TWO STORIES ABOUT FLYING :

His First Flight

Critical Analysis

The story “His First Flight” by Liam O‟Flaherty is an inspiring tale of courage and overcoming
fear. It shows how even natural instincts like flying can be difficult without self-confidence. The
young seagull‟s fear, hunger, and desperation drive him to take his first flight. His journey from
fear to freedom symbolises growth. The story teaches that sometimes we need a push to unlock
our true potential.

Question-Answer Section:

1. 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 steps?

Answer:

The young seagull was afraid to fly because he thought his wings wouldn‟t support him and he
would fall into the deep sea. Yes, not all birds are equally brave—some may be more scared. Just
like birds, human babies also take time to walk and fall many times before they learn. Taking the
first step—whether flying or walking—is always scary but also important.

2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young
seagull to finally fly?

Answer:

The line shows how hungry the seagull was. He had not eaten for a whole day. When he saw his
mother tearing fish, his hunger made him desperate. His mother used food as a trick to encourage
him. When she didn‟t come closer, he jumped toward the fish and fell off the ledge. This
moment of hunger and desire for food finally made him fly.

3. “They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.” Why did the seagull‟s father and mother
threaten him and cajole him to fly?

Answer:

The seagull‟s parents knew he needed to fly to survive. They didn‟t want him to become weak or
lazy. So, they first threatened to let him starve and then encouraged him by calling out and
showing him how the others could fly. It was their way of teaching him an important life skill.
They wanted him to trust himself and take that first flight.
THE BLACK AEROPLANE

“The Black Aeroplane” by Frederick Forsyth is a thrilling mystery story about a pilot's strange
and unforgettable experience. As he flies into a dangerous storm, he loses all contact and
navigation tools. Just when he feels completely lost, a mysterious black aeroplane appears and
guides him safely to a runway. However, after landing, he learns no other plane was flying that
night. The story leaves readers wondering whether the helper was real or a miracle.

Question-Answer Section:

1. “I‟ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?

Answer:

The risk was flying straight into a dangerous storm instead of turning back to Paris. The narrator
knew the storm could be deadly, especially with limited fuel and no way to fly around it.
However, he was tired and wanted to reach home quickly. He was dreaming of a warm English
breakfast and seeing his family. So, despite the danger, he took the risk and flew into the storm.

2. Describe the narrator‟s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.

Answer:

As the narrator entered the storm, everything turned black. He could not see anything outside.
His compass and other instruments stopped working, and the radio went dead. The plane jumped
and twisted wildly in the air. He was scared and lost, flying with no sense of direction. It was a
frightening and confusing experience until a mysterious black aeroplane appeared to guide him.

3. Why does the narrator say, “I landed and was not sorry to walk away from the old Dakota…”?

Answer:

The narrator says this because he had just survived a very dangerous and terrifying experience.
His aeroplane had no working instruments, and he had almost run out of fuel. He was lost in a
storm and could have crashed. So when he finally landed safely, he felt relieved and thankful. He
was happy to leave the aeroplane after such a scary journey.
4. What made the woman in the control centre look at the narrator strangely?

Answer:

The narrator asked the woman about the other pilot who had helped him during the storm. But
she looked surprised and confused because, according to the radar, there was no other plane
flying that night. She said his was the only plane in the sky. This strange fact shocked both the
narrator and the readers and added mystery to the story.

5. Who do you think helped the narrator to reach safely? Discuss this among yourselves and give
reasons for your answer:

I think the black aeroplane was not real. It may have been a guardian angel or a miracle. The way
it appeared suddenly, flew without lights, and disappeared after the landing seems magical. It
helped the narrator when no one else could. Another view could be that the pilot imagined it
because of fear and stress. Still, the help felt real and saved his life, which makes the mystery
more interesting.

FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK

Critical Analysis:

Anne Frank, a 13-year-old Jewish girl, begins her diary as a means of expression and
companionship during a time when she feels emotionally alone. Though she has family and
acquaintances, she misses having a true friend. She calls her diary Kitty and treats it as someone
she can confide in. The passage includes her reflections on school life, especially her humorous
experiences with her math teacher Mr. Keesing, who punishes her for talking too much by giving
her essay topics like “A Chatterbox” and “Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox.”
Anne cleverly turns these into witty responses, impressing Mr. Keesing, who eventually stops
punishing her and starts joking with the class.

1. Was Anne right when she said that the world would not be interested in the musings of a
thirteen-year-old girl?

Anne underestimated the power of her words. Her diary, filled with honesty and insight, later
touched millions. She captured human emotions in the darkest times. So, no—she was not right.
The world found meaning, comfort, and truth in her reflections. Her thoughts transcended age.

2. Compare Anne‟s diary with the „Before You Read‟ entries. What language was it originally
written in? How is Anne‟s diary different?

Anne's diary, originally in Dutch, carries emotion, depth, and reflection that set it apart. While
the sample entries in 'Before You Read' are factual, Anne‟s writing reveals her soul. She writes
not to record events but to understand herself and the world. Her words feel alive, intimate, and
enduring.

3. Why does Anne give a sketch about her family? Does she treat „Kitty‟ as an insider or
outsider?

Anne gives a family sketch to help readers or „Kitty‟ understand her life context. She treats Kitty
as an insider, not a diary but a close, trusted friend. Anne confides in Kitty with warmth and
honesty, showing her deep need for emotional connection and someone who truly listens.

4. How does Anne feel about her father, grandmother, Mrs. Kuperus, and Mr. Keesing? What do
these feelings tell us about her?

Anne loves and respects her father deeply, misses her grandmother fondly, and feels emotionally
close to Mrs. Kuperus. Her views on Mr. Keesing evolve from irritation to humor. These feelings
show her emotional sensitivity, strong attachments, and thoughtful nature. Anne valued
relationships and remembered kindness warmly.

5. What does Anne write in her first essay?

Anne writes an essay titled „A Chatterbox‟, explaining why she talks so much. She humorously
justifies her talkative nature, saying talking is a student‟s trait and even necessary. Her wit and
creativity shine. Though meant as punishment, the essay becomes a charming example of her
intelligence and expressive style.

6. Anne says teachers are most unpredictable. Is Mr. Keesing unpredictable? How?

Yes, Mr. Keesing is unpredictable. At first, he scolds Anne and punishes her with essays. But
later, he appreciates her creativity and even laughs at her humorous poems. His change from
stern to amused shows that even strict adults can be flexible and human. Anne observes this
keenly.

7. What do these statements tell you about Anne Frank as a person?

(i) She reflects deeply and blames herself, showing maturity.

(ii) She wants connection, treating her diary as a true friend.

(iii) She uses humour to describe tough moments, showing resilience.

(iv) She thinks freely, critiques others, and accepts unpredictability in life.

Altogether, these show Anne as introspective, witty, honest, and sensitive.

A QUESTION OF TRUST
Critical Analysis

Victor Canning‟s story subtly explores themes of irony, deception, and moral ambiguity. The
protagonist, Horace Danby, is a respectable man with a secret life as a thief who prides himself
on his careful planning. However, he is deceived by a woman who outsmarts him with charm
and confidence, highlighting that even the clever can be fooled. The story cleverly plays with the
idea of trust—Horace trusts the woman without verifying her identity, leading to his downfall.
The title itself is ironic, as trust becomes the very reason he is caught. The story teaches that
crime, however small, never pays.

1. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not who she claimed to
be? If so, when and how?

Yes, there are a few hints before the ending that suggest she might be lying:

She enters the house suddenly, even though Horace thought it was empty.

She‟s calm and confident around a burglar.

She asks Horace to break open her own safe and says she "forgot the numbers" — an odd thing
for a wealthy woman to forget.

She tells Horace not to worry about damaging the safe — a very casual reaction.

These subtle clues hint she isn‟t the real lady of the house.

2. What are the subtle ways in which the lady deceives Horace? Why doesn‟t he suspect
anything?

She deceives him cleverly by:

Dressing like the owner‟s wife, behaving confidently and warmly.

Using polite and persuasive language, even joking with Horace.
Making up a convincing story about needing her jewels for a party.
Taking advantage of Horace‟s desire to avoid trouble and his weakness for kind women.

Horace doesn’t suspect her because:

He‟s overconfident in his plan.

He‟s emotionally softened by her charm and beauty.
He believes her story without questioning it, since he‟s caught red-handed and desperate.
3. “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest.” Why is this apt? Can
he be called a typical thief?

This description fits well because:

He appears to be a decent man with a respectable job (locksmith), avoids violence, and steals
only once a year.
He steals only to buy books, not for greed or luxury.
He‟s gentle, polite, and careful — very unlike a typical, hardened criminal.
So, while he is a thief, he cannot be considered typical. His crimes are rare, non-violent, and
driven by personal passion, not selfish gain.

4. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and
why?

His mistake was:

Trusting a stranger too easily without verifying her identity.

Removing his gloves, leaving fingerprints all over the room.
Allowing emotions and panic to override his usual careful approach.

He faltered because he was:

Desperate to avoid being caught.

Tricked by the lady‟s charm and confidence.
Overconfident that his plan was perfect and forgot to stay cautious.