FIRST FLIGHT /LESSONS

SR. NAME OF
NO. LESSON THEME/ INTRODUCTION CHARACTERS
1 A Letter * Lencho, a poo
God ‘A Letter to God’ is a story of extreme faith in God. A natural calamity leaves Lencho, a hard-working hardworking farmer,
— By G.L. farmer, in distress. The farmer writes a letter to God asking him to send money. The chapter concludes in a with abundant faith
Fuentes very ironic situation. * postmaster, clerks
2 Nelson * Nelson Mandela
Mandela : The chapter is an extract from Mandela’s autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom’. It provides us a glimpse of Was the first Black
Long Walk the early life of Nelson Mandela, his education, thirty years in prison and the pains he had suffered in his President to be
To Freedom young age. It also recounts his fight for the freedom of his own people who were tortured by the whites.He elected after the
— By Nelson believed, freedom encompasses from hunger, poverty & homelessness. He also believed, Oppressor should be country’s first
Rolihlahla free from hatred, prejudice and & narrow -mindedness democratic elections .
Mandela
3 Two Stories * Young seagull: a
About A) This imaginary story conveys the message that one learns by taking courage and not by sitting idle. A chief character, afraid
Flying young seagull is fed lovingly by his parents. But when the time comes for him to fly, he feels himself afraid. of flying over the sea
— By Liam At last, his mother hits upon a plan by persuading him with food in her beak. And the seagull finally learns * Brother and Sister:
O’ Flaherty how to fly. * Mother& Father
a) His First
Flight B) This is a mysterious story. The writer was flying his Dakota aeroplane. Suddenly, he was caught in a big * The Narrator
cloud and his compass, radio and other instruments failed. There was not much fuel in his plane. Suddenly The Pilot in the black
b) Black he saw a black aeroplane near him. The pilot in that plane guided him. As a result he was able to land safely. APlane.
Aeroplane But he was greatly surprised when the woman at the control centre told him that there had been no other * The Woman in
plane except the writer’s Dakota on the sky that night. control Room
4 From The This is a story of a young girl named Anne Frank. The story is based on her diary. Anne is a Jewish girl who Anne Frank
Diary of has to go into hiding during World War to avoid the Nazis. She shares her experiences in the story when she Kitty,MrsKeesing,
Anne frank is depressed. The chapter is an excerpt from the ‘Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank. Anne’s Classmates
5 The The Hundred Dresses-I, II is a story based on the true experiences of the author about a girl who is teased by Wanda Petronski
Hundred her classmates because she is different. Wanda Petronski, a girl who comes from the poor part of the town, is (Chief character)
Dresses-I, II the only student in her class with a ‘funny’ Polish name. A drawing contest turns tables for Wanda her Peggy
By El Bsor exquisite exhibition of dresses leaves all spellbound at her talent. The story is told from the perspective of one Maddie
Ester of Wanda’s classmates, Maddie, who is the best friend of the main player in the daily taunting and teasing. Miss Mason
6 Glimpses of 1) ‘A Baker from Goa’ is a pen portrait of a traditional Goan village baker who still has an important place in * A Baker,
India his society. The narrator is travelling through the memory lane thinking about the loaves of bread a baker
By El Bsor delivered every morning. It relates how the elders think about the Old Portuguese days.
Ester * Coorgi/ Kodavu,
1) ‘A Baker 2) ‘Coorg is a coffee producing area in Karnataka State of India. It is situated midway between Mysore and First Field Marshal,
from Goa’ the coastal town of Mangalore. This land is famous for its rainforests and spices. The writer seems to be Gen KM Cariappa
fascinated by the beautyof the place and says that it must have come from the Kingdom of God. It is the Alexander And the
2) ‘Coorg smallest district of Karnataka. Army

3) ‘Tea From 3) ‘Tea From Assam’This is a very short description of Assam, a Northern-Eastern State in India. This state * Rajvir, School boy in
Delhi
Assam’ is famous for its tea plantations. In this extract Pranjol, a youngster from Assam is Rajvir’s classmate at a * Pranjol, classmate
school in Delhi. Pranjol’s father is a manager of a tea-garden in upper Assam and Pranjol has invited Rajvir * MrBarua, Manager of
to visit hishome during the summer vacation. Legend about discovery of tea and Chinese emperor. Tea Estate
7 Gavin Maxwell lived in a cottage in Camusfearna, in the West Highlands in Scotland. He was fond of *Gavin Maxwell,
Mijbil, The keeping pets. After the death of his pet dog Jennie, he was too sad to think of a dog again. The author was in Author
Otter Basra city of Iraq on a visit. There, one of his friends presented him an otter. He took his otter to England Mijbil the Otter
where he had a flat of his own. He had some interesting experiences during his air journey from Basra to Author’s friend
Paris and London.
8 Madam *Valli/ammai:8 Yrs girl
Rides the This is a sensitive story of an eight year old girl, Valli’s first bus journey into the world outside her village. *Bus Conductor
Bus At a very tender age, she tries to understand the mystery of life and death in her own terms. * Mother, the old
-By man &lady&aunt
Vallikannan
9 The Sermon ‘The Sermon at Benares’ is a chapter written by Betty Renshaw. The chapter covers the journey of Gautam * Guatama Buddha
at Benares Buddha from princehood to his saintly life. After seeing the suffering of the world, he decided to give up all (Wisdom, Bodhi tree)
— By Betty worldly pleasures and sought enlightenment. He finally attained salvation under a tree at Bodhgaya. * KisaGoutami,
Renshaw Mother
10 The ‘The Proposal’ (originally titled ‘A Marriage Proposal) is a one-act play, a farce by Anton Chekhov. The play Ivan V Lomov, Young
Proposal highlights the tendency of wealthy families seeking ties with other wealthy families to increase their estates Man
Natalya Stepanobna, girl
— By Anton by encouraging marriages that make good economic sense. StepanChubukov, father
Chekov
 FIRST FLIGHT /POETRY
SR. NAME OF Figures of Speech/
NO. POEM THEME/ GIST/ CENTRAL IDEA
1 Dust of 1) ‘Dust of Snow’ by Robert Frost is a brief poem but it conveys the poet’s message Dust of Snow reps- Symbol of
Snow coherently. The poem shows how human judgement on certain issues can be misleading. Joy and energy
The poet depicts the crow and the hemlock tree as reasons for his changed mood and Crow & Hemlock= sorrow &
Fire and Ice increased optimism. depression
— By Robert 2) This short poem outlines the familiar question about the fate of the world, wondering if Fire= desire, greed, lust
Frost it is more likely to be destroyed by fire or ice. People are on both sides of the debate. Ice= Hatred. Both=(End of world)
2 A Tiger in The poem gives a sharp contrast of a tiger. The poem provides a contrast in the mood and Plight of caged Tiger: in the zoo
The Zoo environment of a tiger, when he is in the zoo and when he is in the forest, when it is in its and when he is in the forest
— By Leslie natural habitat and when it is imprisoned.
Norris
3 How to Tell The poem revolves around the dangerous ways to identify wild animals. The poet tries to Asian Lion, The Benglal Tiger,
Wild distinguish one animal from the other in a humorous way. The poem is, thus, very The Leapard, The Bear, The
Animals educative and informative which tells us about various features of wild animals. crocodile, The Hyena & The
— By Carolyn Chameleon.
Wells
4 The Ball This poem is written in Blank Verse. This poem is about losing something that you love, A little Boy, Learns how
Poem and learning to grow up. It is about a little boy, who, for the first time in his young life, is tocope up with the grief
— By John learning what it is like to experience grief at the loss of a much beloved possession – his associated with loss and stand
Berryman ball. up to carry on with life
5 Amanda In the above poem, the poet Robin Klein says that a child should never be denied freedom. Amanda: Mermaids in the sea
— By Robin It deals with the upbringing of a small child, Amanda is rebuked for being moody & Golden haired Rapunzelin
Klein sulking. It highlights the struggles faced by the child. Her dreaming of life of freedom in high tower
the open. Mother, Nagging, vexing
6 Animals The poet Walt Whitman praises animals for being better than human beings and for Poet’s desires to live among
— By Walt possessing all such qualities that humans lack or have forgotten. Those qualities are animals as they are serene and
Whitman calmness, the lack of greed and the ability to stay happy and contented among others. self- contented
7 The Trees ‘The Trees’ shows the conflict between man and nature. With the growth and Trees, metaphor to nature
— By development of society, human beings have used nature for their own benefit and caused a Artificial forest (House
Adrienne Rich lot of harm to it. In order to use natural resources men have forgotten the importance of gardening) longing to go forest
nature.
8 Fog Carl Sandburg compares the fog to a cat. The fog approaches noiselessly and stealthily, The fog, its arrival and departure
— By Carl just like a cat. Just compared with a cat
 Sandburg as the cat sits on its haunches, the fog too seems to be sitting quietly, watching the
harbour and the city and then quietly moves onwards.
9 The Tale of ‘The Tale of Custard, the Dragon’ is a funny poem that tells the story of a little girl Belinda & her Pets: a black
Custard, The Belinda and her pets. Belinda lives with her little pets – a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a Kitten named Ink, grey Mouse
Dragon dragon, in her little house. Belinda and all her pets except the dragon have been described named Blink, yellow Dog named
— By Ogden as very brave creatures. But the dragon is so coward that it is always looking for the safety Mustard and a coward Dragon
Nash of a cage. named Custard.
10 For Anne The poem is in a form of dialogue between two people, Anne Gregory and another is Poet and a girl, Anne Gregory.
Gregory identified as speaker. It could be anyone i.e. Anne’s lover or a friend or the poet himself. Metaphor: honey-coloured
— By William The poem is about perception of love by different people. The one who loves you for your Ramparts at your ear.
Butler Yeats qualities and not your looks. He says that only God loves us for what we are from inside.

FOOTPRINT WITHOUT FEET / Short Stories

S NAME OF
R.
STORY THEME/ GIST/ CENTRAL IDEA CHARACTERS
1 A Triumph The story recounts the episode where the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, saves the life of a dog, * MrsPumphrey, a rich lady
of Surgery Tricki, by hospitalising him to prevent him from being overfed by his wealthy owner, Mrs. * Tricki ( The little dog)
-By James * Mr Herriot, a Vet Surgeon
Pumphrey, who was simply worsening his condition.
Herriot
2 The Thief’s ‘The Thief’s Story’ by Ruskin Bond is about a 15 year old boy, Hari Singh, whose life changes * Hari Singh, 15 yrs boy an artful thief
Story- By when he meets Anil, a 25 year old writer. Anil’s unspoken words and kind gestures leave very *Anil, 25 year old writer
Lucknow, bazar
Ruskin positive imprints on Hari Singh who is an artful thief.
Bond
3 The Ausable, a secret agent, is expecting to get a very important report. Another secret agent, Max, * Ausable , a secret agent
Midnight Threatens him with a pistol, demanding the report. This story tells how Ausable outwits Max by * Max, another agent after Ausable
Visitor—By *Fowler, a young romantic writer
making up convincing stories.
Robert Arthur
4 A Question Horace Danby collects rare books, and finances his hobby by breaking safes. This year, however, * Horace Danby, a book robber for yearly
of Trust— he iscaught by a pretty young lady claiming to be the wife of the house owner. She tricks him into stock
By Victor * Young woman, herself a thief/ tricks,
opening the safe and handing her the jewels. Horace is later arrested for the jewel robbery. bluffs the owner of house
Canning
5 Footprints * Griffin, a brilliant invisible scientist in
without This story is about a scientist who discovered how to make himself invisible. As he was afraid of London
*Mrs Hall, landlord’s wife
Feet— By beingdiscovered in London, where he had committed some crimes, he ran away to a remote Clergy mans house
H. G. Wells village. However, he ran out of money and resorted to robbery, using his advantage of * MrJaffers, the constable
 invisibility.
6 The *Richard Ebright, a scientist with
Making of a The lesson is about the great scientist Richard H. Ebright. He had a habit of collecting butterflies, fascination for butterflies, Monarch
ScientistBy rock fossils and coins since he was a kid. He started scientific research on the study of butterflies. Blueprint of DNA, photographer
Robert W. *DrUrgu Hart, guide, Mentor
His curiosity and will to win for the right reasons made him a successful scientist.
Peterson
7 The ‘The Necklace’ is a story of a middle class lady named Matilda. She was born in a clerk family *Matilda Loisel, a middle class pretty
Necklace and was married to a clerk named M Loisel. She was very pretty but was dissatisfied in life but dissatisfied in life. The Ball party
*M Loisel, a clerk her husband
— By Guy De because of her ‘poverty’. Once she borrowed a necklace from her friend Madame Forestier and lost *MrsForestier, Matilda’s dear friend
Maupassant it in the party. To replace the necklace, she had to live a very miserable life. The tale is about how who lends artificial diamond set
her desire to have more, lead to her ruin.
8 The Hack The story ‘The Hack Driver’ is about a man named Oliver Lutkins. He was a cunning man who *Oliver Lutkins, (Bill) a cunning man, a
Driver was awitness in a case, but he ignored all the summons for appearing. A young lawyer was given witness to case from New Mullion.
* Narrator, a clerk turned
— By the duty to find this man in New Mullion. There he met a helpful hack driver. The driver took lawer .Befooled by hack driver
Sinclair him around the village in search of Lutkins but was unable to find him. Later on the lawyer came *Lutkin’s mother
Lewis to know that the hack driver was Oliver Lutkins himself. Hence the young lawyer became the * Fritz’s poker, barber and pool room
laughing stock of all.
9 Bholi— By * Bholi, Sulekha 4th daughter of
A. K. Abbas ‘Bholi’ is the story of Sulekha. She is a young girl neglected by all. Education transforms her. It NumberdarRamlal
*Tahsildarsahib
inspires courage and confidence in her. She raises her voice for her rights and * teacher
The teacher proved the real Difference Maker in the life of Bholi. *BishambarNath, a grocer from another
villager, a match

10 The Book *Think Tank, mighty ruler of Mars

That Saved This play is set in the 25th century at the museum of Ancient History. A historian tells the *Noodle
The Earth * Omega
students how * Sergeant caps, crew members
— By Claire the Earth had been invaded by Martians in the 21st century, but was saved by a book of nursery
Boiko rhymes. “Mother Goose”

Krishnakant Palnate