Class 10 English Prose 3 Two Stories About Flying is an interesting chapter consisting of two stories, unrelated but sharing the same theme underlying—both are stories of courage, persistence, and self-discovery. The first story is 'His First Flight' based on a small seagull and how the seagull overcomes his fear of flying. It is a wonderful story of an inner war and the final triumph of a seagull that at last bravely takes its first flight. The story is not about a mere physical flight; it is symbolic of conquering personal fears and the pursuit of one's potential.
Students can access the NCERT Solution for Class 10 English Prose 3: Two Stories About Flying. Curated by experts according to the CBSE syllabus for 2025–2026, these step-by-step solutions make English much easier to understand and learn for the students. These solutions can be used in practice by students to attain skills in solving problems, reinforce important learning objectives, and be well-prepared for tests.
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 step?
The young seagull was afraid to fly because it was his first flight and he feared of falling and hurting himself. He thought that his wings would not support him while flying. Yes, it is natural that doing something for the first time is a bit challenging and fearful. All birds must be afraid to make their first flight.
Similarly, a human baby is also afraid of taking the first step and finds it challenging when he learns to crawl or stand up without support.’
“The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
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.
They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?
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 effort. That's why the whole family had left him alone and threatened and cajole him to come but every effort went in vain.
you eHave ver 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.
(Suggested Answer) Yes, I had a similar experience while learning to ride a bicycle in class VI. In my initial attempts, I fell down everytime and developed a fear of cycling which was difficult to overcome.
No amount of provoking and cajoling could let me try it again, but my father encouraged me to overcome the fear and helped me as he was adamant on my learning cycling. He took me on a mound near the village and made me sit and asked me to put my hands on the handle and feet on the paddle. It sped down and I enjoyed it without fear which developed my confidence.
Thus, I overcame my fear of cycling and started riding a cycle after a few practice
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?
We face some problems in the initial stage while learning new skills. Due to the fear of failure, we hesitate to perform a task or to do something new. In case of the seagull his parents cajoled him to fly. In the example I have given in the answer to the previous question, I was cajoled by my father to learn cycling. So, at that stage, I was to learn cycling as it was very important for me to overcome my fear.
Yes, my success was guaranteed because if someone is determined to do something then success is assured. Moreover, as said, practice makes a man perfect.
II. The Black Aeroplane
“I’ll take the risk”. What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
A huge storm was brewing up and the author was
keen to reach his home to spend his holiday with his family. So, he decided to fly through the storm as he did not want to miss the chance to meet his family at breakfast. Thus he took the risk even when the visibility was almost zero in the storm.
Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the airplane into the storm.
As the pilot (author) entered the storm, his plane started jumping and twisting. He could not see anything outside the plane as it was black. When he looked at the compass and other instruments they had stopped functioning due to the storm. It was a terrible and fearsome experience for him. The fuel tank was almost empty and he could not fly more than ten minutes. Then he saw another black airplane by his side and the pilot of the plane signaled him to follow. It was a surprise for the narrator as the other black plane was having no light. He followed him without any choice and landed safely on the runway.
Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?
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 effort. That's why the whole family had left him alone and threatened and cajole him to come but every effort went in vain.
What made the woman in the Control Centre look at the narrator strangely?
The woman in the Control Centre looked at the
narrator strangely because the narrator asked him about the black aeroplane and she saw no one except the narrator’s in the sky during the storm. Even the radar showed only the narrator’s plane that night in the sky.
Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among yourselves and give reasons for your answer.
It is very difficult to say about the unknown pilot who helped the narrator. But probably it was the narrator himself that helped him to overcome the fear in the storm as no other plane was seen in the radar except the narrator’s Dakota plane. In that fearsome situation, he might have been hallucinating. He himself was a good pilot and brave enough who helped himself land safely.
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____.
4. Very few people enjoy Harold Pinter’s black comedy____.
5. Sometimes shopkeepers store essential goods____.
6. Villagers had beaten the criminal black and blue____.
1.A. The meaning of ‘black ’ in this sentence is that the face and hands are dark because of dust and dirt.
2.A. Here, ‘black’ refers to an angry look.
3.A. “Here, ‘blackest’ refers to the darkest and cruelest crime against humanity.
4.A. Here, ‘black’ refers to dark and gloomy comedy.
5.A. The meaning of ‘black’in this sentence is that the shopkeepers sell the described goods ‘at a higher price’.
6.A. Here, ‘black’means that the criminal suffered excessive beating at the hands of the villagers.
Look at these sentences taken from the lesson you have just read:
(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.
Match the phrases given under Column A with their meanings given under Column B:
|
A |
|
B |
|
|
1. |
Fly a flag |
(a) |
Move quickly/suddenly |
|
2. |
Fly into rage |
(b) |
Be successful |
|
3. |
Fly along |
(c) |
Display a flag on a long pole |
|
4. |
Fly high |
(d) |
Escape from a place |
|
5. |
Fly the coop |
(e) |
Become suddenly very angry |
1. (c),
2. (e),
3. (a),
4. (b),
5. (d).
The NCERT solution for Class 10 Prose 3: Two Stories About Flying is important as it provides a structured approach to learning, ensuring that students develop a strong understanding of foundational concepts early in their academic journey. By mastering these basics, students can build confidence and readiness for tackling more difficult concepts in their further education.
Yes, the NCERT solution for Class 10 Prose 3: Two Stories About Flying is quite useful for students in preparing for their exams. The solutions are simple, clear, and concise allowing students to understand them better. They can solve the practice questions and exercises that allow them to get exam-ready in no time.
You can get all the NCERT solutions for Class 10 English Prose 3 from the official website of the Orchids International School. These solutions are tailored by subject matter experts and are very easy to understand.
Yes, students must practice all the questions provided in the NCERT solution for Class 10 English Prose 3: Two Stories About Flying as it will help them gain a comprehensive understanding of the concept, identify their weak areas, and strengthen their preparation.
Students can utilize the NCERT solution for Class 10 English Prose 3 effectively by practicing the solutions regularly. Solve the exercises and practice questions given in the solution.
