Class 10 NCERT English – Chapter & Poem
Summaries
First Flight (Prose)
1. A Letter to God
“The author, in the story A Letter to God, portrays
the unwavering faith of a farmer in God despite
facing the devastation of his crops.”
2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
“Nelson Mandela, in his autobiography Long Walk
to Freedom, portrays the struggle against
apartheid and the triumph of freedom after years
of oppression.”
3. Two Stories about Flying
- His First Flight
“The author, in the story His First Flight,
portrays the journey of a young seagull
overcoming fear and discovering the courage
to fly.”
- Black Aeroplane
“The author, in the story Black Aeroplane,
portrays a mysterious encounter that
highlights a pilot’s dilemma and the
unexplained forces that guide him.”
4. From the Diary of Anne Frank
“Anne Frank, in her diary, portrays the emotional
struggles of a young girl hiding during the
Holocaust and her hope for a better world.”
5. Glimpses of India
- A Baker from Goa
“The author, in the story A Baker from Goa,
portrays nostalgic childhood memories associated
with traditional Goan bakers during Portuguese
rule.”
- Coorg
“The author, in the story Coorg, portrays the rich
cultural heritage, natural beauty, and warrior
traditions of the Coorg region in Karnataka.”
- Tea from Assam
“The author, in the story Tea from Assam, portrays
the vast tea gardens of Assam and their
significance in India’s tea culture.”
6. Mijbil the Otter
“The author, in the story Mijbil the Otter, portrays
the deep bond between a man and his pet otter,
highlighting the beauty of wildlife.”
7. Madam Rides the Bus
“The author, in the story Madam Rides the Bus,
portrays the innocent curiosity of a young girl who
dreams of exploring the world beyond her village.”
8. The Sermon at Benares
“The text The Sermon at Benares portrays
Buddha’s teachings about suffering, detachment,
and the path to enlightenment.”
9. The Proposal (Play)
“Anton Chekhov, in the play The Proposal, portrays
the humorous side of human relationships through
a marriage proposal that turns into a heated
argument.”
First Flight (Poems)
1. Dust of Snow
“The poet, in the poem Dust of Snow, portrays how
small moments in nature can bring about a positive
change in one’s mood.”
2. Fire and Ice
“The poet, in the poem Fire and Ice, portrays the
destructive power of human emotions like desire
and hatred in shaping the world.”
3. A Tiger in the Zoo
“The poet, in the poem A Tiger in the Zoo, portrays
the contrast between the tiger’s restricted life in
captivity and its natural existence in the wild.”
4. How to Tell Wild Animals
“The poet, in the poem How to Tell Wild Animals,
portrays different wild animals in a humorous and
descriptive manner.”
5. The Ball Poem
“The poet, in the poem The Ball Poem, portrays a
child’s first experience of loss and how it teaches him
an important life lesson.”
6. Amanda!
“The poet, in the poem Amanda!, portrays the
contrast between a child’s imaginative world and
the constant restrictions imposed by adults.”
7. The Trees
“The poet, in the poem The Trees, portrays the idea
of nature breaking free from human confinement
and reclaiming its true place.”
8. Fog
“The poet, in the poem Fog, portrays fog as a silent
and mysterious force of nature using the imagery
of a cat.”
9. The Tale of Custard the Dragon
“The poet, in the poem The Tale of Custard the
Dragon, portrays an amusing story about a
cowardly dragon who turns out to be braver than
expected.”
10. For Anne Gregory
“The poet, in the poem For Anne Gregory, portrays
the idea that true love should go beyond physical
appearance and appreciate inner beauty.”
