OTBA- First Flight

GRADE: X SUBJECT: English

Lesson 1: A Letter to God
1. The people at the post-office contribute to put together whatever they can manage, for
Lencho.
(a) What do you think was the main reason behind their help? Would you have done
the same if you were one of the employees?
(b) As an employee, write about your perspective and reason(s) for contributing to the
fund. The fact that you don’t want to say ‘no’ to a cause initiated by your boss, can also
be an equally compelling reason!
2. Read the given anecdote and analyse the similarities and differences with reference to
‘A Letter to God’.
A very poor woman called-in a radio station asking for help from God. A non-believer,
also listening to this radio program, decided to make fun of the woman. He got her
address, called his secretary and ordered her to buy food and take it to the woman.
However, the instruction was: "When the woman asks who sent the food, tell her that
it’s from the devil.'' When the secretary arrived at the woman's house, the woman was
very happy and grateful for the help. The Secretary then asked her, ''Don't you want to
know who sent the food?''
The woman replied, ''No, I don't even care because when God orders, even the devil
obeys!
3. The postmaster was a representative of God. Evaluate this statement in the context of
your understanding of ‘A Letter to God”.

Poem 1: Dust of Snow

1. As a crow you feel highly injured by the incorrect perception humans have about your
species.
Imagine yourself to be a crow and write your opinion about this prejudice. Make a case
for breaking stereotypes.
2. Imagine that Frost is of present day and has been invited to write for an e zine - “Teen
Talk”.
He chooses to draw upon his experience with the crow and the dusting of snow to share
his thoughts on ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’. As Frost, express your thoughts for
the e-zine.
Poem 2: Fire and Ice
1. Most of your classmates, like Frost, feel that man’s greed and rage or hate, would lead
the world to its destruction.
You feel that the ‘fire and ice’ in Mankind can be addressed to create a harmonious
world.
Write a speech, for your classmates, expressing your belief/s with respect to the poem.
2. Fire and Ice projects a pessimistic outlook. Comment.
 Lesson 2: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
1. Freedom is inconsequential if it is behind bars of prejudice and narrow mindedness.
How would you explain this statement? Support your answer with suitable examples
from the real world.
2. After having read the lesson on the oppression that communities faced in South Africa,
you were deeply hurt. You could also relate to the struggles and hardships of millions
of Indians who fought against the oppressive
British rule.
Write a diary entry expressing your feelings about oppression faced by people in their
homeland.
You may begin like this:
24 August 20XX, Monday 9:00 pm
My heart is filled with sadness as I think of the oppressed who
had to tolerate the inhuman attitude of the oppressors in their
own land. …………(continue)………………
3. Prejudice based on race and colour or any other reason causes profound hurt.
Write about any one character from the chapters in First Flight who was subjected to
such prejudice?
Discuss the consequence of this prejudice for the character
4. Imagine that Nelson Mandela read ‘Fire and Ice’. As Mandela, write a diary entry
associating the impact of the troubled history of South Africa with the idea expressed
in the poem.
You may begin like this:
10 May 1994, Tuesday 10 p.m.
Today, when I am the President of South Africa, I can’t help recalling Robert
Frost’s ‘Fire and Ice’………………...(continue)………………….

Poem 3: A Tiger in the Zoo

1. Imagine the tiger writes a diary entry conveying how he feels helpless, angry and
frustrated in the concrete cell. He writes about his desire to be free. Write that diary
entry.
You may begin like this:
15 October 2020, Thursday 9:00 pm
I feel so vulnerable and annoyed at my state. I don’t know if I can ever be a free
denizen of the forest. -----------------------(continue)--------------------

2. Imagine that Man has been accused by the tiger of cruelty in an animal court. What
would be the tiger’s two major accusations and how would Man defend them? Present
your answer in two paragraphs.
3. The tiger in the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ presents a contrasting image with the tiger
in the poem ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’. Compare and contrast the two tigers with
reference to the manner in which they have been presented in both poems.
 Lesson 3: Two Stories about Flying
1. The young seagull’s parents wanted him to fly, like his brothers and sister. How could
the young seagull’s newly flying siblings (Brother 1, Brother 2 and Sister) have
motivated him? Write a brief conversation among them.
2. A noted author, Richard Bach wrote – “For most gulls it was not flying that mattered,
but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight.”
Evaluate this statement with respect to the young seagull.
3. Look at the image of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Abraham Maslow devised a theory
of motivation that shows the basic needs at the bottom, and more advanced needs as
you move up. It includes the theory that fundamental needs must be met before an
individual can be motivated to achieve higher order needs.

Where in this hierarchy of needs, would you locate the young seagull’s first flight?
Justify your response.
II. Black Aeroplane
1. Imagine that the narrator shared his story with friends and family once he got home.
One of them, a spiritual leader, decided to incorporate the story as part of his weekly
sermon to the congregation. Another friend, a
psychologist, worked the story into his next lecture on survival instinct and crisis
management.
Do you think the two interpretations of the story would be different? If so, how?
What insights might the narrator get about his mysterious experience, if he were to
attend both the sessions?
2. In a parallel world, the pilot of the black aeroplane narrates his adventure in a story
titled ‘The Old Dakota’. You come across an excerpt from the story,which responds to
the ending questions of ‘Black Aeroplane’ and describes the black aeroplane pilot’s
decision to fly away after watching the Dakota
land.
3. Compose the said excerpt of the story employing relevant details from ‘Black
Aeroplane’.

Poem 4: How to Tell Wild Animals

1. Write a letter to the poet detailing your favourite aspects of the poem and the ones that
you did not like. Include a request about which animal you’d like her to exclusively
compose a poem on. Give reason/s for your choice.
 XYZ
USA
18 July XXXX
Dear Ms. Wells
I just read your poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” and enjoyed it thoroughly!
………………………. (continue)………………………….
Yours sincerely
2. Imagine the poet meets your pet. Write a detailed account of the characteristics the poet
could use for her poem, if she were to write about telling your pet.

Poem 5: The Ball Poem

1. The poem deals with a child understanding loss for the first time. Matches and
championships too, deal with a different sense of loss. Explain how games and sports
are a good way to train children to take losses in their stride
2. Imagine you are the boy’s elder sibling. He tells you about the loss of the ball on
reaching home. How would you assure him?
You may begin your reply like this:
I don’t think you should take this to heart. You see…
3. When we think of losses, we generally think of people or possessions. Time is
considered a very precious commodity. Explain why time can probably be one of the
things people bitterly regret losing/wasting.

Lesson 4: From the Diary of Anne Frank

1. Anne bid a ‘heartbreaking farewell’ to Mrs. Kuperus. As Anne, write a brief farewell
note to Mr. Keesing after being promoted to the next class.
Dear Mr. Keesing
It has been …………………………………………………………………………
2. Your teacher has organised a debate and you have been asked to speak on:
‘Consequences and Positive Reinforcements Have a Great Impact on Student
Behaviour’. Write the debate script with three-four points to supplement your stand,
either as a proposition speaker or as an opposition one.

3. You are stressed and anxious since your Annual results are going to be announced
soon. You decide to meet the school counsellor to share your anxiety and
apprehensions. Write the dialogue between you and your school counsellor.
You may begin like this:
School Counsellor: Hello Anne, please sit down. You look very disturbed and irritated.
What’s the matter?
You: Well, to be honest, we all are disturbed. But the irritation is because of the two
boys sitting behind……………
School Counsellor: First of all, you need to relax. Take a deep breath. How do you feel
we can deal with this situation rationally?
You: .......................................................................(continue)
 Poem 6: Amanda!
1. How would you characterise the speaker in the poem ‘Amanda!’? List any two
qualities, supporting the reason of your choice, with evidence from the poem.

2. Read the quote given below carefully. Based on your understanding of the poem,
explain how and why this quote can be applied to the poem.

3. Colin Wilson, an English author, said, “Your imagination should be used not to escape
reality but to create it.” Discuss the given quote with respect to the character Amanda.

Lesson 5: Glimpses of India

I. A Baker from Goa’
1. In the chapter, ‘A Baker from Goa’ the narrator talks about his childhood in Goa and
his fond memories. Compare the childhood of Nelson Mandela with that of the
narrator.

II. Coorg
1. The culture, lifestyle and traditions of a place are influenced by the people who lived or
settled there at some point of time. Cultural assimilation adds flavour to the existing
structure of a society. Summarise your opinion on the given idea.
2. Pen down a brief travelogue* entry, narrating any personal impression/s about a visit to
Coorg. Include your reflections about the differences between the place where you live
and the place you’ve visited.
(* A travelogue is a person’s account of a journey to another country or place. It can
either be a written report with many factual details or a narrative story about personal
impressions and experiences.)
You may begin like this...
As I stepped into the land of evergreen forests, I was blown away by the
pristine beauty and ………………………………(continue)

III. Tea From Assam

1. Rajvir did his study before his visit to the tea plantation. Is it good to do one’s research
before the start of a new venture or does it take away from the thrill of discovery?
Elucidate your stance.
Poem 7: The Trees
1. Imagine you are a senior journalist covering this event of the trees moving. Pen down a
120 words’ submission for the weekly newspaper column titled- ‘Change’
Include a brief account of your observation as well as your opinion.
You may begin like this:
CHANGE THIS WEEK
-Sr. correspondent, The U.S. Chronicle
It was a movement to behold! The trees…(continue)

2. Imagine yourself to be the tallest oak among the trees. Write a speech motivating the
other trees to work hard in order to move out of the veranda into the forest.
You may use the cue given below

The Importance of Working Together

Dear fellow trees, I see how charged up you all are to move away from the confines
of…(continue)

3. Imagine that the tallest oak in ‘Trees’ and the hemlock tree in ‘Dust of Snow’ share a
conversation about their speakers (The ‘I’ in the poems).
Write this conversation between the two trees.
You may begin like this:
Oak: Adrienne chose to stay indoors on the significant full moon night, you know.
Hemlock: Hmmm… Robert was out. Out in the snow that day. What do you think
Adrienne
might have been thinking?
Oak: Well…I feel………………………………. Why do you think Robert might have
been out on
a snowy day?
Hemlock……………………………….

4. The poem ‘Trees’ appears to be about trees, environment, deforestation and

afforestation. On a deeper level we discover that Adrienne Rich is expressing her
concerned about women and their emancipation. Elaborate with reference to the poem.

Lesson 6: Mijbil the Otter

1. Peculiar behaviours are a characteristic of Otters. Discuss with respect to “Mijbil the
Otter”.

2. Imagine yourself to be the narrator of “Mijbil the Otter”. A friend of yours is confused
about whether to adopt an otter as a pet or not and has asked for your advice. Based on
the experiences described in the chapter, write a letter to your friend giving your
opinion on the matter.
You may use the prompt given below
XYZ, Camusfearna
 Sandaig Bay, UK
4 December ‘61
Dear Gavin
Trust you and Mij are doing well. I am writing for a special reason that will
surely interest. This is because it concerns the love of your life- otters! I
have been….(continue)…………
Yours affectionately
Kevin

3. The People’s Collective for Endangered Species has invited the narrator of “Mijbil the
Otter” as a guest speaker to address the audience about the importance of protecting
Otters and their natural habitats like lakes and ponds.
As the narrator, pen down a speech detailing your own experience with Mijbil and why
it is important to conserve water bodies for animals like Otters.
You may use the prompt given below

My Experiences with Mijbil

Theodore Roosevelt said, “Wildlife cannot speak, so we must and we will.”
Dear friends, I have had a pet otter named Mijbil as my roommate for
several years now. What I want to share with you today, is how all forms of
wildlife are integral for …………..(continue)………………….

Poem 8: Fog
1. Comment, in detail, on the significance of the closing phrase of the poem- “moves on”.
2. In the poem “Fog”, the poet features the fog as animated. If you had to write a similar
poem for one other natural phenomenon, which animal would you use to convey the
characteristics of that particular phenomena?
Justify, in detail, your choice of animal corresponding to it by bringing out similarities.
3. Would you describe the role of the fog as active or passive? Support your answer with
reference to the poem “Fog”.

Lesson 7: Madam Rides the Bus

1. If you were to advise Valli on the two things she ought to take with her if she were
travelling alone for the first time, what would they be and why?
2. Travelling teaches us many life lessons and enriches us with experiences. You and
your classmate have a discussion on this statement and your love for travel. Write the
dialogue.
You may begin like this...
Friend: I think travelling is one of the best ways to explore not just the world around
you but also helps you introspect about life itself.
You: ................................................
Friend: Travelling enriches us with so many varied experiences.
You: .............................................

3. After reading the story about Valli; you realise that she had such a small desire and
demanded nothing from her mother.
 After reflecting on this, you decide to write a diary entry on how you felt you have
been unreasonable about the demands you have posed to your parents. You also realise
that life is not all about materialistic possessions.
You may begin like this:
15 August 2020, Saturday 9:00 pm
I feel I have learnt a big lesson in life after reading about Valli. I feel
ashamed for the way I have been…………………………………………….

4. Valli was sensitive, but at the same time she was fearless and quite determined. Think
of another character from your textbook, First Flight, who displayed similar character
traits. Compare and contrast the lives of Valli and the other character.

Poem 9: The Tale of Custard the Dragon

1. Belinda shares a post on Instagram with the following hashtags
#Ink#Blink#Mustard#Bravehearts#My family #My world#
She doesn’t mention Custard in her post. As a friend of Belinda, what would be your
advice to her and why?

2. “Blowing one’s trumpet is a well-known idiom.”

Disagree with a friend’s opinion in the context of this idiom.
Friend: It’s important to recount your achievements whenever there’s an opportunity.
People need to know about your qualities, accomplishments and awards. Always
project yourself as superior.
You: Gosh! I disagree. What’s the point blowing one’s own trumpet? You see,
…………………………………………………………………………(continue).

3. Being impressed by Custard’s feat, the young seagull’s sister wrote a letter to Custard
seeking advice on addressing the situation with her young brother. Write Custard’s
response to this letter. Base the advice from his experiences.
You may begin like this:
Dear Ms. Seagull
Thank you for seeking me out. I’m humbled. Based on my limited experiences, I feel…

Lesson 8: The Sermon at Benares

1. What message might the Buddha’s story hold for those who are in positions
of power and privilege?

2. Read the given quote by actor Jim Carrey.

 Can you relate this to the Buddha’s life before and after he attained
enlightenment? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Grief is often seen as a measure of love. Do you think the Buddha’s sermon
undermines a mother’s love? Justify your response

Poem 10: For Anne Gregory

1. Imagine Anne Gregory grows up to be a motivational speaker. As Anne Gregory,
write a short speech on the importance of loving oneself.
You may begin this way:
Dear friends
The importance of believing in oneself can never be overstated. It becomes most
important, therefore, to love oneself. I learnt this, as a young teen, the day a poet
pointed out that……
(continue) ………

2. Evaluate the poem in the context of the given quote.

“If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies, how very different our ideals of
beauty would be.”
3. Write your response as a 21st century teenager (boy or girl), to the idea of being
loved for one’s appearance or the things one represents / possess.
Give a reason for the response.

Lesson 9: The Proposal (play)

1. Do you think Chubukov is a good father? Justify your opinion based on your
reading of the text.
2. Though the play revolves around three people, Russian society emerges as
an important character through the ongoings of the play and the thoughts
and interactions of its characters.
Imagine yourself to be a historian who has been invited to speak about
nineteenth century upper class Russian society.
3. Based on your reading of the play, how might you describe it? Support your
evaluation with instances from the text