BHARATH VIDYA MANDIR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (CBSE)

CLASS X – ENGLISH - FIRST FLIGHT 7.

GLIMPSES OF INDIA - 2. COORG

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. Coorgis are hospitable by nature. Explain.

Coorgis are a proud race of martial men and beautiful women. They are very hospitable and
entertain their guests by relating stories of bravery of their sons and fathers.

2. Why are the people of Coorg known as descendants of the Arabs?

The theory of the people of Coorg as descendants of the Arabs draws support from the long,
black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus known as kuppia. It
resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

3. Describe the natural beauty of Coorg.

Coorg is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore in Karnataka
state. It is a beautiful region of ‘rolling hills’ and lush green rainforests. It is famous for
coffee, spices and wildlife.

4. Describe the wildlife of Coorg.

A large freshwater fish abounds in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch. Squirrels
and langurs drop partially eaten fruit to enjoy the splash and ripple effect. Elephants enjoy
bathing in the river.

5. The people of Coorg have a tradition of courage and bravery. How has it been
recognised in modern India?

Coorgis are a proud race of martial men and beautiful women. They are very hospitable and
entertain their guests by relating stories of bravery of their sons and fathers. Coorg
soldiers are brave. Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated ones in the Indian army.
Coorgis are the only people who are permitted to carry firearms without a license.

6. What do you know about ‘Bylakuppe’ as mentioned in the lesson, ‘Coorg’?

‘Bylakuppe’ in Coorg has India’s largest Tibetan settlement.

7. Coorg is a tourist’s paradise. Discuss with reference to the extract from ‘Glimpses
of India’.

Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka, situated midway between Mysore and the coastal
town of Mangalore. It is a beautiful region of ‘rolling hills’ and lush green rainforests. It is
famous for coffee, spices, and rain forests. It is also famous for hospitality, valour, wildlife
and adventure sports.

8. What does the writer say about Coorg?

The writer says that Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is known as Kodagu also.
Coorg lies between the coastal town of Mangalore and Mysore. It is a very beautiful place.
The writer says that it must have come from the kingdom of God.

9. What is Coorg famous for? What is the best season to visit Coorg?

Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, evergreen rainforests and spices. Thirty per cent
of its area is covered with the evergreen rainforests. The best season to visit this place is
from September to March. The air is full of coffee flavour.

10. What does the writer say about the people of Coorg?

The writer says that the people of Coorg are independent and brave. They are of Greek or
Arabic descent. According to a story, a part of Alexander’s army did not return and was
settled there. They married amongst the locals. This culture can be seen in the martial
traditions, marriage and religious customs.

11. What does the writer say about the bravery of the Coorgi people?

The writer says that the Coorgi people are brave people. Their tales of bravery are famous.
The Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. The first Chief of the
Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even today, the Kodavus are the only people in
India who are allowed to carry firearms without a license.

Answer in detail:

1. Where is Coorg situated? What is it famous for?

Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is known as Kodagu also. Coorg lies between
the coastal town of Mangalore and Mysore. It is a very beautiful place. The writer says that
it must have come from the kingdom of God. Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations,
evergreen rainforests and spices. Thirty per cent of its area is covered with the evergreen
rainforests. The best season to visit this place is from September to March. The air is full
of coffee flavour.

2. What does the author say about the people of Coorg?

The writer says that the people of Coorg are independent and brave. They are of Greek or
Arabic descent. According to a story, a part of Alexander’s army did not return and was
settled there. They married among the locals. This culture can be seen in the martial
traditions, marriage and religious customs. According to another theory Coorg people
originated from the Arabs. It is evident from the long, black coat worn by the people. It is
like the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds. Coorgi homes have tradition of hospitality.
They are brave people. Their tales of bravery are famous. The Coorg Regiment is one of the
most decorated in the Indian Army. The first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa,
was a Coorgi. Even today, the Kodavus are the only people in India who are allowed to carry
firearms without a license.

3. What does the writer say about the natural beauty of Coorg?
Coorg is situated in Karnataka midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It
looks like a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This is a land
of rolling hills. It is a home of evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.
Evergreen forests cover thirty percent of the Coorg district. The river Kaveri flows through
Coorg. Big elephants are also found here. Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give the
visitors company. The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brings (the visitors) into a panoramic view
of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. It is said that the people searching for the heart and
soul of India visit Coorg.

*****
 BHARATH VIDYA MANDIR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (CBSE)
CLASS X – ENGLISH NOTES - FIRST FLIGHT 8.
MIJBIL THE OTTER

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. Describe the havoc created by Mijbil on the aeroplane when it came out of the
box.
When Maxwell opened the box, Mijbil flashed out and disappeared at high speed down
the aircraft. He caused a great hue and cry in the aircraft. There were squawks and
shrieks across the flight.
2. What were the guesses made by the Londoners about Mijbil?
According to Maxwell, the average Londoner did not recognise an otter. Whosoever saw
Mijbil made different guesses as to what kind of animal it was. They guessed it was a
squirrel, a walrus, a hippo, a beaver, a bear cub, a leopard and a brontosaur.
3. ‘She was the very queen of her kind’. Explain the reason behind admiration for
the air hostess.
Maxwell calls the air hostess "the very queen of her kind" because she was very
sympathetic after listening to Maxwell's story. She understood how he might be feeling
and then gave him permission to take the otter out of the box to keep on his knees.
4. Why was the author not allowed to take a flight of British Airways?
The author was carrying his pet, Mijbil, the otter, along with him. The British Airways
refused to allow Mijbil to be transported in their plane because according to the Airline
rules, pets were not allowed to be transported.
5. Why were Maxwell and his friends going to Basra?
Maxwell wanted to have an otter as a pet. This would have been a new experiment for him
as people usually keep dogs or cats as pets. It would have been a new learning experience
for Maxwell to tame and train the otter. Maxwell and his friends went to Basra to the
Consulate - General (of Iraq) to collect and answer their mail from Europe.
6. Give an example from the text to show that Mijbil is an intelligent animal.
Mijbil loved to play. He had invented many games of his own. One was rolling marbles on
his flat belly; another was keeping a ball on the high end of the suitcase and waiting at
the other end for its arrival.
7. How did Maxwell learn of Mijbil’s love for water?
Mijbil loved to play in the water. Only once did the author lead him to the bathroom.
Next time, he went to the bathroom on his own. He went wild in water, plunged and rolled
in; he shot up and down the bathtub and made enough slosh and splash in it.
8. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?
The otter was of a race previously unknown to science and was at length christened by
zoologists as ‘Maxwell’s otter’. The otter was named by zoologists as Lutrogale
Perspicillata Maxwelli. Hence, it was called 'Maxwell's otter' in short.
9. Mijbil, the otter invented a game. What do you think would be the game that he
invented? (Or) What game did Mijbil invent? (Or) Describe some of the games Mijbil
liked to play.
Mij invented his own game with a ping-pong ball. He used to keep the basilica lid of the
damaged suitcase which when closed, remained at a slope from one end. He used to play in
the water and also liked to jump and gallop the full length of the 30-yard school wall.
10. What is the most common characteristic of an otter? (Or) To which group of
animals do otters belong?
Otters belong to a small group of animals called Mussel lines. They are water-loving
animals and are generally found in marshy areas. They are intelligent, fun-loving and
playful and are harmless beautiful creatures.
11. What routine did Mijbil follow everyday while on the walk in London? (Or) What
were the ‘compulsive habits’ of Mijbil? (Or) How did Mijbil pass his time in London?
Mij on his way home every day used to tug Maxwell to the low wall of a primary school
opposite to his flat. Mij would jump on to it, gallop the full length of its thirty yards and
cause a hopeless distraction to both pupils and staff within the primary school.
12. When did it come to the author’s mind to have an otter? (Or) Why did Maxwell
keep an otter as a pet?
The author’s pet dog had died and hence he was not willing to keep another dog as a pet.
So, he thought of buying an otter and thought Camusfearna, ringed by water would be
suitable for keeping an otter.
13. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when
he did this?
Maxwell was getting late for the flight. There were only ten minutes left for the flight
to take off and the airport was five miles away. Hence, he had to put the otter back into
the box. He felt bad on doing so but he had no other option.
14. How did the otter look?
The otter looked like a small dragon belonging to the Middle Ages. It was covered with
symmetrical pointed scales of mud. One could see between the scales a soft velvet fur
like that of a chocolate-brown mole.
15. How did the otter behave in the beginning?
In the beginning, the otter was neither hostile nor friendly. He was simply aloof and
indifferent. He referred to sleep on the floor as far from the writer’s bed as possible.
16. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits
of school children?
Things that one feels competed to do are ‘compulsive habits’. For example, school
children try to place their feet on the centre of each paving block on the way. They touch
every seventh upright of the iron railings. Or, they pass to the outside of every second
lamp post.
Answer the following questions in 120-150 words:
1. Mijbil did things which demonstrated its personality. Which qualities of the
narrator are shown in his care for Mijbil?
Mijbil was an intelligent, fun-loving and playful otter. It was fond of water. When
Maxwell took it to the bathroom, for half an hour, it went wild with joy in the water,
plunging and rolling in it. Maxwell treated Mijbil like his own son. He took care of him very
well. He gave him lots of toys including marbles, rubber balls, rubber fruits and a terrapin
shell to play with. He also noticed Mijbil’s habits and traits. Maxwell encouraged Mijbil to
do whatever he liked to do. He took him out for exercise every day. When Maxwell saw
him in blood, he was horrified. He took him out of the box; he jumped all over and then
sat on Maxwell’s lap quietly.
2. Why did Maxwell want to have an otter for a pet? How did he get one?
Gavin Maxwell, the author, wanted to own a pet. His pet dog had died recently and he was
feeling too sad to think of keeping a dog as a pet again. So when he travelled to Southern
Iraq, he decided to keep an otter instead of a dog. His friend suggested to Maxwell that
he could get an otter in the Tigris marshes for they were very common there, like
mosquitoes. Moreover, the friend also informed, that otters were often trained by the
Arabs. Maxwell and his friend went to Basra to the Consulate-General to collect their
mail. A few days later, the author received his mail and took it to his bedroom to read.
There, he found two Arabs squatting on the floor with the sack that contained the otter
with a letter from his friend that said, “Here is your otter….”
3. What did Maxwell do to transport Mijbil to England?
After the British Airways refused to take a pet on its flight, the narrator booked a
flight to Paris by another airline. This airline insisted that the pet should be packed into
a box not more than eighteen inches square, to be carried on the floor near his feet.
Maxwell had a box made, and an hour before they started, put Mij into the box so that
he would become accustomed to it and then left for a hurried meal. But when he
returned, he was terrified. There was an appalling silence. Maxwell found blood had
trickled and dried around the air holes of the box. He tore open the box to find Mij
exhausted, and blood splattered, and whimpering and he caught hold of Maxwell’s leg.
However, since he had very little time left to board the flight, Maxwell just put Mij back
into the box, holding down the lid with his hand. On the flight, the stewardess, on hearing
the author’s tale, permitted him to travel with Mij on his knee. After the initial chaos,
Mijbil travelled to London on the author’s knee.
4. Describe the relationship between the otter and Maxwell in your own words.
Maxwell and the otter Mijbil shared a lovely relationship. Maxwell treated Mij like his
own son. He took very good care of him. He gave him many toys including marbles, rubber
balls, rubber fruits and a terrapin shell to play with. He took him to the bathtub to play
in the water knowing the fascination of otters with water. He noticed his habits and
traits. Mijbil hesitated on the first day but then became very friendly. Maxwell
encouraged Mijbil to do whatever he liked to do. He took him out
for exercise every day. When Maxwell saw blood on the box in which Mij was packed, he
was horrified. When Mij came out of the box he jumped all over but then came and sat on
Maxwell’s knees quietly.
5. How did the otter look when the author got it? What name did he give it? How
did the otter enjoy being in the bathroom?
The otter was a small creature like a small dragon. It was covered with mud from head to
tail. Under the mud, it had soft velvet skin. The author named the otter ‘Mijbil’. His race
was unknown to scientists. On the first night, it slept on the floor. The next slipped on
the author’s bed and slept between his knees. Mijbil started taking interest in its
surroundings. When Mijbil was taken to the bathroom he enjoyed his bath. He went wild
with joy in the water of the tub. The author knew that the otters are fond of water. Two
days later, Mijbil escaped from the bedroom. It went to the bathroom. He sat into the
bathtub and turned the tap on. He was happy under the running water.
6. How did the author make arrangements for transporting his otter to London?
It was time for the author to come back from Iraq. He dreaded the prospect of
transporting Mij to England. He knew that the British Airline would not fly animals. So, he
had to book a flight to Paris in another airline and another to London. The airline advised
that Mij should be packed in a box. The author put Mij into the box an hour before he
started for the airport so that Mij would become accustomed to it. Then the author went
for a meal. When he returned there was silence in the box. He noticed blood from the air
holes. He at once opened it. He found Mij troubled and covered with blood. Mij had torn
the inner lining of the box. It was just ten minutes to the flight and the airport was five
miles away. So, the author put it back in the box and hurried to the airport. The car
driver drove very fast.
7. Describe the author’s experience with the otter in the aircraft.
When the author reached the airport, the aircraft was waiting to take off. He rushed in.
He covered the place around his feet with newspaper. He gave the parcel of fish to the
air hostess for the otter. She cooperated with the author and advised him to keep the
pet on his knee. But soon Mij was out of the box. He disappeared very soon. Suddenly,
there was chaos in the plane. There were squawks and shrieks all around. A woman cried,
“A rat, a rat!” The author saw the otter beneath the legs of an Indian. When he tried to
catch the otter, his face got covered in curry. The air hostess assured him that she
would find the otter. The author returned to his seat. After some time, the otter came
to him and sat in his lap.

*****
 BHARATH VIDYA MANDIR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (CBSE)

CLASS X – ENGLISH - FIRST FLIGHT - POEM 7.

THE TREES - NOTES

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. What is the central idea of the poem ‘The Trees’?
The central idea of the poem is the conflict between man and nature. A plant is brought
inside the house when it is a sapling. But as it grows into a tree, it gets suffocated with the
limited space available. So, it departs to feel free. The tree is thus moving out to occupy the
now empty forest, made so by man’s indiscriminate felling of trees. Humans must understand
the negative impact of their actions on nature and mend their ways before it is too late.
2. Where are the trees at present? What do their roots and leaves do?
The trees are in the house. The roots try to free themselves from the cracks of the veranda
floor, and the leaves make efforts to move towards the glass perhaps in search of light. The
small branches become stiff as they try to pull themselves towards the light.
3. Why is the description of the moon different in the beginning and at the end of the
third stanza?
At the beginning of the third stanza, the poet says that one can see the whole moon shining
in the open sky but in the end, the moon seems to be broken like a mirror and its pieces shine
in the crown of the tallest oak tree. The change is caused by the shifting of the trees
outside.
4. Justify the revolt of the trees and state two values which the man should possess to
stop the revolt.
The trees inside the house get suffocated as they grow. They try to free themselves from
the cracks of the veranda floor and the leaves stretch out as if to move towards the glass.
They are justified in their revolt. Men should learn the importance of trees.
5. How does the poetess describe the night? How does she feel?
It is night time. The night is fresh. In the open sky, the full moon is shining. The poetess
feels the smell of leaves and lichen reaching inside the room. Her head is full of whispers.
But she thinks that the next day these whispers would be silent.
6. What is the theme of the poem ‘The Trees’?
The theme of the poem is the disappearance of trees. This poem also brings out the idea of
conflict between man and nature. Man is doing more and more harm to nature. Nature is
getting angry. Man’s existence on this planet is in danger. Thus, it becomes the foremost
duty of every citizen to work for the protection of the environment.
7. Why are the trees described in the first stanza not useful for birds or insects?
The trees described in the first stanza are either decorative plants kept inside a house, or
they are shown only in a painting or picture. Therefore, they are not useful for birds or
insects. Birds cannot sit on their branches. Insects cannot hide in them.
8. How does the poetess describe the growth of the trees inside the houses?
These trees grow in pots and pans. So, their roots feel cramped. These roots try to free
themselves from the cracks of the veranda floor. The leaves need light. So they move
towards the glass. The twigs are stiff and the boughs are like the newly discharged patients
coming out of clinic doors.
9. Why does the poetess use the metaphor of newly discharged patients?
A patient feels depressed in a hospital. As soon as he recovers, he is eager to leave the
hospital. He rushes towards the clinic doors. In the same way, the plants in the pots feel
suffocated. They are deprived of adequate light. So, they stretch themselves towards the
glass door, in the hope of finding the light.
Answer the following questions in 100 - 120 words each:
1. ’Departure is painful’. So is the departure of the trees painful for the poetess.
What will happen after their departure?
Just like the departure of someone close to us is painful, so also is the departure of a tree.
When they are planted as a sapling, they look nice and enhance the beauty of our
surroundings. But as they grow and spread out their branches, they look wild and require
more space for their growth. The roots create cracks in the floor and the leaves stretch out
as if to move towards the glass, perhaps in need of sunlight. The soft twigs become strong
and stiff. So, the trees need to be removed from the house. No longer do the leaves cover
the sky, but the trees breathe and they are welcomed by the wind. The moon resembles a
broken mirror, reflecting off the leaves. The poetess reveals that she will feel lonely after
the trees’ departure.
2. Explain the phrase “the forest that was empty all these days”. After reading the
poem, who do you think needs the forests? Imagine you are a tree in a forest. What
values would you like the humans to learn from the tree? (OR) What message does
Adrienne Rich want to convey through her poem ‘The Trees’?
In her poem ‘The Trees’, the poetess Adrienne Rich subtly drives home the message about
the importance of trees. Without trees, the birds would not get a place to sit, insects would
have no place to hide and the sun would not bury its feet in shadow. As saplings, we enjoy the
beauty of plants as they adorn the surroundings. But slowly the tree spreads its roots, its
branches and leaves and seems to yearn to go outside where it can live and grow without any
restrictions. No more does the tree look attractive indoors. The trees are however welcomed
into nature by strong winds and the moon. The author hereby emphasises that trees need to
be kept alive, but should not be ‘imprisoned’ inside the house as they look more beautiful, and
tend to thrive outdoors that is where trees belong.

*****
 BHARATH VIDYA MANDIR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (CBSE)
CLASS 10 – ENGLISH NOTES - FOOT PRINTS
2. THE THIEF’S STORY
Answer the following questions:

1. Why did Hari Singh not make many friends?

Hari Singh did not have friends as he believed that friends were more trouble than help.
Moreover, he did not want to make anyone curious.

2. Why did Hari Singh decide to come back to Anil?

Hari Singh decided to come back to Anil because he felt that when Anil would come to know
about the theft, he would feel sad, not for the loss of money but for the loss of trust. He
did not want to lose his trust.

3. Why did Hari Singh choose Anil to be his next victim?

Hari Singh was an experienced thief. He found Anil, a wrestler - an easy-going, kind and
simple man - the correct person for his purpose. He found an easy target to win confidence.

4. Why was it difficult for Hari Singh to rob Anil?

It was difficult to rob Anil because he was the most trusted person Hari Singh had ever
met. According to Hari Singh, it’s easy to rob a greedy man because he can afford to be
robbed but it’s difficult to rob a careless man because he doesn’t even notice that he’s been
robbed and that takes all the pleasure out of the work.

5. Why did Hari Singh tell a lie about cooking?

Hari Singh said that he could cook but when he cooked the meal at night, it was so terrible
that Anil gave it to a stray dog and told him to be off. But then Anil patted him and said that
he would teach him to cook.

6. Why was the thief able to steal from Anil easily?

Anil was a person who trusted Hari Singh easily. Also, he seemed to be a slightly careless
person. Thus, his gullibility and trusting nature made it easy for Hari to rob him.

7. Why did Hari Singh feel bad after stealing the money?

Anil had trusted Hari Singh completely and also taught him how to cook. Anil also started
teaching him how to read and write. Thus, when Hari stole money from Anil, conscience
pricked him as he had broken Anil’s trust.

8. What are the different reactions of the people when they are robbed?

According to Hari Singh, different people react differently upon being robbed. The greedy
man displays fear, the rich man shows anger, and the poor man shows acceptance. However, a
trusting man like Anil would be sad due to the loss of trust.

9. Why did Anil decide to pay Hari Singh regularly?

Anil handed Hari Singh fifty-rupee note as payment for his services. He went on to that
since he had started making money, he would pay Hari regularly. However, he knew about
Hari and did not want him to be tempted again for want of money.

10. Describe Hari Singh, the young and successful thief.

Hari Singh was a fifteen-year-old boy who had already gained much expertise in the field of
thievery. He knew how to find prospective victims, and used his intelligence to get close to
them. Even when he was being taught how to read and write, his first thought was how he
could use it to his benefit while stealing.

11. Why did Anil hire Hari Singh?

Anil hired Hari Singh because Hari Singh himself expressed his desire to work for him.
When Anil told him that he could not pay him, Hari Singh asked him if he could feed him. Anil
replied that if he knew how to cook, then he may work for him.

12. How did Hari Singh realise that Anil knew about his theft?

Anil gave him a fifty rupee note in the morning, which was still damp from the night’s rain.
Anil told him that he would start teaching him, how to write full sentences and smiled at him.
This made Hari Singh realise that Anil knew everything.

13. What was-Anil’s job? What did he usually do with the money he earned?

Anil was a writer. He wrote articles for magazines. He had no regular source of income. He
earned by fits and starts. When he earned some money, he would go out to celebrate.

14. What made him come back to Anil?

Anil had been teaching Hari Singh to read and write. He thought that without education, he
would remain only a thief. But with education, he would become a big, clever and respected
man. This made him come back to Anil.

15. What did Anil give him in the morning? In what condition was it?

Anil gave him a fifty rupee note in the morning, which was still damp from the night's rain.
He told Hari that he had made some money and from then onwards he would be able to pay
Hari regularly.

16. How did the thief know that Anil had forgiven him?

Anil did not express in any way that he knew about the stealing. Moreover, he promised to
pay him regularly. He also promised to continue with his teaching him full sentences.

17. Why did the thief smile without any effort towards the end of the story?

The thief was under tension that his master would be angry with him for stealing the money.
But Anil did not express any anger. He said that he would pay him regularly and continue
teaching him full sentences. This made him tension-free and he smiled without any effort.

18. Why according to Hari, is it difficult to rob a careless man?

A careless man does not have much anxiety about the money. If he would have stolen the
money of a rich person, the person would become angry; similarly, a greedy man would show
fear. Anil was careless and would only loose his faith, if Hari stole his money. Hari thinks
that it is difficult to rob a careless man. Sometimes he does not even notice that he has
been robbed. This takes out the joy of robbing him.

19. Why did Hari Singh think of doing some real work?

By ‘real work’, Hari Singh means stealing. He wants to steal Anil’s money because he has not
stolen anything for a long time. Secondly, Anil is a careless man. If Hari Singh did not steal
his money, he would waste it on useless things.

20. What made him think that he could live like an oil-rich Arab for some time?

Hari Singh was a poor boy. He stole Anil’s bundle of notes. It was a sum of 600 rupees. Hari
Singh thought that he could live in luxury like an oil-rich Arab for some time on that stolen
money.

21. Why should he find friends to be more of trouble than help?

Hari Singh believed that friends were more trouble than help. Hari Singh was a very poor
boy. Whoever he knew were also poor like him. So, he thought that friends would be
troublesome. On the other hand, he was a thief and conman who always lived alone and took
on a new name every month to escape from the police and his former employers.
22. Why did he feel nervous about going back to Anil’s room?
Hari Singh decided to go back to Anil and replace the stolen money under the mattress. But
he felt nervous about going there. He thought that it was much easier to steal something
than to return it undetected.
23. How was Hari Singh’s ‘appealing smile’ at the end different from similar smiles of
his on earlier occasions?
Hari’s ‘appealing smile’ in the story was all part of his pretense. It was full of flattery. He
wanted to target Anil and to prove that he is a trustworthy person. He showed his best smile
to Anil every time. It was all part of his plan until the day he has a change of heart. When he
realised that Anil forgave him even after knowing that Hari tried to rob him, Hari felt
genuinely happy. But in the end, his smile was real. It was natural and appealing. That is why
it was different from his earlier similar smiles.
24. Who is ‘I’ in this story? Why did he change his name every month?
In this story ‘I’ is a boy thief of 15 years. He often changed his name every month to avoid
being caught by the police and his former employers. This time he tells that his name is Hari
Singh.
25. Why did Hari Singh smile in his most appealing way?
Hari Singh cooked food for Anil. He did not know anything about cooking. Anil could not eat
it. He threw it to a stray dog. He asked the boy to go away from his house. But the boy did
not want to leave him. So, he smiled in his most appealing way.

26. Why was the thief grateful to Anil?

The thief was grateful to Anil because he gave him a job and promised to teach him to write
his name. The thief knew that once he learns to read and write properly, there would be
nothing so difficult to achieve.
27. Why did he want to become an educated man?
He was an uneducated person. He made his living by stealing and cheating others. He thought
if he were educated, there would be no limit to what he would achieve.
Answer the following questions in detail:
1. Anil plays a major role in the transformation of Hari Singh. Comment on the
statement by highlighting the values possessed by Anil which touched Hari’s heart and
made him return to his honest ways of earning his livelihood. Write in about 100-120
words.

Anil was a struggling writer who befriended Hari Singh. Hari Singh was an experienced, 15-
year-old thief. He found Anil an easy target to steal. Anil offered him to stay with him and
to teach how to read and write. Gradually, Anil develops trust in Hari Singh. But Hari Singh
was waiting for the right opportunity to do what he was best at. After stealing money, he
tried to go away forever but some inner voice stopped him from doing so. He returned to Anil
because he wanted to live a life of respect. Anil did not show that he knew the incident and
accepted Hari with open hands. Thus, a well-intentioned person, Anil, changed Hari Singh and
brought him on the right path. The story shows that trust and spirit to forgive someone can
bring big changes in someone’s life.

2. Hari Singh didn’t confess that he robbed Anil. Did he lack the courage to do so or
he really wanted to maintain his relationship with Anil at any cost? Explain the values
Hari needed to imbibe in about 100-120 words.

Hari Singh was a teenager, of 15. He was good at stealing. He chose Anil to be his next
target as he was a struggling author and a simple person. Hari Singh started living with Anil
who in turn, started teaching him how to read and write. Hari Singh, one day got the
opportunity to steal Anil’s money. He left with the money and decided to go away forever;
but his inner voice stopped him. He returned and kept the money in its place. Next morning,
he started with his routine work and didn’t tell anything about the incident to Anil. He was a
teenager and lacked the courage to face Anil with his truth. He did not want to lose Anil’s
trust. He wanted to maintain the relationship with Anil, wanted to get an education and
become a respected man. So, he hid the incident from Anil.

3. Draw a character-sketch of Anil. (Or) Who was Anil? How did he treat Hari Singh
and how did it influence Hari’s life?

Anil was a young man of 25 years. He was a tall and lean fellow. He looked easy-going and
kind. A small boy met him. The boy wanted to rob him. He found him fit for his purpose. The
boy told him that he wanted to do a job for him. He said that he could cook food. Anil gave
him a job. The food cooked by the boy was terrible. He told the boy to run away but later he
taught him to cook the food and to learn reading and writing. Anil earned money by fits and
starts. He wrote articles for magazines. One day he earned 600 rupees. In the night, the
thief, the boy, stole the money and ran out in the rain. Later, his heart changed and he
decided to put the money back under the mattress. Anil discovered all this. But he was so
kind-hearted that he said nothing to the boy. Instead, he promised to pay him regularly.

*****
 BHARATH VIDYA MANDIR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (CBSE)
CLASS X – ENGLISH NOTES - FIRST FLIGHT
3.2 BLACK AEROPLANE
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:
1. What happened when the author turned the aeroplane twelve degrees west towards
England?

When the narrator turned the aeroplane 12 degrees West towards England, he saw huge
storm clouds which looked like black mountains standing in front of him. He knew he could not
fly up and over them and he did not have enough fuel to fly around them to the north or
South so he took the plane inside the cloud.

2. Explain the statement: ‘I was very happy to go behind the strange aeroplane like an
obedient child.

The pilot came across huge storm clouds. He could neither go above them nor go around them
due to lack of fuel. Then, he saw a black plane without lights on wings, flying near his plane.
Its pilot waved and signalled him to follow him. The author did not have much choice but to
follow him.

3. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the pilot of the old Dakota take it?

The risk is going through the storm in the narrator’s old Dakota aeroplane. He flew through
as he did not have fuel to fly around them, and couldn’t fly over them. Also, he wanted to get
home for a big English breakfast.

4. Why did the pilot think of going back to Paris?

The pilot came across huge storm clouds that seemed to him like black mountains. He could
neither go above them nor go around them due to lack of fuel. That was when he thought of
returning to Paris.

5. Which two options did the pilot of the Dakota plane have when he encountered the
storm clouds on his way? What did he decide to do? Why?

The two options he had were: either to go back to Paris or to go through the storm clouds.
He decided to go through the storm clouds because he wanted to reach home and spend the
holiday with his family.

6. Why could the woman in the control room not help the pilot of Dakota?

When the pilot of the Dakota plane asked the woman in the control centre about the black
aeroplane and its pilot, she could not help him because she had seen no other plane flying
that night on the radar.

7. Describe the black clouds from the point of view of the pilot.

The writer was going from France to England. He was flying his Dakota aeroplane. When he
had gone 150 kilometres from France, he saw storm clouds. They were huge. They looked like
black mountains standing in front of him across the sky.
8. Recount the experience of the pilot of the Dakota inside the black clouds.

The pilot found that everything was black inside the clouds. It was impossible to see
anything outside the aero plane. The old aeroplane rolled and jumped in the air. The compass
and other instruments stopped working. Suddenly his radio also went dead.

9. How did the black aeroplane rescue the first pilot?

The pilot of the black aeroplane waved his hand. He gestured the first pilot to follow him.
The writer followed him. He followed the black plane for half an hour.

Suddenly, his plane was out of the clouds. He could see the lights of the airport and landed
his aeroplane. Thus, the black aeroplane rescued the first pilot.

10. Was the pilot of the Dakota able to meet the pilot of the black?

No, he was not able to meet the pilot of the black aeroplane. When he was going to land his
plane, he looked behind him. But the black plane was not to be seen. There was nothing found
in the sky. The woman at the control centre told him that no other planes were flying on that
stormy night.

11. Why did the writer feel frightened once again?

The pilot of the black plane waved to the writer to follow him. The writer flew his plane
behind him for half an hour. He found that there was fuel in his aeroplane only for five or
ten minutes more. So, he felt frightened once again.

Answer the following questions in 100-150 words:

1. The narrator made every possible endeavour to save himself. He did not lose hope in
direct situations. What values helped him endure the critical situation bravely? Discuss
in 100-150 words.

(OR)

The narrator knew that he could not fly up due to storm and lack of fuel but still, he
continued. What kind of person was he? Was it not in his nature to accept defeat?
Discuss the values one should possess to accept failures to be able to move ahead in
life in 100-150 words.

The author’s plane did not have enough fuel. He knew that because of the paucity of fuel, he
could not fly up and over the clouds nor could he fly around them to the north or south. But
then he decided to take the risk to enter his plane in the clouds because he wanted to go
home and wanted to join his family at breakfast. This shows that he was a family-loving
person. He was courageous as he knew that it would be risky to enter the clouds, but he did
so in order to save his fuel.

2. “Everything was going well. It was an easy flight.” What went wrong suddenly? (OR)
Describe the flight of the Dakota aeroplane until it landed safely at the airport.

The flight of old Dakota started in Paris and headed towards England. It was an easy flight,
the sky was clear and the weather was fine. When it reached 150 km away from Paris, it
suddenly confronted huge black storm clouds. He had limited fuel only to take him to
England. He could go back to Paris but he decided to take the risk and go through the storm
clouds because he wanted to spend the holiday with his family.

In the storm clouds, it was pitch day. His compass, radio and some other instruments
stopped working. He could not contact Paris control room to know the direction. Suddenly he
saw a black aeroplane. Its pilot guided and brought him safely out of storm clouds. He saw
the runway and landed at the airport.

3. Describe the flight of the pilot before he encountered dark clouds. (OR) Describe
the flight of the Dakota aeroplane until it landed safely at the airport.

The writer of this story is a pilot. One night he was flying his old Dakota aeroplane over
France. It was a starry night. He was going to England. He hoped to spend his holiday with his
family. It was an easy journey and he was in a joyful mood. He looked at his watch. It was one
thirty in the morning. Through his wireless, he contacted the Paris Control. They told him to
turn twelve degrees west. He did as he was advised to do. He was 150 kilometres from Paris.
Suddenly the writer saw huge black clouds before him. It was not possible to fly up and over
the clouds. He

had not much fuel with him. So, it was not possible to fly around the big mountains of clouds
to the right or left. He decided to take the risk and flew his aeroplane straight into the
clouds.

4. How was the writer rescued?

The writer flew his aeroplane into the big dark clouds. As he entered the clouds, everything
suddenly went black. He found that his compass had ceased to work. He tried to contact the
Paris Control for directions. But he was shocked to find that his radio had also stopped
working. Suddenly, the writer saw a black aeroplane near him. He could also see the pilot in it.
The pilot waved the writer to follow him. He followed the black aeroplane like an obedient
child. Now it was half an hour since the writer had been following the black aeroplane. He
was worried because the fuel in his plane could last only five or ten minutes. But just then
the black aeroplane started to go down and the writer followed it. Suddenly the writer was
out of the clouds. He could see the lights of the runway of the airport. The writer landed his
Dakota aeroplane. Thus, he was rescued.

*****