Notes of Grade X FIRST FLIGHT - PROSE

1. A Letter to God by G L Fuentes

Introduction:
The story revolves around a poor farmer named Lencho who has immense faith in God.
After his crops are destroyed by a hailstorm, he writes a letter to God asking for help.

Theme:

• Faith and hope in adversity

• Innocence and blind belief
• Human compassion

Message:
It conveys the power of faith and belief, and how goodness exists in human beings who
go out of their way to help others.

Character Analysis:

• Lencho: Simple, hardworking, deeply religious, and full of faith. His innocence
makes him believe that God will directly help him.
• Postmaster: Kind, compassionate, and understanding. Though amused at first, he
helps Lencho by collecting money for him.

2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (Autobiographical excerpt)

Introduction:
An excerpt from Mandela’s autobiography that shares his journey of fighting apartheid
and becoming the first Black President of South Africa.

Theme:

• Struggle for freedom

• Courage and resilience
• Racial equality

Message:
Freedom is essential for every human. Real leaders sacrifice their personal comfort for
the greater good of society.
Character Analysis:

• Nelson Mandela: Brave, determined, visionary leader, who endured hardships for
the freedom of his people.

CBQ:
Struggles teach us many lessons. With reference to the times, you struggled with
mastering a skill or learning a concept, write about the lessons you learnt.
Ans. In the ongoing crisis, I decided to tackle this unpleasant state of being bored
through engaging in purposeful and meaningful activity. My resolution during this hour
increased the ability to make assumptions, form ideas and generally better understand
the texts while we read.

ABQ:
Describe the value of freedom for the human beings and how it is important for the
growth of civilization and humanism as described in the lesson ‘Nelson Mandela: Long
Walk to Freedom’.
Ans. Every living being wants to live free as freedom is a gift of nature. The value of
freedom is better known to that human being who has not tasted it till he gets it. A
person who is chained, kept in bondage and is not allowed to perform his duties freely,
values freedom more than anyone else. For instance, the value of freedom became
more significant to Mandela when he understood the plight of his fellow beings and
circumstances had forced him to be behind the bars most of his life. Think about a bird
or an animal that is kept confined instead of being allowed to move around freely in its
own habitat. Life becomes a hell if we are deprived of freedom. There is no growth of
civilization as it grows only when one has freedom. Similarly, humanism grows in the
atmosphere of freedom.
Notes of Grade X FIRST FLIGHT – POEM

1. Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

Introduction: A short, symbolic poem about how a small moment in nature can uplift
one's mood.
Theme: Optimism, healing power of nature
Message: Even small events can bring about a big positive change in our lives.
Character Analysis:

Poet (Narrator): Reflective, sensitive to nature, finds meaning in simple things.

CBQ:
The poet has succeeded in giving valuable information in a light-hearted manner. What
creates the desired effect? Highlight its importance in present-day life.
Ans. Truly, Frost has used simple language to drive home a very significant message,
that little things sometimes, have a big impact. An easy, uncomplicated language,
coupled with unusual visual imagery and brevity of words create the desired effect. The
poet’s bitterness finds reflection even in the environment around him. The noisy, dark
crow, the poisonous hemlock and the icy snow around – all are essentially depressing
images. However, despite the negativity, when the crow shakes down the dust of snow
onto the poet, it also shakes off some of the poet’s regretful thoughts. Today, when all
of us live in stressful atmospheres, the poem teaches us to gain happiness from little
things.

ABQ:
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.
Ans. I am a crow. I try to make people happy with my cawing, but they consider me bad
luck and often shoo me away. Modernization, instead of changing the perception of
people, has made them more illogical. According to them, everything bad that happens
in their life is because of me. One day, I saw a thief entering a house. So, I gathered all
my friends and attacked the thief. Fortunately, we could save the burglary. But the
residents, instead of thanking us, started blaming us for everything. Our intentions are
always misinterpreted by humans. This makes me very sad. All living species must be
looked at with greater empathy and respect by human beings. After all is it not the
same Creator that has created all of us? Stereotypes must be broken and inclusiveness
imbibed.
2. Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

Introduction: A philosophical poem discussing the possible end of the world through
symbolic elements – fire (desire) and ice (hatred).
Theme: Destructive emotions
Message: Human emotions like desire and hatred can destroy the world.
Character Analysis:

Poet: Thoughtful, contemplative, concerned about human behavior.

CBQ:
Most of your classmates, like Frost, feel that man’s greed and rage of 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 with respect to the poem.
Ans. Good morning teachers and my dear friends! I do not believe in the pessimistic
view of Sir Robert Frost that our desires can take the world near to destruction. I feel
that this fire and ice can be tamed to cultivate a harmonious relationship among
people.
“Necessity is the mother of invention.” A man without desire is no more than an
animal. Human has added comfort to his life by keeping passions and desires alive. I
agree that unchecked aspirations sometimes turn harmful. However, by making strict
rules and staying vigilant, this fire can be kept under control. Fire adds taste to food but
burns the house as well, if left uncontrolled. Until our actions are controlled, we need
not worry about the end of the world.

ABQ:
‘Fire and Ice’ was first published in 1920. Briefly explain how the WWI might have
influenced the theme of the poem.
Ans. The poem is written shortly after the end of the first world war and is greatly
influenced. The war proved it right how men’s technological, economic and intellectual
progress led to self-destruction.

3. A Tiger in the Zoo by Leslie Norris

Introduction: A contrast between a tiger's life in the wild and its confinement in a zoo.
Theme: Freedom vs. captivity
Message: Every creature deserves to live freely in its natural habitat.
Character Analysis:

Tiger: Symbol of suppressed strength, helpless and sad in captivity.

CBQ:
The tiger in the poem is feeling miserable in a concrete cell. Does it not amount to
cruelty? Express your opinion about keeping wild animals in zoos. Is there any lesson
for humans?
Ans. The tiger in the poem is wretched in its cage. It longs for freedom. It may be well
looked after, but the fact of the matter is that unless one is free, one is not alive.
Confinement brings bondage, and bondage is cruelty. One may argue that at least this
way they all will not be killed and become extinct, However, taking away one's freedom
to keep one alive kills the desire to live anyhow. Even humans throughout the world
oppose the chains of slavery and oppression. How are other living creatures any
different? Humans have encroached on their space, and sheltering them in zoos is truly
inhuman. Humans must learn to respect nature, for humans exist only due to nature.

ABQ:
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.
Ans. 15th October, 2025
Thursday, 9:00 p.m.
Dear diary,
I feel so vulnerable and annoyed at my state. I don't know if I can ever be a free denizen
of the forest. I love to eat the fresh meat of a deer or cow after chasing them for hours.
Frozen or stale food is not my cup of tea. Just eating and lying idle makes me fat and
chubby. But I like to flaunt my muscular body. Why do humans interfere in our life and
spoil our natural ecosystem? They should mind their own business.

Tiger