A Letter to God: First Flight Summary

A Letter to God

• Lencho is the main character, a farmer.
• Lencho has unwavering faith in God.
• A hailstorm destroys Lencho's crops, causing him distress.
• He writes a letter to God asking for 100 pesos.
• The money is to replant his field and support his family until the next harvest.
• The postmaster reads Lencho's letter.
• Initially amused, the postmaster decides to help maintain Lencho's faith.
• The postmaster and his colleagues contribute to collecting money for Lencho.
• A total of 70 pesos is collected.
• The money is sent to Lencho in an envelope, appearing as a response from God.
• Lencho isn't surprised to receive the money.
• Lencho gets angry upon counting the money, as it's less than his request.
• Lencho writes another letter to God.
• He requests the remaining 30 pesos, asking it not to be sent via mail.
• Lencho suspects post office employees of stealing the missing amount, calling them "a bunch of crooks".
• Key elements include firm belief, hailstorm, ruined crops, 100 pesos requested but 70 pesos received, and distrust.

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

• This chapter is taken from Nelson Mandela's autobiography.
• It describes the time of apartheid in South Africa.
• Nelson Mandela becomes South Africa's first black president.
• The inauguration took place on May 10, 1994
• This event marked the beginning of democracy in South Africa.
• Mandela showed appreciation for freedom fighters.
• He acknowledged the bravery of the people.
• He considered the citizens to be the greatest assets of the country.
• Mandela discusses having obligations to family (wife, parents).
• He also considers his obligations to the community, people, and nation.
• Mandela believes that both oppressors and the oppressed are prisoners.
• Long Walk to Freedom is Nelson Mandela's autobiography.
• Mandela was the first Black president of South Africa.
• The chapter includes descriptions of the inauguration ceremony.
• It also includes excerpts from his speeches.
• The chapter highlights Mandela's journey as a freedom fighter.
• Also covered are his struggles.
• The inauguration ceremony was held at the sandstone amphitheater in Pretoria.
• Many international dignitaries attended the ceremony.
• Mandela assured his countrymen that suppression would end.
• Apartheid began in the 20th century.
• It was introduced by white supremacy.
• It made life difficult for people of color.
• Mandela believes courage means overcoming fear, not lacking fear.
• As an adult, Mandela realized his freedom was an illusion.
• It was clear he was a slave to exploitation.
• The oppressor is not free either.
• Key elements: autobiography, apartheid, first black president, inauguration, freedom fighters, obligations, oppressor and oppressed.

Two Stories About Flying: His First Flight

• The story centers around a young seagull.
• The young seagull fears flying because he doesn't trust his wings.
• His younger siblings can fly confidently, despite having shorter wings.
• His parents try to persuade, scold, and threaten him to fly.
• The parents threaten to leave the seagull alone and hungry if he refuses to fly.
• One day, he's left alone on the ledge.
• The seagull tries to get his family to notice him.
• The seagull’s mother flies towards him with food, then stops.
• Driven by hunger, the young seagull dives for the food and conquers his fear.
• As the seagull dives, he instinctively starts flying.
• The seagull's family rejoices over his victory, cheering and flying around him.
• Important elements: fear of flying, distrust, scolding, hunger, first flight.

Two Stories About Flying: Black Airplane

• Frederick Forsyth, a pilot, is the main character.
• Forsyth is flying from Paris to London and wants to spend the holidays with his family.
• Forsyth sees dark clouds that signal a storm.
• Frederick decides to fly into the storm, motivated by his desire to see his family.
• Inside the storm, the plane's instruments fail.
• Forsyth loses control of the plane.
• Another pilot in a black airplane appears and guides Frederick out of the storm.
• After landing, Forsyth learns that there was no other plane.
• Key elements: Paris to London, black clouds, storm, lost control, black airplane guide, no other plane present.

From the Diary of Anne Frank

• This chapter is from Anne Frank’s diary.
• Anne Frank was a Jewish girl, who was 13 years old.
• Anne had loving parents, a 16-year-old sister, and approximately 30 friends.
• Anne feels lonely, so she begins recording her thoughts and feelings in a diary.
• Anne names her diary "Kitty".
• Anne believes paper is more patient than people.
• Anne begins by providing background information about her life.
• Anne describes her class.
• The students are nervous about their results.
• Despite being confident in her results and those of her friends, she is doubtful about mathematics.
• Anne gets along with all of her teachers, except Mr. Keesing (her math teacher).
• Mr. Keesing is constantly bothered by Anne's talkative nature.
• Mr. Keesing punishes Anne by assigning her essays on strange topics.
• Anne uses wit and humor to respond to the essay topics.
• After her third essay, Mr. Keesing allows her to talk in class.
• Key elements include diary, loneliness, Kitty, paper's patience, Mr. Keesing, and chatterbox.

Glimpses of India: A Baker from Goa

• This story details the importance of bakers in Goan culture.
• During Portuguese rule, loaves of bread were a Goan staple.
• Bakers were known as "Paders" in Goa at that time.
• They were always friends and companions.
• Bakers traditionally came at least twice a day.
• Loaves were delivered to adult servants, and children received bread bangles.
• Special occasions included sweet bread, called "bol".
• Bakers wore a special dress known as the "Kabai."
• Baking was a profitable business in Goa.
• Key Elements: Bakers, Goan culture, Portuguese rule, Paders, Kabai

Glimpses of India: Coorg

• Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka.
• The writer describes it as a heavenly place between Mangalore and Mysore
• The people of Coorg are known to be brave.
• They are possibly of Greek or Arabic ancestry.
• The people of Coorg are known for their hospitality.
• The Coorg Regiment is among the most decorated in the Indian Army.
• General Cariappa, the first chief of the Indian Army, was from Coorg.
• Coorgis are the only people authorized to carry firearms without a license in India.
• The Kaveri river flows through Coorg.
• Hiking, rock climbing, river rafting, and rappelling are popular here.
• Key elements: Smallest district of Karnataka, a heavenly place, brave people, hospitality, Coorg Regiment and General Cariappa

Glimpses of India: Tea from Assam

• This story illustrates the emergence of tea.
• Two friends, Pranjol and Rajvir, travel to Assam.
• Rajvir enjoyed the scenery after the train departed.
• Assam is known as "tea country".
• Tea was first consumed in China in the 16th century.
• Tea reached Europe and was known for its medicinal properties.
• Tea leaves fell into boiling water, improving the flavor.
• A Buddhist cut his eyelids because he kept falling asleep during meditation.
• Tea plants then grew there.
• Tea pluckers carrying bamboo baskets worked in the fields.
• Pranjol’s father was delighted by Rajvir’s tea knowledge.
• Key elements: Tea's history, Assam, association with China’s history, Rajvir and Pranjol.

Mijbil the Otter

• The narrator is traveling to Basra.
• Maxwell wants to have an otter with his friend.
• Maxwell gets the otter as a gift from his friend.
• Maxwell calls the otter "Mijbil".
• Mijbil was covered in mud.
• After washing Mijbil for a month, Maxwell traveled back to London and booked a flight.
• The air crew advised him to keep the otter in his lap.
• Mijbil loved playing with different materials like ping pong balls in London.
• Londoners thought it was a baby seal, squirrel, or hippopotamus.
• People were surprised.
• Key Elements: Given Maxwell, mud-covered, otter is a gift given, travel to London, gaming ping with, surprised people in London.

Madam Rides the Bus

• The story revolves around Velli, eight years old.
• Velli loves to ride the bus.
• She has no close friends.
• She watches people in front of her house.
• Velli planned to ride the bus.
• She lives six miles from town.
• The bus fare is ₹30, and one trip takes 45 minutes.
• She saves money by not buying balloons and peppermints.
• She gets on the bus.
• The conductor is familiar with her.
• He offers her a seat.
• Velli enjoys the green fields and hills.
• She is saddened to see a dead cow.
• She was excited to see it on the first ride.
• She worries.
• She returns home sad.
• She finds her aunt and mother talking about things.
• Key Elements: year sold and riding the bus.

The Sermon at Benares

• Siddhartha Gautama came from a royal family in North India.
• Gautama attended school at age 12.
• Siddhartha married years later, and later had a son.
• Siddhartha saw a sick man, then sought the meaning of existence.
• Siddhartha wandered for years in search of enlightenment.
• He sat under a tree until he achieved enlightenment after seven days of focus.
• He renamed the tree the Bodhi Tree.
• Kisa Gotami lost her son and looked for medicine to revive him.
• Goutami’s search for medicine made her tired.
• People realized she had lost her mind.
• She met someone who advised her to meet Lord Buddha.
• Buddha asked Gotami to get mustard seeds only from a house where there has never been a death.
• It provided her with a great understanding.
• Lord Buddha explained that life includes both sorrow and happiness.
• Key Elements: North to a royal family is the sign of birth sign and death the religious preach.

###. The Proposal

• Checkhov wrote the play about relationships between neighbors.
• One neighbor Lomov visits Chubukov in the evening.
• Chubukov is surprised by Lomov’s formal wear.
• Chubukov assumes Lomov wants money.
• Lomov reveals he is there to propose to Natalya.
• Lomov is 35 years old and suffers some health problems.
• Chubukov agrees to the proposal.
• Natalya is well-educated.
• After the wedding, Lomov and Natalya begin arguing.
• Lomov’s heart starts beating fast, and he leaves.
• Natalya decides to leave her house.
• She behaves as if she were waiting for a longer period.
• They argue about dogs and start accusing each other.
• Natalya says her father gave the daughter's consent.
• They argue on the same terms again.
• Key Elements: Checkhov writes about how neighbors decide is the consent or elements of consent there is another element to be against one by each them.