First Flight (Prose & Poems)

1. A Letter to God – Gregorio López y Fuentes

Character-based: Lencho was a poor but hardworking farmer who relied completely on his
crops for survival. He was also a man of deep faith, believing that God could directly help him
in his need. His unshakable belief in divine power made him innocent but also blind to reality.
Plot-based: Lencho’s cornfield was destroyed by a severe hailstorm. Believing that only God
could save his family from starvation, he wrote a letter asking for money.
Theme-based: The story highlights faith and irony—Lencho’s strong trust in God contrasts
with the fact that the money came from the post office employees, not God. The irony is that
Lencho suspected the helpers of dishonesty instead of being grateful.

2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela

Character-based: Mandela was courageous, determined, and selfless. His qualities of
patience, vision, and forgiveness made him a great leader and symbol of freedom.
Plot-based: On 10th May 1994, Mandela was sworn in as the first black President of South
Africa. It was historic because apartheid officially ended, and a democratic government was
established.
Theme-based: The text reflects courage, freedom, and sacrifice—Mandela and his
comrades suffered imprisonment, but their sacrifices led to the birth of a free nation.

3. Two Stories about Flying

(i) His First Flight – Liam O’Flaherty
● Character-based: The young seagull was nervous and afraid of flying due to lack of
confidence. Hunger forced him to try, and he finally became brave and independent.
● Plot-based: When his mother tempted him with food, he leaped out of fear and
necessity. His wings opened naturally, and he experienced the joy of flying.
● Theme-based: The story conveys that self-confidence comes through courage and
effort, and independence requires facing fears.
(ii) Black Aeroplane – Frederick Forsyth
● Character-based: The narrator was adventurous but also overconfident, flying into a
storm despite risks. He was hopeful, curious, and dependent on others for help.
● Plot-based: He was saved by a mysterious black aeroplane that guided him out of
storm clouds safely to the runway, though the plane later disappeared.
● Theme-based: The story explores hope and mystery, showing how help can come in
unexpected ways and leaving the ending open to imagination.

4. From the Diary of Anne Frank – Anne Frank

Character-based: Anne Frank was intelligent, sensitive, witty, and honest. She expressed
her emotions openly and showed maturity beyond her age.
Plot-based: Anne started writing a diary because she felt lonely and needed a true friend.
She recorded her daily life, feelings, and struggles under Nazi occupation.
Theme-based: The diary reflects war, fear, and loneliness, but also the resilience of a
young girl who longed for freedom and peace.

7. Madam Rides the Bus – Vallikannan

Character-based: Valli was curious, observant, and brave. Though just eight years old, she
behaved maturely, showing determination and independence.
Plot-based: Valli secretly boarded a bus to the nearest town. She enjoyed the sights but
returned home with greater awareness after seeing the death of a calf.
Theme-based: The story reflects innocence and maturity—a child’s curiosity leading to
growth, with experiences teaching her life’s harsh truths.

8. The Sermon at Benares – Betty Renshaw

Character-based: Gautama Buddha appears calm, compassionate, and wise. He taught
through simple examples and universal truths.
Plot-based: Kisa Gotami, grieving her son’s death, approached Buddha for help. He taught
her that death is common and inevitable by asking her to bring mustard seeds from a house
untouched by death.
Theme-based: The story highlights suffering and detachment—accepting death as part of
life leads to peace and wisdom.

Poems
Dust of Snow – Robert Frost
● Character-based: The poet presents nature as a healing force that can change mood
and bring positivity even in small moments.
● Plot-based: A crow shaking snow from a tree changed the poet’s gloomy mood to
cheerful.
● Theme-based: Even small incidents in nature can bring big changes, offering hope
and renewal.
Fire and Ice – Robert Frost
● Character-based: The poet sees human desires as dangerous and capable of
destroying the world.
● Plot-based: He mentions two possible ends of the world—through fire (desire) or ice
(hatred).
● Theme-based: The poem shows how human flaws like greed and hatred can lead to
destruction.
A Tiger in the Zoo – Leslie Norris
● Character-based: The tiger is shown as majestic but helpless when caged, his power
restricted by human control.
● Plot-based: In the cage, the tiger paces restlessly, unlike in the wild where he would
roam freely and hunt.
● Theme-based: The poem contrasts freedom and captivity, stressing the cruelty of
keeping wild animals confined.
How to Tell Wild Animals – Carolyn Wells
● Character-based: The poet humorously describes animals using exaggeration and
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playful tone.
● Plot-based: She introduces animals like the Asian lion, Bengal tiger, bear, crocodile,
and chameleon with funny descriptions.
● Theme-based: The poem blends humour with learning, showing that poetry can
teach while entertaining.
The Ball Poem – John Berryman
● Character-based: The boy reacts with sadness and shock at losing his ball, realizing it
is gone forever.
● Plot-based: Through the loss, he learns that life involves losing things that cannot be
replaced.
● Theme-based: The poem reflects growing up and accepting loss, an essential part of
maturity.

Footprints Without Feet

1. A Triumph of Surgery – James Herriot
Character-based: Mrs. Pumphrey was wealthy, overindulgent, and extremely fond of her pet
Tricki. Tricki was pampered, lazy, and unhealthy.
Plot-based: Dr. Herriot took Tricki to his clinic, gave him proper diet and exercise, and cured
him without medicines.
Theme-based: The story warns against overindulgence and lack of discipline in life.

2. The Thief’s Story – Ruskin Bond

Character-based: Hari Singh was young, clever, and dishonest at first but also capable of
change.
Plot-based: Anil’s kindness, trust, and generosity transformed Hari, making him give up
stealing and choose honesty.
Theme-based: The story shows the power of trust, kindness, and forgiveness in reforming
people.

5. Footprints without Feet – H.G. Wells

Character-based: Griffin was a brilliant scientist but short-tempered, selfish, and lawless.
Plot-based: He discovered how to become invisible but misused it for theft and mischief
instead of benefiting mankind.
Theme-based: The story warns about the misuse of science without morality.

6. The Making of a Scientist – Robert W. Peterson

Character-based: Richard Ebright was intelligent, hardworking, curious, and determined
from childhood.
Plot-based: His mother encouraged him by providing books, materials, and support, which
shaped his career as a scientist.
Theme-based: The story shows that curiosity, dedication, and perseverance are keys to
success.
7. The Necklace – Guy de Maupassant
Character-based: Matilda Loisel was beautiful but dissatisfied, vain, and materialistic. Later,
she became hardworking and realistic after years of suffering.
Plot-based: Losing her friend’s necklace forced Matilda and her husband into ten years of
hardship, only to learn that the necklace was fake.
Theme-based: The story reflects vanity, pride, and cruel fate, teaching the importance of
contentment and honesty.