CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 1 A Letter to God

Chapter Sketch

The story recounts the hard life and extreme faith in God of a poor farmer (Lencho) who
has lost his crop due to heavy rain and hailstones. It was the only source of income to
fulfil his family’s desires. He firmly believes that God will help him in such a situation
and would not let him and his family die due to hunger. He writes a letter to God to seek
help. Some kind employees of the post office helped him. So, the story tells us to have
faith in God and never lose hope in adverse situations.

About the Characters

Lencho A poor farmer who lives on the crest of a low hill with his family. He was a firm
believer of God. He is innocent, hopeful, caring and responsible.

Postmaster A fat, amiable fellow who helped Lencho to retain his faith in God. He gave
a part of his salary in the charity for Lencho on behalf of God.

Post Office Employees People who helped Lencho on postmaster’s call. They laughed
at Lencho when they saw the letter but helped him in his need. Lencho called them a
bunch of crooks.

OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER

Lencho’s Hope of Good Harvest

Lencho was a farmer who lived on the crest of a low hill with his family. His was the only
house in the entire valley. His field was full of ripe corn and easily visible from the
house. He was eagerly waiting for a good rain to have a good harvest so he could earn
money for his family.

Turning of Lencho’s Hope into Despair

As Lencho hoped, it started raining at the time of supper which gave Lencho a ray of
hope. He was extremely happy to see that. He compared the raindrops as silver coins
which shows his joy.

But soon his joy turned into despair as the rain changed into hailstones which ruined the
crops. The field had been covered with snow like a layer of white salt. Lencho was
worried for his family.

Lencho’s Firm Belief in God

Though Lencho was a poor farmer and had lost all his crops, he had firm faith in God.
He found in God his last hope and decided to write a letter to God for help. He asked
God to send him a hundred pesos so that he can sow his field again and support his
family until the new crops were harvested.

He also wrote that if God didn’t help him, his family would die of hunger.

The Postmaster’s Reaction to Lencho’s Letter

After reading Lencho’s letter to God, the postmaster laughed but soon realized that
Lencho had firm faith in God and his belief should not be shaken. So, he decided to help
Lencho with the help of his post office employees. He collected seventy pesos and
handed the envelope to Lencho himself in which he also contributed a part of his salary.

Lencho Gets Angry at Receiving Less Money

Lencho became angry when he saw seventy pesos in the envelope as he demanded a
hundred pesos. He did not believe that God could do so and send L n less money. So, he
decided to write a letter again for the rest of the money. This time he requested God not
to send the rest of the money through the letter because he thought that the post office
employees were ‘bunch of crooks’ who might have stolen his money.

Chapter Highlights

1. Lencho’s hope of good rain is to have good crops.

2. It rains but the rain soon changes into hailstones.
3. Lencho has firm faith in God.
 4. Lencho writes a letter to God to help him.
5. Lencho asks God to send him a hundred pesos.
6. Postmaster and other employees laugh at Lencho’s letter to God.
7. Postmaster decides to help Lencho in his problem.
8. Postmaster wants every employee to help in this noble deed.
9. Postmaster collects seventy pesos and gives the envelope to Lencho
himself.
10. Lencho gets angry after getting a seventy pesos amount as he had asked
for a hundred pesos.
11. Lencho calls the employees of the post office a ‘bunch of crooks’ as he
thinks that they have stolen the rest of the amount.
12. Lencho again writes a letter to God to send him the rest of the money.
13. Lencho has firm faith in the magnanimity of God; and God never betrays the
trust of a believer.

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Chapter Sketch

This chapter has been taken from Nelson Mandela’s book of the same name ‘Nelson
Mandela : A Long Walk to Freedom’. It provides us a glimpse of the early life of Nelson
Mandela, his education, 30 years in prison and the pains he had suffered in his young
age. The chapter recounts his fight for the freedom for his own people who were
tortured by whites.

In the chapter Mandela gives two contradictory pictures of his own country-one, in
which the blacks were tortured and suffered quietly and second, the blacks will be free
to live the life of their own.

About the Characters

Nelson Mandela First black President of South Africa who fought for the equal rights of
the black. He suffered a lot of pain for the freedom.
Zenani Daughter of Nelson Mandela who accompanied Mandela in his inauguration day.
She was very much close to him.

Thabo Mbeki First Deputy President of South Africa who was very close to Mandela.

Mr. Deklerk Second Deputy President of South Africa

OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER

The Inauguration

It was 10th May the day of oath with a bright and shiny sun. Nelson Mandela was
supposed to take oath as the first black President of South Africa. A large number of
leaders all from around the world had gathered there to be the witness of the
swearing-in ceremony of Nelson Mandela as the first black President. The inauguration
ceremony took place in a big open building in Pretoria where the first democratic
non-racial government was to be installed.

The Swearing-In Ceremony of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was accompanied by his daughter Zenani. Mr Deklerk was the first
person who took oath as secpnd Deputy President followed by Mr Thabo Mbeki who
sweared as the first Deputy President of South Africa. Nelson Mandela was the last
person who sweared as the first black President of South Africa. He pledged to obey
and uphold the Constitution and to devote himself to the well-being of the people. He
also promised to make the nation free from poverty, deprivation, suffering and all sort of
discrimination.

Display of the Military Power by South African Jets

When Mandela had taken oath, South African jets displayed the military power. It also
showed the loyalty of military to democracy. The highest military generals saluted him.
He recounted that they would have arrested him many years before.

It was followed by the playing of two national anthems. The whites’sang ‘Nkosi Sikelel’
the old song and the blacks sang ‘Die Stem’ the new song which marked the end of the
ceremony.
Apartheid and South Africa

l Nelson Mandela reminiscences about days gone by which will soon be the part of
history where the whites had formed a system of racial dominance against the blacks. It
was the basis of the harsh societies which is now overturned. He says , that the policy
of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound

on his country and its people.

Now it is the system that recognised the rights and freedom of all people.

Regret of Mandela and Remembrance of Freedom Fighters

On the auspicious day Mandela regretted the loss of thousands of people and
remembered their sacrifices for the freedom from discrimination. He thought of himself
as the sum of all those African patriots who sacrificed their lives before him. He was
pained that he couldn’t thank them.

He recalled great freedom fighters like Oliver, Tambos, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf
Dadoo, etc. who were the men of uncommon courage, wisdom and generosity.

He said that the country is rich in minerals but its greatest wealth is its people.

Goodness and Duties of a Man

The author says that being white or black is not the token of your goodness or
superiority. No one is born hating other, people should love one another which comes
without force as it is natural. It is man’s essential goodness.

A man has to perform duties to his family, community and country which he didn’t see in
his country before he pushed himself to fight for the blacks. A black man was punished
if he tried to live like a human being and forced to live apart from his own people. So, he
was not allowed to perform his duties to his family.

Meaning of Freedom by Mandela

As a kid Mandela had different meaning for being free as he wanted to run in the fields
and wanted to stay out at night. As he grew older he wanted the freedom of livelihood
for himself and his family.

But soon he realised that such freedom was only an illusion, j He realised that his
brothers and sisters who looked like him were not free, so he joined African National
Congress (ANC). His hunger for freedom became great for the freedom of his people.
He desired that everyone should be given the right to live his life with dignity and
respect. He wanted the oppressor and the oppressed to be liberated. As no one is free if
one is taking someone else’s freedom. Only such feelings can bring true freedom for
everyone.

Chapter Highlights

1. 10th of May was, a day of freedom for South Africa and there was huge
gathering of international leaders and dignitaries.
2. Inauguration ceremony or swearing in ceremony was being held in Union
Building in Pretoria and first non-racial government took the charge.
3. Nelson Mandela gave speech on the victory for justice, peace and human
dignity.
4. Mandela pledged to liberate his people from poverty, suffering and
discrimination.
5. A colourful show by jets and helicopters to show military’s loyalty took
place.
6. Singing of two national anthems was done-the old ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ by the
whites and the new ‘Die stem’ by the blacks.
7. A new system that recognised the rights and freedom of all people was
formed.
8. Mandela remembered and thanked the people who sacrificed their lives for
the freedom.
9. Salutation to some great freedom fighters – Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu,
Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo and others.
10. Mandela said in speech that a country is rich because of its people not
because of the minerals. Courage is not the absence of fear but the victory
over it. People should love others and not hate them due to colour or
religion. Love comes naturally not by force, which is the natural goodness.
 11. He also stated that a man should try to make a balance between his duties
– duty to his family and duty to his community and country. A black person
was treated badly and not allowed to perform his duties.
12. According to Mandela, freedom has many aspects like – for a kid it is to run
and play, for an adult it is to fulfil the needs, of his own and his family. Real
freedom means equal rights for everyone.
13. Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC). He desired
people to live with dignity and respect. He wanted the oppressor and the
oppressed to be liberated.
14. Patience and perseverance guided by discipline and system yield the desire
result.

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 3 Two Stories about Flying
Chapter Sketch

The Chapter ‘Two Stories About Flying’ is a combination of two inspiring stories ‘His
First Flight’ and The Black Aeroplane’.

About the Characters

Story I-His First Flight

Family of Seagulls 6 members in the family of seagulls

Young Seagull One who is unable to fly due to fear.

Story II-The Black Aeroplane

The Narrator A pilot who was flying his Dakota aeroplane over France back to England
lost his way due to storm.

The Unknown Friend A pilot who was flying the black aeroplane helped the narrator to
find the way in the storm.
The Woman The working woman in the control centre whom the narrator asked about
the unknown friend of the black aeroplane.

STORY I His First Flight

Liam O’ Flaherty

This story is about a family of seagulls. There was a young child in the family who was
unable to fly even after several tries. The story highlights the importance of family and
friends in one’s life. It also gives the message that one needs to believe in self to
overcome all the hurdles of own life.

The Seagull Family

The seagull family consists of six seagulls-mother, father, three sons and one daughter.
All of them except the youngest son are expert in flying high. His parents have tried
several times to teach him how to fly but he is scared to do that and does not want to try
anymore. He relies on the food that his parents bring back from their flights.

Young Seagull’s Fear of Flyihg

The youngest son is afraid of flying as he thinks that if he flies, his wings would not
support him and he would fall down in the sea below and drown. Even his parents have
rebuked him. They even threatened him if he doesn’t fly, he would die of hunger but he
does not try.

Parents Leave Young Seagull Alone

After so many failed attempts his parents leave him alone on the rock without food.
They even taunt him for his cowardice. The young seagull looks at his brothers and
sister enjoying swimming, diving in the sea water for fish to feed themselves, but no one
comes near him to offer food.

Hunger and Heat Increase

As the time passes, the young seagull could not tolerate the hunger and the heat. He
moves closer to the edge and pretends to fall asleep but nobody takes notice of him.His
brothers and sister have already had hearty breakfast and father seems busy preening
the feathers on his back. The mother looks at him and tries to tempt him with pieces of
fish. Her begging and crying does not effect him.

Young Seagull Dives for Food

The young seagull was very hungry. He was surprised enough at his mothers’ ignorance
of his pitiful condition. Thus, he dives for food. He begins to fall down with a scream as
soon as he dives.

Flight Begins

The young seagull begins to fall in the sea. He is afraid of drawing, so he tries to spread
his wings outwards and begins flying. He feels a little dizzy but all his fear vanished. He
soars slowly, downwards and upwards. He could finally fly on his own.

Joy of Flight and Reunion of Family

The seagull becomes so happy and soars higher calling ‘ga, ga, gab It was really a
joyous moment for the whole family; his brothers and sister alongwith his parents come
near to encourage and cheer him. The young seagull successfully made his first flight.

Chapter Highlights

1. Seagull family of 6 members.

2. The young seagull afraid of flying.
3. Family has concern of his food and fear of flying.
4. Cajoling and provoking him by family.
5. Family leaves him alone at the rock.
6. He cries because of heat and hunger.
7. No one looks at him except the mother.
8. Temptation by mother for a piece of fish.
9. He pretends to sleep but nobody comes to him,
10. Everybody taunts him for his cowardice.
11. The young seagull dives to catch a fish to feed himself.
 12. He tries to spread his wings outwards.
13. He begins to fly slowly downwards and upwards.
14. He is now no longer afraid of flying and falling down in the sea. He soars
with a joyous scream.
15. Seagull family comes near to him and encourages him.
16. He has made his first flight successfully.

STORY II The Black Aeroplane Frederick Forsyth

In the story the narrator was flying to England with his family to enjoy his holiday. He
wanted to reach England in time so that he could enjoy a good English breakfast with
his family.

The Trip to England

The author was flying his aeroplane at night over France to England. He was eager to
meet his family. He was dreaming of his holiday. The stars were shining in the clear sky.
Even the city-Paris could be seen down below. He called Paris control to get instructed
about the way. He was instructed to turn 12 degrees West.

Fear of Storm

Everything was going well before he saw the storm clouds and Paris was about 150
kilometres behind him. It was natural for the author to panic. He knew that it was not
possible to fly up and over those storm clouds. He was confused for a rtioment.

A Risky but Brave Decision of the Author

As everything was fearful at the moment, the author decided to risk and flew into the
storm, but everything went berserk. The compass as well as other instruments stopped
working. He was unable to see outside the plane as the plane was jumping and twisting
in the air. He tried to contact Paris Control but couldn’t. He was lost in the storm.

A Black Aeroplane Appeared

Suddenly, the author saw another black aeroplane in the storm by his side without lights
on its wings. It seemed strange to him but he was glad to see another person in the
storm.

The pilot of another plane waved at him and signalled to follow so he did that because
he did not have other option except it.

A Safe Landing

The author flew for half an hour which was quiet strange to him as he had fuel only for
five or ten minutes. He felt tearful but suddenly he saw two bright lines infront of him. It
was a runway. He was able to land safely which gave him a sigh of relief. It was just like
a miracle for him.

The Greatest Surprise

The author came out from his plane to thank the pilot of the black aeroplane but he was
shocked to see no one there. He went to Control Tower and asked the woman about the
place and the black aeroplane. Hearing his words the woman laughed and said that
there was no other aeroplane except his. It was a big surprise to the author. He was
dumb founded as he had no explanation for the miracle.

Chapter Highlights

1. The clear sky with shining stars

2. The author was about to meet his family at breakfast.
3. At 1:30 in the morning, author flew in his Dakota aeroplane and he was
instructed to turn 12 degrees West by Paris Control.
4. He was around 150 kilometre away from Paris.
5. The cloud storms approached him.
6. He decided to enter the storm.
7. A risky decision of the author due to his willingness to see his family.
8. He lost the way in the storm.
9. All the instruments stopped working.
10. A black aeroplane appeared by the author side in the storm.
11. He was instructed to follow the black plane.
12. Without much fuel he flew for half an hour.
 13. He landed safely on the runway.
14. He went out from his aeroplane to thank the pilot of the black aeroplane.
15. Got surprised not to find anyone there in the aeroplane.
16. The author asked the woman of Control Tower about the black aeroplane.
17. She laughed and replied in negative about such a plane.
18. A miracle with no explanation for the author which saved his life.

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 4 From the Diary of Anne Frank
Chapter Sketch

In the chapter ‘From the Diary of Anne Frank’, the writer Anne Frank tells about her true
companion-a diary. She writes everything about her life in her diary and considers it her
true friend. At the time of invasion of German over Flolland, her family hid itself. At that
time she started to write in her diary. She spent her adolescent years hidden from
outside world, and her diary kept all her secrets.

About the Characters

Anne Frank The 13 years old Jewish girl who writes a diary while she is hiding in
Amsterdam from the Nazis during World Warll.

Margot Frank Anne’s sister, she is three years older than Anne. „

Otto Frank Anne’s father, he is a Jewish businessman who left Germany after Hitler’s
rise to power, hoping to find refuge in Flolland.

Mrs Frank Anne’s mother, she is the source of many conflicts with Anne during the two
years that the family spends in hiding.

Mr Van Daan A Jewish business and an associate of Mr Frank’s.

Mr Keesing Her teacher who punishes Anne as he gets annoyed by her talkative nature.
OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER

Anne Frank’s First Entry in the Diary

Anne Frank a thirteen year old girl was gifted a diary by her father. So she decided to
write in her diary which she considered to be her best friend in loneliness and named it
‘Kitty’. She began writing in June 1942. In her first entry she expressed her desire to
confide everything to the diary as she hadn’t been able to do so to anyone else. She felt
that paper had more patience than people. Secondly she thought that nobody would be
interested in her diary as she was a small girl.

Her Childhood and Family

Anne called her father as the most adorable person. He was 36 when he married her
mother, who was just 25. She has an older sister Margot. She had about 30 people
around her but she had no true friend. They lived in Frankfurt for sometime but as they
were jewish they had to migrate to Holland for refuge. Her mother stayed with her
grandmother but went to Holland to her father.

Anne’s Schooling

She was sent to a Montessori nursery school. She stayed there until she was six. At her
farewell she and her headmistress Mrs Kuperus had tears in their eyes.

Her Grandmother’s Death

In the summer of 1941 her grandmother fell ill. She had to be. operated upon but she
died in January 1942. It gave Anne a shock and she did not write her diary in that period,
but after that she wrote again as she thought of her grandmother’s love and affection.

Her view About Teachers

Anne was not good at maths so she and her friends were always worried about it, but
she was sure that she would go to the next class. She always considered teachers to be
the most unpredictable creatures on the earth. So she told her friends not to lose hope.
Punishment by Mr Keesing

Anne was a good student and had a good relationship with all the teachers except Mr
Keesing, who taught her Maths. He was always annoyed by her talkative nature. He
used to give her extra homework as punishment. He asked her to write an essay on ‘A
Chatterbox.’ He also put a slip of it on her bag to remind her about it.

Completion of Homework

Anne was unable to understand what she could write in the essay. She started writing to
consider it the necessity. She wrote the three pages for her satisfaction. She defined it
as a feature of a student and also mentioned that she inherited this trait from her
mother who also used to talk much.

Homework given as Punishment Again

Mr Keesing read Annes’ essay in front of class and laughed at it. He gave her another
essay as a punishment on the topic ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’ and Quack, Quack,
Quack, said Mistress Chatterbox’.

Anne Mocks Mr Keesing Amusingly with her Homework

Anne wanted to write something interesting and different this time. So, with the help of
her friend Sanne who was good at poetry, she wrote an essay in verse. It was about
three duckling going deaf because their father duck beat them as they quack way too
much. Mr Keesing took the joke in the right way and didn’t bother Anne for talking after
that incident. She was not even given any extra homework after that.

Chapter Highlights

1. Anne Frank lived in Holland after Hitler invaded.

2. His father and mother left her and her sister to her Grandma.
3. She was gifted a diary on her thirteenth birthday.
4. She named it ‘Kitty’ and made it her best friend in her loneliness.
5. She wrote every problem and happenings in her diary.
6. She was very close to her Grandma, after her death she felt very much
alone.
 7. They lived in hiding for many years to survive.
8. She was lovable of every teacher except Mr Keesing who taught Maths.
9. Mr Kessing got annoyed with her talkative nature. ’
10. He punished her by giving her extra homework many a time.
11. Her essay in verse form on topic ‘Quack’ Quack, Quack, said Mistress
Chatterbox humiliated Mr Kessing.
12. He allowed her to talk and relieved her from any extra home work.

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 7 Glimpses of India
Chapter Sketch

The chapter ‘Glimpses of India’ consists of three parts

1. A Baker from Goa by Lucio Rodrigues

2. Coorg by Lokesh Abrol
3. Tea from Assam by Arup Kumar Datta

The first part is a pen-portrait of a traditional Goan village baker or pader who still has
an important place in Goan culture although the Portuguese have left India long the
back.

The second part is a pen-portrait of Coorg, which is a coffee country, famous for its rain
forests and spices.

The third part is about the tea plantations in Assam.

About the Characters

Part III Tea from Assam

Rajvir
He is a youngster from Delhi. He is a person who is always excited to learn about new
things.

Pranjoi

He is a friend and classmate of Rajvir. He belongs to Assam.

PART I A BAKER FROM GOA

Bread Making in Goa

This is a pen portrait of the traditional Goan village baker, who is still remembered by
Goans. Bread making started from the Portuguese days. They were the lovers of bread.
Bread making was an art which needed perfection. Mixing, moulding and baking were
the areas of specialisation of making a bread. The loaves were baked in time tested
furnaces. This profession has been continued by the baker’s descendants.

The Author’s Childhood Days Recalled

The writer remembers his childhood days when the baker used to be their friend,
companion and guide. He used to visit twice a day, once in the morning during his
selling hours and then again while returning after selling all his bread. The jingling thud
of the bamboo he carried woke them up in the morning and they ran to meet and greet
him. They ran for getting the bread bangles, which were a specially made sweet bread.

Delivering the Loaves

As the baker came, he would call out the lady of the house and wish her ‘Good Morning’.
The children would be pushed aside and the loaves would be delivered to the maid
servant. The author recalls the aroma of loaves that filled the air. The children would not
even brush their teeth and ate bangles made of bread with tea.

Importance of Bread in Traditional Ceremonies

The various kinds of bread were very important for all occasions. No marriage was
complete until and unless the traditional bol was served. The lady of the house prepared
sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement and bolinhas would be
prepared for Christmas and other festivals.

The Baker’s Dress

The baker was usually dressed in a kabai, a long frock reaching down to the knees or a
shirt and a trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants.
Even today if anyone dares to go out in the streets wearing half pants, he is referred to
as a pader (means baker).

Bread Making – A Profitable Profession

The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. All the accounts were
written on some wall in the premises with a pencil. It was a profitable profession during
those days because Portuguese were lovers of fresh baked loaves. The baker, his family
members and his servants looked prosperous and happy.

Chapter Highlights

1. The Portuguese in Goa were lovers of bread.

2. Those eaters of bread have now gone but its makers still exist.
3. During the childhood days of the narrator, a baker used to be their friend,
companion and guide.
4. The baker came twice a day- once in the morning and again while returning
home after finishing his selling.
5. The jingling thud of the baker’s bamboo woke up the sleeping children.
6. The loaves were delivered to the servants of the house.
7. The children would peep into the baker’s basket for the bread bangles.
8. The children would eat bread with hot tea.
9. The marriages were incomplete without the popular bol bread.
10. Bolinhas was a must during Christmas and all other festivals.
11. The bakers wore a particular knee length frock known as kabai.
12. Baking was a profitable profession. Bakers had a plump physique testifying
to this.
13. The bakers collected their bills at the end of the month.
 PART II COORG

Coorg – A Heavenly Place

Coorg district of Karnataka lies between the towns of Mysore and Mangalore. It is like a
heaven on Earth. It is inhabited by martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.

Weather and Environment of Coorg

It is the smallest district of Karnataka. It consists of evergreen forests, spices and

coffee plantations. The best season to visit coorg starts in September and continues
upto March. The weather in coorg is pleasant during those months.

People of Coorg

The people here are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent. According to a legend,
Alexander’s army moved South along the coast and settled there only when they were
unable to return to their country. These people married among the locals and their
culture can be witnessed by their martial traditions, marriages and religious rites. The
Kodavus (residents of Coorg) wear a long black coat with an embroidered waist belt.
Known as Kuppia, it resembles kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Bravery Tales of Coorg

Coorg people are well-known for their bravery. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most
decorated regiments of the Indian Army. General Cariappa, the first Indian Army Chief,
was a Coorgi. Even today, only the Kodavus are permitted to carry firearms without a
licence.

Wildlife In Coorg

Coorg is home to a large number of wild animals and birds. Mahaseer, a large
freshwater fish, is found here. Kingfishers, squirrels and langurs live without any fear.

Wild elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts. The river
Kaveri gets its water from the hills of Coorg.
Coorg – A Tourist Place

Even the laziest tourists become adventurous on coming to coorg as it is full of

adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing, rock climbing etc. The climb to Brahmagiri
hills bring smiles to many faces as one can see the panoramic view of coorg from there.

Nature at Its Best

India’s largest Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe is inhabited by monks in red, ochre and
yellow robs. There are many more surprises waiting at Coorg for the tourists to discover.

Reaching Coorg

Coorg can be reached by road and by rail. If one prefers to go by air, then the nearest
airports are Bangalore and Mangalore. By road, it is around 250 – 260 km from
Bangalore.

Chapter Highlights

1. Coorg or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is a heavenly place.

2. The best season to visit it is from September to March.
3. The people living there are probably the descendants of Arabs or Greeks.
4. Their culture is apparent in their martial traditions, marriages and religious
rites.
5. The Kodavus wear a long, black, embroidered coat called Kuppia.
6. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments in the Indian
Army.
7. Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a
license.
8. The river Kaveri begins from the hills and forests of Coorg.
9. A variety of plants, birds and animals can be seen there.
10. The place offers a number of adventure sports for the tourists.
11. The Tibetan monks are amongst many surprises that can be seen there.

PART III TEA FROM ASSAM

Rajvir’s Visit to Assam

Rajvir and Pranjol are travelling to Assam by train as Pranjol has invited Rajvir to visit his
home during the summer vacation. Rajvir is very excited to see the beautiful scenery of
greenery and tea plantations outside. Rajvir tells Pranjol that over eighty crore cups of
tea are drunk everyday throughout the world.

The Beautiful Tea Gardens

Rajvir looks at the scenery outside and is mesmerised by its beauty. The view from the
train was also panoramic. There was greenery outside. The soft green paddy fields gave
way to tea bushes. Tea bushes spread as far as the eye could see.

Legends about Discovery of Tea

There are many legends about the discovery of tea. The Chinese legend says that when
a few tea leases accidentally fell into boiling water which the emperor tasted and liked,
tea making started.

Indian legend tells that a Buddhist monk cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during
meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of these eyelids. The leaves of these plants when
put in hot water and drunk, drove away sleep.

Chinese – the Tea Lovers

Rajvir told Pranjol that tea was first drunk in China. Words like ‘chai’ and ‘chini are of
Chinese origin. From China, it spread to Europe and then to Asia. Earlier tea was drunk
more as a medicine than as a beverage.

Dhekiabari

The boys alighted at Mariani junction. Soon, they were driving towards Dhekiabari, the
tea garden managed by Pranjol’s father. Groups of tea pluckers, with bamboo baskets
on their backs and wearing plastic aprons, plucking the newly sprouted leaves, could be
seen everywhere. The best tea is obtained during the period of May to July.
Chapter Highlights

1. Pranjol and Rajvir were visiting Assam by train.

2. Rajvir was busy looking at the beautiful scenery outside the train.
3. It was green everywhere as far as the eye could see.
4. The soft green paddy bushes gave way to tea bushes.
5. Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantation in the world.
6. The Chinese are said to have discovered tea.
7. There is also an Indian legend saying that Bodhidharma discovered tea.
8. From China, tea came to the European countries and then to Asian
countries.
9. Pranjol’s father managed Dhekiabari, a tea garden.
10. There were many tea pluckers around the tea bushes.
11. The best tea is obtained between May to July.

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 8 Mijbil the Otter
Chapter Sketch

In this story, the author Gavin Maxwell tells us about his unusual pet ‘Mijbil’, an otter.
He tells that when his dog died, he decided to have another pet. Soon, he shifted to
Iraq where he saw people were keeping otters as a pets. He also decided to have an
otter as a pet.

He describes, while he had to shift to England, how much problems were faced by him
in taking Mijbil with him. On reaching London, people did not recognise the otter. They
used to make guesses about the animal. The author thoroughly enjoyed the time spent
with the otter.

About the Characters

Gavin Maxwell He is a very caring and a polite person. He takes complete care of his
pet. Mijbil ttie Otter He is the pet of the narrator. He is a very friendly, intelligent and a
fun-loving creature. He plays with water and other objects like a rubber ball.
OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER

The Author Decides to Keep an Otter

The author travelled to Southern Iraq in 1956. He decided to keep an otter as a pet. As
his native place of living, Camusfeama, had much water around, an otter was suitable
for the experiment.

The Author and his Friend Travel to Basra

When the author mentioned about his wish to keep an otter as a pet to his friend, he
suggested him to take an otter from Tigris Marshes as they are quite common there.
They were going to Basra to collect their mails. The mail of his friend reached but his
mail did not arrive.

The Author’s Mall Arrives and He Gets the Otter

The author sent a telegram to England as his’mail had not arrived. For three days there
was no reply. He tried to make a phone call but due to some problems he was not able
to get through. Finally, after five days his mail arrives.

Once his mail arrived, he went to his room to read it. There, he saw two Arabs with an
otter. They told that it was for him.

Strangeness of the Otter

The otter changed the life of the author. The otter came on to the tiled floor from the
sack (bag). At once, it appeared like a small dragon. From head to tail, his body was
coated with mud. In between the mud, a velvet fur like creature resembling a chocolate
brown mole appeared. There was a lot of dust on his body. It took the author a month’s
time to remove all the dust from his body.

Domestication of the Otter

The narrator named the otter as Mijbil. In short, he was called as Mij. For the first
twenty-four hours, the otter was neither unfriendly nor friendly. He was aloof and
indifferent. He kept on sleeping on the floor far from the bed. The second night, he
came onto the author’s bed and slept in the crook of his knees. In the day, he kept a
keen interest in his surroundings. The author made a body belt for him. The otter liked
playing in the water in the bathroom.

Mljbll’s Escape from the Bedroom

Two days later, Mijbil escaped from the author’s bedroom. He went to the bathroom.
He entered the bathtub and turned the tap on with his paws within minutes.

Mijbil becomes Friendly

Within a very less time, he became very friendly. He followed the author when he
called his name. He spent most of the time in playing with the rubber ball. He played it
like a soccer ball. His favourite toys were the marbles.

Taking Mijbil Back to Home

Days passed peacefully at Basra. The author had a fear of transporting Mij to England
and then to Camusfearna. The British airlines would not fly animals. He booked a flight
to Paris and then from there to London. The airlines told him to pack Mij in a box. He
made a box for Mij. He put him inside the box before the flight so that he becomes
habitual to it. Then he went to have lunch.

The Otter and the Box

When the author came back after sometime, he was shocked to see a complete silence
from the box. Blood was coming out from the airholes. He opened the box. He saw Mij
covered with blood. Only 10 minutes were left for the flight and the airport was five
miles away. He kept Mij inside the box and held the lid with his hands.

The Author Leaves for Airport

The author sat in the car with the box beside him. The driver drove the car very fast.
Just when the aircraft was about to take off, he was rushed through to it by the angry
officials at the airport.
The Author In the Aircraft

He had booked the front seat for him. He covered the floor around his seat with
newspapers. He gave the parcel of fish to the airhostess for the otter. She suggested
him to keep the otter on his knees.

Mijbil Goes out of the Box

Mij was out of the box at once. He disappeared in the aircraft. There was a woman
shouting, “A rat! A rat!” in fear. The author tried to catch the otter but he failed. The air
hostess told him to be seated and said that she would find the otter for him. Very soon
the otter came near the author and climbed on his knees. He started rubbing his face
and neck with his nose.

Mijbil Reaches London

The author remained in London for almost a month. Mij kept on playing with ping-pong
balls, marbles, rubber fruit and a terrapin shell that the author had bought from the
marshes.

Mijbil Plays Outside the House

The author exercised Mij on a lead on the streets. Mij quickly developed certain habits
during the walks on London streets. There was a primary school opposite to the
author’s house. He would take the author near the outer wall of it which was some two
feet high. He would then gallop on to this. This distracted the students and the staff.
The people in London were not able to recognise the Otter and made wild guesses.

Chapter Highlights

1. After the death of his dog, the author decides to keep an otter as his pet.
2. As per his friend’s suggestion, he got an otter from Tigris Marshes.
3. The author felt that coming of the otter started a new phase of his life.
4. The otter first appeared as a small dragon. He was coated with mud.
5. It took ajot of time and effort for the author to remove the dust.
6. The otter loved to play with water, and could not stand still in front of it.
7. He also loved to play with the rubber ball. Marble toys were his favourite.
 8. After some days, the author had to come back to London.
9. The transporting of Mijbil to London became a problem. British airline did
not permit animals on its flights.
10.Another airline agreed to take the animal if packed in a box.
11.The author made a small box for the otter.
12.While in the plane, the otter escaped from the box. Some passengers.
Shouted and stood on their seats on seeing the otter in the plane. At last,
the otter came back and settled on the author’s knees.
13.On reaching London, people did not recognise the otter. They just made
random guesses.
14.Mijbil played with ping-pong ball and develops certain playing habits in
London.

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 9 Madam Rides the Bus
Chapter Sketch

This is a sensitive story of an 8 years old girl. It describes her first bus journey into the
world outside her village. The outside world is fascinating and the bus ride a
mysterious journey. She wants to experience this mysterious journey alone. She finds
each minute information provided by her neighbours, regarding the bus journey and
collected money for the bus fare. One day she goes on the bus ride alone and comes
back with new experiences.

OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER

Valliammai and Her Pastime

Valliammai was a girl, who was known as Valli in short. She was eight years old. She
wanted to know about new things. She had no one to play with her of her own age. So
her favourite pastime was to stand in front of the door of her house. This always gave
her new experiences. The bus that travelled from her street to the town fascinated her
the most. Looking at the new passengers every time the bus passed gave an unending
joy to Valli.
Valli Wants to Travel in The Bus

Everyday when Valli watched the bus she wanted to travel in the bus. This wish
became stronger day by day until it became a desire. She used to stare at the people
while they got up and down the bus. If one of her friends went on a bus ride and
described her about the bus journey, she became jealous of her and would shout.

Valli Discovers Details About The Bus Journey

For many days and months Valli listened to the talks of her neighbours and people who
went on the bus journey. She even asked them some questions since they were regular
travellers. This way she was able to get even the minutes details about the bus
journey. The fare was 30 paise for one way and the trip to the town took 45 minutes.
She kept on planning and calculating the things for a long time.

Valli Takes The Bus

Valli took the bus on a spring afternoon. There were only six to seven passengers in
the bus. The bus was new with soft and luxurious seats. The conductor was a jolly sort
of a person and asked Valli to get seated in the front of the bus. He addressed Valli as
‘Madam’. She started looking outside the bus and was attracted by the outside view.
She could see the canal, the palm trees, grassland, distant mountains and the blue sky.
A cow running towards the bus made her laugh and clap. The cow was not moving
aside despite continuous honking by the driver.

Valli Reaches the Town

The bus reached the town after some time. Valli was on seeing the bright shops and
big crowd. She stayed in the bus while the other passengers got down. The conductor
asked her to get down but she told him that she would go back in the same bus. She
refused his offer of giving her a cold drink as a treat.

The Return Journey

Valli saw the same wonderful sights on the return journey. She wasn’t bored and
greeted everything with the same excitement she’d felt the first time. Suddenly, she
saw a young cow lying dead by the road side. It was the same cow that was running
towards the bus when she was going to town. She was filled with sadness on seeing
her. The bus moved on but the thoughts of the dead cow haunted Valli. She no longer
looked outside the window. When the bus reached her village, she ran straight for
home. Her mother did not get to know of her secret journey.

Chapter Highlights

1. The story is about an eight year old girl named Valliammai. She was very
curious to know about things.
2. Her favourite pastime was to stand at the front doorway of her house and
see what was happening in the street outside.
3. She would watch the bus that passed every hour from her village to the
nearest town.
4. She developed a desire to ride the bus. This became her deepest desire.
5. Valli found out the details of the bus journey by listening carefully to the
conversations between her neighbours and regular bus users.
6. She came to know that the town was just six miles from her village and the
fare for the bus journey was thirty paise one way. The trip took 45
minutes.
7. Valli planned her visit to the town. She saved sixty paise for the fare.
Finally, one day she took the one o’clock bus to the town.
8. Valli was very happy to have got into the bus.
9. On the way to the town, Valli saw a cow running right in front of the bus.
She clapped as the cow kept on running towards the bus despite the
continuous honking by the driver.
10.Valli did not get off the bus when it reached the town. She also declined
the offer of a cold drink by the conductor.
11.On the return journey, she saw the same cow lying dead by the roadside.
This unpleasant sight made her very sad.
12.The bus reached the village at three forty. She ran straight for her home
after getting down the bus.Her mother did not come to know about her
journey.

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 10 The Sermon at Benares
Chapter Sketch

‘The Sermon at Benares’ is a chapter written by Betty Renshaw. The chapter covers the
journey of Gautama Buddha from princehood to his saintly life. After seeing the
suffering of the world, he decided to give up all worldly pleasures and seeked
enlightenment. He finally attained salvation under a tree at Bodhgaya. His first sermon
was delivered at Benares near the bank of the Ganges. Kisa Gautami was the first one
to receive this sermon.

About the Characters

Buddha Gautama Buddha is the founder of the Buddhist Religion. He was a spiritual
teacher who had gained enlightenment after seeing the World’s pains and greed.

Kisa Gotami She was a young mother whose only son had died. She was a loving and
caring mother, but at the same time, she became selfish and wanted to get her son
back after death

OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER

Buddha as a Prince

Gautama Buddha was bom as a prince named Siddhartha Gautama in Northern India.
At 12, he was sent for schooling in Hindu Sacred Scriptures. Four years later, he
returned home and got married to a princess. They had a son. They lived a royal life for
10 years.

Gautama is Enlightened from the Sufferings of the World

He was protected from the sufferings of the world. One day, he saw a sick man, an old
man, a funeral procession and a monk begging for money and food. This moved
Buddha and he then went out to seek enlightenment.

Gautama Seeks Enlightenment and Becomes Gautama Buddha

He travelled aimlessly for seven years and then he stayed under a peepal tree until he
attained enlightenment. After seven days, he got enlightened and renamed the tree as
Bodhi Tree (Tree of Wisdom). There, he began to teach and share his knowledge and
became known as Buddha.

Buddha Gives his First Sermon

Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares. It is the holiest of the dipping
places on the river Ganges. This sermon reflects Buddha’s wisdom about the kind of
suffering that is impossible to interpret.

Kisa Gotami’s Story

Kisa Gotami had only one son. She carried her dead son in her arms and she went door
to door asking for medicines for her dead child. The neighbours pitied her but could
not help her as her son was dead. They were as helpless as Kisa and couldn’t go
against the will of God. Finally, somebody suggested that she should go to the
Sakyamuni, the Buddha. Kisa Gotami went to meet Gautama Buddha. Gautama told her
to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death has never knocked at
the door. Kisa thought that it was a very easy task. She went to all the houses in the
village but couldn’t find a single house where death had not taken a beloved away.

She sat down, hopeless and tired. She soon realised that she was being very selfish in
her grief. Death is common to all.

Buddha’s Reply to Kisa Gotami

The life of morals is troubled, brief and combined with pain. It is not possible to avoid
death. As the ripe fruits are in danger of falling, as the earthen vessels made by the
potter break, similarly the mortals have the danger of death. Wise men and fools, all
fall in the power of death. Only the wise do not grieve and they accept the reality. All
weeping and grieving will bring more pain and sufferings to the body. One, who is
composed, will obtain peace of mind and will be free from sorrow and be blessed.

Chapter Highlights
 1. This lesson is about the life of Gautama Buddha, who was born in a royal
family as Siddhartha.
2. He was sent to study Hindu scriptures, and later married a princess.
3. Once he saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession and a monk
begging for money.
4. These sights moved him and he went to search for enlightenment’.
5. He started meditating under a peepal tree and got enlightened after 7 days
and became known as the Buddha.
6. He preached his first sermon at Benares.
7. Once a woman came to him requesting to bring her dead son to life.
8. Gautama Buddha asked the lady to bring a handful of mustard seeds from
a house where there had been no death.
9. The lady moved from one house to another but she could not find a single
house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.
10.Then, she came to know that death is common to all and is the ultimate
truth of life.

CBSE Revision Notes for Class 10 English First Flight

Chapter 10 The Sermon at Benares
Chapter Sketch

‘The Sermon at Benares’ is a chapter written by Betty Renshaw. The chapter covers the
journey of Gautama Buddha from princehood to his saintly life. After seeing the
suffering of the world, he decided to give up all worldly pleasures and seeked
enlightenment. He finally attained salvation under a tree at Bodhgaya. His first sermon
was delivered at Benares near the bank of the Ganges. Kisa Gautami was the first one
to receive this sermon.

About the Characters

Buddha Gautama Buddha is the founder of the Buddhist Religion. He was a spiritual
teacher who had gained enlightenment after seeing the World’s pains and greed.
Kisa Gotami She was a young mother whose only son had died. She was a loving and
caring mother, but at the same time, she became selfish and wanted to get her son
back after death

OVERVIEW OF THE CHAPTER

Buddha as a Prince

Gautama Buddha was bom as a prince named Siddhartha Gautama in Northern India.
At 12, he was sent for schooling in Hindu Sacred Scriptures. Four years later, he
returned home and got married to a princess. They had a son. They lived a royal life for
10 years.

Gautama is Enlightened from the Sufferings of the World

He was protected from the sufferings of the world. One day, he saw a sick man, an old
man, a funeral procession and a monk begging for money and food. This moved
Buddha and he then went out to seek enlightenment.

Gautama Seeks Enlightenment and Becomes Gautama Buddha

He travelled aimlessly for seven years and then he stayed under a peepal tree until he
attained enlightenment. After seven days, he got enlightened and renamed the tree as
Bodhi Tree (Tree of Wisdom). There, he began to teach and share his knowledge and
became known as Buddha.

Buddha Gives his First Sermon

Buddha preached his first sermon at the city of Benares. It is the holiest of the dipping
places on the river Ganges. This sermon reflects Buddha’s wisdom about the kind of
suffering that is impossible to interpret.

Kisa Gotami’s Story

Kisa Gotami had only one son. She carried her dead son in her arms and she went door
to door asking for medicines for her dead child. The neighbours pitied her but could
not help her as her son was dead. They were as helpless as Kisa and couldn’t go
against the will of God. Finally, somebody suggested that she should go to the
Sakyamuni, the Buddha. Kisa Gotami went to meet Gautama Buddha. Gautama told her
to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death has never knocked at
the door. Kisa thought that it was a very easy task. She went to all the houses in the
village but couldn’t find a single house where death had not taken a beloved away.

She sat down, hopeless and tired. She soon realised that she was being very selfish in
her grief. Death is common to all.

Buddha’s Reply to Kisa Gotami

The life of morals is troubled, brief and combined with pain. It is not possible to avoid
death. As the ripe fruits are in danger of falling, as the earthen vessels made by the
potter break, similarly the mortals have the danger of death. Wise men and fools, all
fall in the power of death. Only the wise do not grieve and they accept the reality. All
weeping and grieving will bring more pain and sufferings to the body. One, who is
composed, will obtain peace of mind and will be free from sorrow and be blessed.

Chapter Highlights

1. This lesson is about the life of Gautama Buddha, who was born in a royal
family as Siddhartha.
2. He was sent to study Hindu scriptures, and later married a princess.
3. Once he saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession and a monk
begging for money.
4. These sights moved him and he went to search for enlightenment’.
5. He started meditating under a peepal tree and got enlightened after 7 days
and became known as the Buddha.
6. He preached his first sermon at Benares.
7. Once a woman came to him requesting to bring her dead son to life.
8. Gautama Buddha asked the lady to bring a handful of mustard seeds from
a house where there had been no death.
9. The lady moved from one house to another but she could not find a single
house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.
10.Then, she came to know that death is common to all and is the ultimate
truth of life.