CBSE Class 10 First Flight: Chapter 3 - Two Stories about Flying NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'Two Stories about Flying', from the CBSE Class 10 First Flight textbook, delves into the innate challenges and triumphs associated with learning new skills, particularly flight for a young seagull. The NCERT Solutions provided here focus on the first story, 'His First Flight'. Students will explore the psychological barriers of fear and timidity, the powerful instincts of hunger, and the role of parental encouragement and threats in overcoming these obstacles. The solutions break down the seagull's journey from apprehension to courageous action, highlighting the universal themes of facing fears and the necessity of taking risks to achieve growth. These solutions are designed to help students understand the narrative's deeper meanings and prepare effectively for their exams by clarifying the text's key events and character motivations.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	First Flight
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 3

Chapter summary

Chapter 3 of the First Flight textbook, titled 'Two Stories about Flying', presents two narratives. This section focuses on the first story, 'His First Flight'. The NCERT Solutions cover the 'Thinking about the Text' questions, exploring the young seagull's fear of flying, the reasons behind his hesitation, and the eventual compulsion to fly due to hunger. It also touches upon parental encouragement and the natural instincts involved in learning to fly, drawing parallels with human experiences.

Learning outcomes

Understand the reasons behind the young seagull's fear of flying.
Analyze the role of hunger and parental pressure in overcoming fear.
Compare the challenges faced by young birds learning to fly with human experiences of learning new skills.
Identify the themes of courage, instinct, and perseverance in the story.
Explain the significance of the seagull's first flight in the context of growth and development.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Fear of flying
Parental encouragement
Instinct vs. fear
Overcoming challenges
Hunger as motivation
Learning new skills
Bird behavior
Human parallels
Courage and timidity
Survival instincts

Important topics

The young seagull's fear and its causes
The role of hunger in motivating action
Parental strategies for encouragement
The theme of overcoming fear
Comparison with human learning experiences

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do all young birds are afraid to make their first flight or are some birds more timid than the others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first step?

Solution: The young seagull was terrified of flying because he had a deep-seated fear that his wings were not strong enough to carry his weight and would fail him mid-air. This fear is quite natural for many young birds as they face the unknown and the potential for falling. While some birds might be naturally more timid or cautious than others, the instinct to fly is strong. This hesitation is relatable to human experiences; for instance, a human baby often shows apprehension and fear when attempting to take its very first steps, needing encouragement and support to overcome the challenge.

Question 2

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

Solution: The phrase "The sight of the food maddened him" suggests that the seagull's hunger had reached an extreme level, overriding his fear. His intense craving for food made him desperate and impulsive. What ultimately compelled the young seagull to fly was a combination of his overwhelming hunger and the tantalizing sight of a fish held in his mother's beak. After enduring 24 hours without food, the instinct to survive and the immediate availability of sustenance, even if it required a risky flight, pushed him to finally spread his wings and take off.

Question 3

"They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly." Why did the seagull's father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly?

Solution: The seagull's father and mother threatened and cajoled him to fly because learning to fly is an essential and natural skill for a bird's survival. They knew that if he didn't learn to fly, he would be left behind, unable to find food or escape danger. His siblings had already learned to fly the previous day, leaving him alone and hungry on the ledge. Their actions, a mix of encouragement and stern warnings (like threatening to let him starve), were aimed at pushing him past his fear and ensuring he acquired the vital ability to fly, which was necessary for his independence and well-being.

Question 4

Have you ever 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.

Solution: Yes, it is a common human experience to feel scared when trying something new, and parents often play a crucial role in encouraging their children to overcome these fears. For example, when I was younger, I was very afraid of riding a bicycle, convinced I would fall and hurt myself. My parents, however, persistently encouraged me. My father took me to an open ground and helped me balance the cycle. Although I stumbled initially, his continuous support and belief in me gave me the confidence to keep trying. After several attempts and with his help, I finally managed to ride a full circle, gradually gaining confidence and overcoming my fear.

Question 5

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 the possibility of failure?

Solution: While flying might appear natural for a bird, the initial attempt is fraught with uncertainty and fear, making success not a foregone conclusion. In personal experiences like learning to cycle, success is certainly not guaranteed. The crucial element is the willingness to try, despite the inherent possibility of failure. The effort, persistence, and courage to face the challenge are more important than an assured outcome. Overcoming the fear and the process of learning itself builds confidence and resilience, which are valuable regardless of whether the first attempt is successful.

Common mistakes

Assuming fear of flying is unique to the seagull, rather than a common instinct.
Underestimating the role of hunger as a primary motivator.
Not relating the bird's experience to broader themes of overcoming personal challenges.
Focusing only on the literal act of flying without considering the emotional and psychological aspects.

Revision tips

Reread the story 'His First Flight' to recall the sequence of events.
Focus on the seagull's emotions: fear, hunger, and eventual exhilaration.
Consider the parents' actions and their effectiveness in motivating the young bird.
Think about how the story's themes apply to your own life experiences of overcoming fear.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason the young seagull was afraid to fly?

Q2. What sight "maddened" the young seagull?

Q3. Why did the seagull's parents threaten and cajole him?

Q4. The story suggests that learning a new skill often involves:

Q5. How does the story relate to human experiences?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 3 of CBSE Class 10 First Flight about?

Chapter 3, 'Two Stories about Flying', includes the story 'His First Flight', which explores a young seagull's struggle with fear and his eventual success in learning to fly.

Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?

The young seagull was afraid because he believed his wings were not strong enough to support him in the air, a common fear of the unknown and potential failure.

What compelled the seagull to finally fly?

The seagull's intense hunger, coupled with the sight of his mother holding a fish, ultimately compelled him to overcome his fear and attempt flight.

How did the parents try to make the seagull fly?

His parents used a combination of threats (like letting him starve) and cajoling (encouraging words) to push him towards learning the essential skill of flying.

Does the story suggest that all young birds are afraid to fly?

The story implies that while fear might be natural, the degree of timidity can vary among young birds, and overcoming it is a crucial part of their development.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to the text-based questions, helping students understand the story's themes, character motivations, and key events for better exam preparation.

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