flight in the storm.

Q.7. What risk did the writer take while flying?
👉 The writer took a big risk by flying into the dark clouds. He had no idea about the direction and weather, but he still entered the storm to move forward.

Q.8. Why did the writer follow the pilot of another plane?
👉 The writer was lost in the storm. He saw another plane and followed it because he believed the pilot would guide him safely out of the dark clouds.

Q.9. What did the writer see inside the black clouds?
👉 Inside the black clouds, everything was dark. He couldn’t see any lights or other aircraft. The plane was shaking, and the compass and radio were not working properly.

Q.10. Why did the writer want to meet the pilot of the black aeroplane?
👉 The writer wanted to thank the unknown pilot who helped him during the storm. He saved his life by guiding him safely to the airport in that dark night.

Q.11. What is a seagull? What is the lesson ‘His First Flight’ about?
👉 A seagull is a bird that lives near the sea. ‘His First Flight’ teaches us to be brave and take the first step to overcome our fear and doubt.

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📘 Long Answer Type Questions (60 words)

Q.1. "Black Aeroplane" is a mystery story. Explain.
👉 The story becomes a mystery because the black aeroplane and its pilot disappear after helping the writer. No one saw that plane on the radar. The writer was safe, but no one knew who the pilot was. It seemed like a dream or a miracle. So, the story is full of mystery and surprise.

Q.2. Why was the writer happy when he decided to fly in the night?
👉 The writer was flying from France to England. He was happy because he would be home with his family for breakfast. The sky was clear, and the weather was good. He felt excited and free while flying his plane. He didn’t know about the coming storm. At that time, he was enjoying the flight.

Q.3. What methods were used by the seagull’s family to help him overcome his fear of flying?
👉 The young seagull was afraid of flying. His family did not help him directly. They left him alone on the ledge. His mother used food to make him fly. When he jumped for food, he started flying. His family encouraged and celebrated his flight. In this way, they helped him without forcing.

Q.4. How did you find the young seagull learn floating on the sea? What is the message of the lesson?
👉 After flying, the young seagull landed on the sea. At first, he was afraid. But soon he found that his body floated on the water. He was happy and safe. The lesson gives a message of courage. We should believe in ourselves and take the first step. Confidence comes when we try something new.

Q.5. How did the young seagull learn floating on the sea?
👉 When the young seagull flew for the first time, he came down to the sea. He thought he would sink but found himself floating easily. It gave him joy. He learned that fear is only in the mind. Once we try, 

30 exam-oriented Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) based on the UP Board Class 10 English lesson:
📘 “Two Stories About Flying”
✈️ (Part I: His First Flight – by Liam O’Flaherty)
🌌 (Part II: The Black Aeroplane – by Frederick Forsyth)

✅ MCQs: Two Stories About Flying

✈️ Part I: His First Flight (By Liam O’Flaherty)

1. Who is the main character in 'His First Flight'?
   a) A pilot
   b) A baby bird
   c) A young seagull
   d) A penguin
   → c) A young seagull

2. What was the young seagull afraid of?
   a) Heights
   b) Water
   c) Flying
   d) Food
   → c) Flying

3. What did his parents do to force him to fly?
   a) Shouted at him
   b) Left him alone
   c) Hit him
   d) Taught him flying
   → b) Left him alone

4. How many siblings did the young seagull have?
   a) Two
   b) One
   c) Three
   d) Four
   → a) Two

5. What did the young seagull see his brother doing on the ledge?
   a) Dancing
   b) Flying
   c) Playing with shells
   d) Eating fish
   → b) Flying

6. What did his mother do to trick him?
   a) Gave him a push
   b) Scolded him
   c) Offered food near the edge
   d) Flew away
   → c) Offered food near the edge

7. What type of food did his mother carry to him?
   a) Bread
   b) Insects
   c) Fish
   d) Worm
   → c) Fish

8. What happened when the seagull jumped for food?
   a) He fell
   b) He flew
   c) He got hurt
   d) His mother caught him
   → b) He flew

9. What emotion did the seagull feel after flying?
   a) Sadness
   b) Fear
   c) Joy
   d) Anger
   → c) Joy

10. What is the theme of “His First Flight”?
    a) Nature’s cruelty
    b) Importance of food
    c) Overcoming fear
    d) Family bonding
    → c) Overcoming fear

11. Where did the seagull live?
    a) On a beach
    b) On a tree
    c) On a mountain
    d) On a ledge of a cliff
    → d) On a ledge of a cliff

12. What lesson does the story teach?
    a) Be lazy
    b) Avoid flying
    c) Take help always
    d) Believe in yourself and try
    → d) Believe in yourself and try

13. What is the seagull’s first reaction when he begins flying?
    a) Cries
    b) Becomes unconscious
    c) Shouts with joy
    d) Faints
    → c) Shouts with joy

14. Who writes “His First Flight”?
    a) Liam O’Flaherty
    b) Frederick Forsyth
    c) William Blake
    d) O. Henry
    → a) Liam O’Flaherty

15. What did the seagull enjoy most while flying?
    a) Fish
    b) The wind
    c) The sea
    d) His shadow
    → b) The wind

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🌌 Part II: The Black Aeroplane (By Frederick Forsyth)

16. Who is the author of “The Black Aeroplane”?
    a) Liam O’Flaherty
    b) Frederick Forsyth
    c) Nelson Mandela
    d) Roald Dahl
    → b) Frederick Forsyth

17. Where was the pilot flying from?
    a) India
    b) France
    c) England
    d) America
    → b) France

18. What was the destination of the pilot?
    a) Paris
    b) Berlin
    c) London
    d) Delhi
    → c) London

19. What type of airplane was the narrator flying?
    a) Boeing
    b) Old Dakota
    c) Fighter jet
    d) Helicopter
    → b) Old Dakota

20. What time was it when the pilot started flying?
    a) Afternoon
    b) Midnight
    c) Early morning
    d) Evening
    → c) Early morning

21. What problem did the pilot face during the flight?
    a) No petrol
    b) Thunderstorm
    c) Engine failure
    d) Airport closed
    → b) Thunderstorm

22. What happened to the compass during the storm?
    a) Showed correct direction
    b) Got broken
    c) Stopped working
    d) Disappeared
    → c) Stopped working

23. What did the pilot see in the storm?
    a) Light
    b) Another plane
    c) Mountains
    d) River
    → b) Another plane

24. What color was the mysterious plane?
    a) White
    b) Yellow
    c) Black
    d) Red
    → c) Black

25. How many engines did the black aeroplane have?
    a) Two
    b) Four
    c) One
    d) Three
    → a) Two

26. What did the black plane’s pilot do?
    a) Vanished
    b) Led the narrator safely
    c) Took him to another city
    d) Dropped a message
    → b) Led the narrator safely

27. What surprised the narrator at the airport?
    a) No one saw the black plane
    b) His plane was missing
    c) His watch was broken
    d) No airport lights
    → a) No one saw the black plane

28. Who helped the narrator according to him?
    a) Airport staff
    b) Black plane’s pilot
    c) Control tower
    d) His co-pilot
    → b) Black plane’s pilot

29. What was the name of narrator’s plane?
    a) Dakota
    b) Fighter
    c) Falcon
    d) Thunder
    → a) Dakota

30. What is the theme of “The Black Aeroplane”?
    a) Love and betrayal
    b) Adventure and mystery
    c) Business and travel
    d) Fear and anger
    → b) Adventure and mystery