English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Both 'The Black Aeroplane' and 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' explore how courage emerges unexpectedly from characters not initially associated with bravery.

In 'The Black Aeroplane', the pilot knowingly flies his old Dakota into a dangerous storm despite fear, saying "I'll take the risk." Inside the clouds, everything turned black, his compass and instruments stopped working, and he had no fuel — yet he kept his nerve. Mysteriously, another aeroplane appeared and guided him safely to a runway, showing that help and courage can come from unknown, unexpected sources.

Custard, despite being a dragon (traditionally a fierce creature), is mocked for begging for a "nice safe cage." Yet when a pirate threatens everyone, Custard alone springs into action and defeats him — proving that the character dismissed as a coward displays the truest courage when circumstances demand it.

Thus, both texts show that real courage is not about outward confidence but about rising to a challenge when it truly matters.

Source: The Black Aeroplane and The Tale of Custard the Dragon, Chapter 3

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Examiners look for:

• Direct textual references from both poems/stories (not vague summaries).
• A clear thematic link — the contrast between apparent fear/cowardice and actual courage under pressure.
• Mention of the pilot's risk, the storm, and the mysterious aeroplane for Story 1.
• Mention of Custard's mocked cowardice vs. his decisive action against the pirate for Poem 2.
• A concluding line tying both texts to the common theme — examiners reward this.
• Keep it within ~130 words; do not retell the entire plot.