Class 10 English (First Flight )-Poem -10-The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash
Poem 10 - The Tale of Custard the Dragon
by Ogden Nash
About the Poet
Frederic Ogden Nash (1902-1971) was an American poet was an American poet famous for his light verse. He was known as the producer of humorous poetry. He received Sarah Josepha Hale Award in 1964.
Central Idea of the Poem
‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a funny poem written by Ogden Nash that tells the story of a little girl Belinda and her pets. Belinda lives with her little pets, a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a dragon, in her little house. Belinda and all her pets except the dragon have been described as very brave creatures. Even the mouse and the kitten have been shown to be so brave that they can chase lions but the dragon is such a coward, that it is always looking for the safety of a cage.
The dragon, however, surprised everyone with his heroic act of killing a
pirate, who had come to Belinda’s house and meant harm to her and her pets. All
the bravery of Belinda and rest of her pets failed and they ran screaming for
help but the dragon, whom everyone thought was a coward, rescued them from the
pirate
Simile:- Belinda’s bravery is compared to that of a barrel full of bears (as a barrel full of bears), Mustard’s bravery is compared to that of an angry tiger (Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage)
Assonance:- use of vowel sound ‘a’ (Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears)
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
Summary of the poem
The tale of custard the dragon is a ballad. It is a humorous poem about a cowardly dragon named custard. Custard is a pet of Belinda, a little girl who lives in a little white house with her pets. She had a black kitten named ink, a grey mouse named blink, a yellow dog mustard and a cowardly dragon custard. The poet says that all of them are very brave except the dragon. Others were described as brave and are compared with animals like bear, tiger or lion but the dragon is very timid. He always demands a safe place for himself. All the other characters make fun of him. But one night they are surprised by the entry of a pirate in the house. All of them get frightened and start hiding here and there. But to everyone’s surprise, the dragon not only tackles him but also eats him up. As all of them are saved by custard, they thank him. But at the end, they realize that they used to make fun of the dragon because of his being timid. So, all of them suddenly start saying that they are more brave and could have handled the situation in a much better way. Here the poet has tried to say that sometimes a timid person is the actual hero in the toughest situations of life.
Poem and Explanation
Stanza 1
Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
WORD
MEANINGS
Wagon – a carriage
Realio – really (used in the poem for effect)
Trulio – truly (used in the poem for effect)
Wagon – a carriage
Realio – really (used in the poem for effect)
Trulio – truly (used in the poem for effect)
Exp – The poem
opens with introducing the characters of the poem, namely, Belinda, who lived
in a little white house with her pets and a wagon. Her pets include a black
kitten, a little grey mouse, a little yellow dog, and a little dragon
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme-: aabb (house-mouse, wagon-dragon)
Repetition - use of the word ‘little’
oxymoron - use of two words with opposite meanings ‘ “pet dragon”
Anaphora -repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines. (And a little ….And a realio)
Refrain - Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,)
poetic license - realio, trulio for real, true. The spellings have been changed to create a musical effect
Repetition - use of the word ‘little’
oxymoron - use of two words with opposite meanings ‘ “pet dragon”
Anaphora -repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines. (And a little ….And a realio)
Refrain - Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,)
poetic license - realio, trulio for real, true. The spellings have been changed to create a musical effect
Stanza 2
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
WORD MEANING
Mustard - a yellow coloured flower
Coward- weakling,one who fears a lot
Coward- weakling,one who fears a lot
EXP-The poet explains the name of all the animals that are tamed by Belinda. He says that the name of black kitten is ink. The name of grey mouse is blink. The little yellow dog had yellow colour and so she calls him mustard and the dragon that was a coward means was a weakling was called custard.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme- aabb (ink-blink, mustard-custard)
simile- dog compared to mustard “And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard”
Alliteration:- “coward, and she called him Custard” - “c” sound
Anaphora:- repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines (And the little grey…And the little yellow)
Repetition - use of word little
simile- dog compared to mustard “And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard”
Alliteration:- “coward, and she called him Custard” - “c” sound
Anaphora:- repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines (And the little grey…And the little yellow)
Repetition - use of word little
Stanza 3
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.
WORD MEANINGS
Spikes – sharp pointed structures on the body.
Scales – thin hard plates that covers the body.
Fireplace – the place where fire is burnt to keep the house warm
Chimney – a long pipe that opens on the roof to let out the smoke released from the fireplace.
Scales – thin hard plates that covers the body.
Fireplace – the place where fire is burnt to keep the house warm
Chimney – a long pipe that opens on the roof to let out the smoke released from the fireplace.
Dagger – small sword,A sharp knife
Underneath:- situated directly below
EXP-The poet descrides the dragon that it had big sharp teeth and spikes on top. This means that its skin was pointed on the top. On the lower part it had scales which were bony plates to protect the skin. His mouth has been compared to a fireplace because it is assumed that dragons can release fire from the mouth. Even his nose is compared to a chimney which is used to pass out smoke. His feet are like a sharp knife i.e. a dagger.
Literary Devices:-
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (teeth-underneath, nose-toes)
Simile:- Dragon’s mouth is compared with fireplace (mouth like a fireplace)
Refrain:- Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,)
Metaphor:- “chimney for a nose”. The nose is like a chimney.
Simile:- Dragon’s mouth is compared with fireplace (mouth like a fireplace)
Refrain:- Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,)
Metaphor:- “chimney for a nose”. The nose is like a chimney.
Stanza 4
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
WORD MEANINGS
Barrel – a box (usually used for keeping liquids),drum
Chase – to follow in order to capture,hunt, follow.
Chase – to follow in order to capture,hunt, follow.
Rage – anger
EXP-All the members of the house except custard are very
brave. Belinda’s bravery has been compared to the bravery of many bears
combined together. Ink and Blink, despite being so small in size have the power
to scare and ., chase away someone as strong as a lion. Her dog’s bravery has
been compared to that of a tiger’s anger. But custard is completely opposite to
his physical description and instead of being brave, always looks for a nice
safe cage.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (bears-stairs, rage-cage)
Alliteration:- Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears “b” sound is repeated
Alliteration:- Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears “b” sound is repeated
Assonance:- use of vowel sound ‘a’ (Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears)
Stanza 5
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
WORD MEANINGS
Tickle – to touch (a body part) lightly to cause laughter,stroke, here it means to tease
Unmerciful – cruelly
Rudely – not civil or mannerless
Unmerciful – cruelly
Rudely – not civil or mannerless
Percival:- A knight in King Arthur’s court
EXP-Belinda used to tickle the
dragon without stopping and she did it quite cruelly to make it laugh. It
should be noted here that tickling is a very soft touch on body and it is
related to softness. Since the dragon was such a coward, tickling worked on
him. It does not work on rough bodies; hence it’s another proof of the dragon’s
softness. It was named as Percival by Ink, Blink and Mustard. Seeing the dragon
react to the tickling made all of them laugh and they laughed sitting in the
wagon at the cowardly dragon.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (unmerciful-Percival, wagon-dragon)
Refrain:- Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,)
Repetition:- use of the word ‘tickled him’
Personification:- Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival
Refrain:- Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio,)
Repetition:- use of the word ‘tickled him’
Personification:- Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival
Stanza 6
Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Weeck! which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Weeck! which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
WORD MEANING
Giggle – laughter
Weeck- Here it is the sound made by the mouse
Exp – Belinda
laughed a lot at the dragon, she laughed so hard that it seemed that the house
is shaking due to her laughter. Blink, the mouse used to say ’Week’, which is
the giggling sound for mouse. Ink and Mustard asked dragon’s age to make fun of
him as it shows that the dragon behaved like a small kid would do but he was
not a small kid. Custard just wanted a nice safe cage for himself.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (house-mouse, rage-cage)
Onomatopoeia:- usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (giggled, weeck)
Repetition:- Custard cried for a nice safe cage
Onomatopoeia:- usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (giggled, weeck)
Repetition:- Custard cried for a nice safe cage
Stanza 7
Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around.
Meowch! cried Ink, and ooh! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around.
Meowch! cried Ink, and ooh! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda
WORD MEANINGS
Nasty – bad or unpleasant
Growl – the sound of growling as made by animals,bark
Pirate – dacoit,A person who robs ship in the sea
Growl – the sound of growling as made by animals,bark
Pirate – dacoit,A person who robs ship in the sea
Winda – window:
Exp – while all of them were making fun of the dragon, they heard a sound of someone entering the house. When they looked towards the window they saw a pirate climbing up the wall. The dog barked at him and the kitten meowed to him. Belinda cried ‘ooh’ because all of them were scared of the pirate (who robs ships).
Exp – while all of them were making fun of the dragon, they heard a sound of someone entering the house. When they looked towards the window they saw a pirate climbing up the wall. The dog barked at him and the kitten meowed to him. Belinda cried ‘ooh’ because all of them were scared of the pirate (who robs ships).
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (sound-around, Belinda-winda)
Consonance:- use of consonant sound ‘s’ (Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound)
Onomatopoeia:- usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (Mustard growled, Meowch, cried ink)
Poetic license:- window is written as ‘winda’ to create rhyme.
Consonance:- use of consonant sound ‘s’ (Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound)
Onomatopoeia:- usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (Mustard growled, Meowch, cried ink)
Poetic license:- window is written as ‘winda’ to create rhyme.
Stanza 8
Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good
Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good
WORD MEANINGS
Cutlass – a short sword (very sharp blade)
Meant – intended
Meant – intended
Pistol: a handgun
Exp – The poet describes the appearance of the pirate. He says that the pirate was holding handguns in both his hands and had a little sword too. He was holding his sword with his teeth. He had a black beard and his one leg was made of wood. This means that though the pirate was a disabled person but still he was frightening all the other characters. Moreover, he intended to harm them.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (right- bright, wood- good)
Alliteration:- beard was black “b”, he held his “h”
Imagery:- An image is created about the appearance of the pirate.
Alliteration:- beard was black “b”, he held his “h”
Imagery:- An image is created about the appearance of the pirate.
Stanza 9
Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed
Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed
WORD MEANINGS
Paled – became pale due to fear
Terrified – horrified
Yelp – a short sharpcry
Terrified – horrified
Yelp – a short sharpcry
Trickled – step down,run
Strategically – planning
Mouseholed – holes made by a mouse (it is not a word but has been made into a word to fit the rhyming scheme)
Strategically – planning
Mouseholed – holes made by a mouse (it is not a word but has been made into a word to fit the rhyming scheme)
Exp – When all of them saw the pirate they got frightened. Belinda was so frightened that she turned yellow due to fear and started crying for help. Mustard the dog started crying for help too. The kitten ink ran down towards the bottom of the house as if he had already planned for it. The mouse ink ran into his little mouse hole in order to save himself.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (help-yelp, household – mousehold)
Repetition:- help help
Poetic license:- use of the word mousehold to rhyme with household
Repetition:- help help
Poetic license:- use of the word mousehold to rhyme with household
Stanza 10
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
WORD MEANINGS
Snorting – huge sound made through nose
Clashed – strike,fought
Dungeon – an underground prison
Clatter and a clank and a jangling – sounds of two metal striking
Squirm – to move in a twisted manner
Snorting – huge sound made through nose
Clashed – strike,fought
Dungeon – an underground prison
Clatter and a clank and a jangling – sounds of two metal striking
Squirm – to move in a twisted manner
Robin – a bird
Exp – When all the other characters that were earlier defined as very brave got frightened, the dragon did the most unexpected thing. He jumped onto the pirate and made such a strong sound with his nose as if the engine was producing a sound. Not only this, he hit his tail on the ground with great force that it produced a heavy sound of metal being rubbed against each other in the underground prisons. He attacked the pirate just like robin bird that attacks the worms.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (engine-dungeon, squirm-worm)
Simile:- sound of dragon is compared with sound of engine (snorting like an engine), Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, dragon’s attack on pirate is compared to robin bird (like a robin at a worm)
Onomatopoeia:- usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (clatter, clank, jangling)
Imagery:- The attack by the dragon is expressed in a way to make an image in our minds.
Simile:- sound of dragon is compared with sound of engine (snorting like an engine), Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, dragon’s attack on pirate is compared to robin bird (like a robin at a worm)
Onomatopoeia:- usage of sound words to create a dramatic effect (clatter, clank, jangling)
Imagery:- The attack by the dragon is expressed in a way to make an image in our minds.
Stanza 11
The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two bullets, but they didn’t hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.
The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two bullets, but they didn’t hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.
WORD MEANINGS
Gaped – watch,stare
Gulped – swallowed
Grog – wine,a drink
Flagon – a flask, a container made of silver in which drink is stored
Gaped – watch,stare
Gulped – swallowed
Grog – wine,a drink
Flagon – a flask, a container made of silver in which drink is stored
Gobble – eat, swallowed hurriedly
Exp – The pirate got so shocked by the dragon’s reaction that he opened his mouth wide with shock. To gather some strength, he drank some alcohol from a container in his pocket. After gathering some courage, he fired two bullets on the dragon but missed it. Custard the dragon ate every bit of this fierce-looking pirate.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (dragon-flagon, hit-bit)
alliteration:- gulped some grog “g”
Imagery:- They have shown the reaction and actions made by the pirate on seeing the dragon.
alliteration:- gulped some grog “g”
Imagery:- They have shown the reaction and actions made by the pirate on seeing the dragon.
Stanza 12
Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him,
No one mourned for his pirate victim.
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate
Around the dragon that ate the pirate.
No one mourned for his pirate victim.
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate
Around the dragon that ate the pirate.
WORD MEANINGS
Embrace – to hug
Licked – to touch with tongue
Mourn – to grieve
Victim – one who suffers
Glee – happiness,delight
Licked – to touch with tongue
Mourn – to grieve
Victim – one who suffers
Glee – happiness,delight
Gyrate – circular movements,danced
Exp – When the pirate was dead, Belinda hugged the dragon and mustard licked him. No one was sad for the death of the pirate, they all were happy. Both ink and blink were running around the dragon in happiness. So, here the poet says that all the characters were happy and they were showing their gratitude towards the dragon as he had saved them.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (him-victim, gyrate-pirate)
alliteration:- glee did gyrate “g”
Assonance:- use of vowel sound ‘o’ (no one mourned for), use of vowel sound ‘I’ (ink and blink in glee did), use of vowel sound ‘a’ (that ate the pirate)
alliteration:- glee did gyrate “g”
Assonance:- use of vowel sound ‘o’ (no one mourned for), use of vowel sound ‘I’ (ink and blink in glee did), use of vowel sound ‘a’ (that ate the pirate)
Stanza 13
But presently up spoke little dog Mustard,
I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.
And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,
We’d have been three times as brave, we think,
And Custard said, I quite agree
That everybody is braver than me.
But presently up spoke little dog Mustard,
I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.
And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,
We’d have been three times as brave, we think,
And Custard said, I quite agree
That everybody is braver than me.
WORD MEANINGS
Flustered – to get nervous,upset
Quite – completely
Exp – After they thanked and showed their love towards the dragon, they changed their mind. They were reminded of how they used to make fun of this coward dragon and now they all were praising him. So at once the dog said that it was just because of some confusion that he wasn’t able to do anything otherwise he would have been twice as brave as custard. Both ink and blink also said that they would have been three times braver than custard. To this, the dragon said that he fully agreed to this that all of them were more powerful and braver than him.
Literary Devices:
Rhyme scheme:- aabb (mustard-flustered, blink-ink, agree-me)
Stanza 14
Belinda still lives in her little white house,
With her little black kitten and her little grey mouse,
And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon,
And her realio, trulio little pet dragon.
Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs,
Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage
Belinda still lives in her little white house,
With her little black kitten and her little grey mouse,
And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon,
And her realio, trulio little pet dragon.
Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs,
Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage
Exp – At last, the poet used the same lines again to show that after this terrific episode in which the dragon was the hero where all the other characters still undermined him by saying that they were more powerful than him and could have handled the situation in a much better way, the poet says that life started again in the same manner. Belinda still lives in that little white house with ink, blink, mustard and custard and all of them are very brave whereas the dragon is still a coward who always wants to stay safe in his cage.
Literary Devices
Refrain:-Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio)
Repetition:- stanza has been repeated
Repetition:- stanza has been repeated
Question and Answers (From text Book)
Q1- Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Ans- Following are the characters of the poem:
- A little girl named Belinda.
- A little black kitten whose name is ink.
- A little gray mouse named blink.
- A dog named mustard because he is yellow in colour.
- A coward dragon whose name is Custard.
Q2- Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?
Ans- Custard cries for a safe cage because he is A coward. He is called cowardly dragon because other characters are defined to be very brave in the following manner:
- Belinda is described to be as brave as a barrel full of bears
- Ink and blink can chase lions down the stairs
- Mustard was as brave as a tiger in rage.
Q3- “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why?
Ans- Belinda tickled him unmerciful because custard the dragon was a coward. He always demanded a safe cage. That is why all of them made fun of him.
Q4- The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon” — the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?
Ans- The poet has used many poetic devices to enhance the beauty of the poem. Like, to create rhyme with ‘Belinda’, he used the word ‘winda’ instead of ‘window’. Other such rhyming words are ‘household’ used with ‘mouseholed’ and ‘wagon’ with ‘dragon’. Not only this, he also uses poetic device of repetition for example the word ‘little’ is used many times to describe her house and her pets. There is also the use of poetic device of refrain because we can see the repetition of line “And her realio, trulio little pet dragon” in many stanzas.
Q5- Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon?
Ans- The looks of the dragon are explained in a way that it has big sharp teeth and spikes on top. This means its skin is pointed on the top. On the lower part it has scales which are bony plates meant to protect the skin. His mouth has been compared to a fireplace because it is assumed that the dragons can release fire from the mouth. Even his nose is compared to a chimney which is used to pass out the smoke. His feet are like a sharp knife i.e. a dagger.
Q6- Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Ans- Rhyme scheme of the second and third stanza is aabb.
Q7-- Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?
Ans- Following are the words used to give us picture or image:
- Mouth like a fireplace
- Chimney for nose
- Barrel full of bears
- Brave as a tiger in the rage
- He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm
Q8- Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
Ans- The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a light hearted poem. All the characters have names which are rhyming with each other. They all are defined to be very brave except the dragon. But in reality the dragon proves to be the real hero. When they are attacked by the pirate, the dragon gulps him. Though all the other characters were not brave enough to handle the pirate but still they define themselves as more powerful than the dragon after the incident is handled by the dragon alone. Though, the dragon was defined as a coward by the poet right from the beginning of the poem.
EXTRA QUESTIONS BASED ON POEM
Extract
Based Questions
Read the lines given below and answer
the questions that follow:
Question 1.
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
(a) Here ‘she’ refers to ………..
(b) Belinda did not live with the ………….
(c) Actually the dragon was not ……..
(d) The yellow dog was …………..
Answer: (a) Belinda.
(b) green parrot.
(c) coward.
(d) sharp as mustard.
Question 1.
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
(a) Here ‘she’ refers to ………..
(b) Belinda did not live with the ………….
(c) Actually the dragon was not ……..
(d) The yellow dog was …………..
Answer: (a) Belinda.
(b) green parrot.
(c) coward.
(d) sharp as mustard.
Question 2.
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.
(a) Who was Custard ?
(b) What was beneath his body ?
(c) How does his nose looked like ?
(d) Which poetic device is used in the above lines ?
Answer: Custard was dragon.
(b) There were scales beneath his body.
(c) His nose looked like chimney.
(d) Simile
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.
(a) Who was Custard ?
(b) What was beneath his body ?
(c) How does his nose looked like ?
(d) Which poetic device is used in the above lines ?
Answer: Custard was dragon.
(b) There were scales beneath his body.
(c) His nose looked like chimney.
(d) Simile
Question 3. . Belinda tickled him, she tickled him
unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
(a) Who is Belinda ?
(b) How did Belinda and the other pets laugh at the dragon ?
(c) Which word in this extract means the same as ‘unkind’ ?
(d) Name the poem and the poet.
OR
(a) With whom was Belinda unmerciful ?
(b) Who are Ink and Blink ?
(c) Why did they make fun of the dragon ?
(d) What was the colour of the wagon.
Answer: (a) Belinda is a little girl who lived in a little white house and had a dog, a kitten, a mouse and a dragon for a pet. She also had a red wagon.
(b) Belinda was a brave girl and so were her pets-Ink, the kitten, Blink, the mouse and mustard, her dog. But custard, the dragon, though fierce looking was extremely timid and cowardly and so the others ridiculed him and laughed at the dragon.
(c) ‘Unmerciful’ means unkind.
(d) The Poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is written ‘Ogden Nash’
OR
(a) Custard.
(b) Ink is a cat and Blink is a rat.
(c) They made fun of the dragon because he was very cowardly.
(d) Red
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
(a) Who is Belinda ?
(b) How did Belinda and the other pets laugh at the dragon ?
(c) Which word in this extract means the same as ‘unkind’ ?
(d) Name the poem and the poet.
OR
(a) With whom was Belinda unmerciful ?
(b) Who are Ink and Blink ?
(c) Why did they make fun of the dragon ?
(d) What was the colour of the wagon.
Answer: (a) Belinda is a little girl who lived in a little white house and had a dog, a kitten, a mouse and a dragon for a pet. She also had a red wagon.
(b) Belinda was a brave girl and so were her pets-Ink, the kitten, Blink, the mouse and mustard, her dog. But custard, the dragon, though fierce looking was extremely timid and cowardly and so the others ridiculed him and laughed at the dragon.
(c) ‘Unmerciful’ means unkind.
(d) The Poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is written ‘Ogden Nash’
OR
(a) Custard.
(b) Ink is a cat and Blink is a rat.
(c) They made fun of the dragon because he was very cowardly.
(d) Red
Question 4. Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his
right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good.
(a) Who held the pistols ?
(b) What did the dragon do to him ?
(c) What does the expression ‘the pirate meant no good’ convey ?
(d) Which word means the same as ‘thief’ ?
OR
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) Who is ‘he’ in the second line ?
(c) What was wrong with his one leg ?
(d) What did he hold in both hands ?
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good.
(a) Who held the pistols ?
(b) What did the dragon do to him ?
(c) What does the expression ‘the pirate meant no good’ convey ?
(d) Which word means the same as ‘thief’ ?
OR
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) Who is ‘he’ in the second line ?
(c) What was wrong with his one leg ?
(d) What did he hold in both hands ?
Answer: (a) the pirate.
(b) ate him.
(c) that he was going to do some harm.
(d) Pirate.
OR
(a) ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ by Ogden Nash.
(b) the pirate.
(c) It was made of wood.
(d) Pistol in right and left hand
(b) ate him.
(c) that he was going to do some harm.
(d) Pirate.
OR
(a) ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ by Ogden Nash.
(b) the pirate.
(c) It was made of wood.
(d) Pistol in right and left hand
Question 5. Belinda paled, and she cried Help ! Help
!
But Mustard fled with terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mousehold.
But Mustard fled with terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mousehold.
(a) Why did Belinda cry for help ?
(b) What did Mustard, Ink and Blink do ?
(c) Name the rhyme scheme of the stanza.
(d) Which poetic device is used in the passage ?
Answer: (a) Because a pirate had broken into her house.
(b) They all ran away in fear at the sight of the pirate.
(c) a a b b.
(d) Alliteration
(b) What did Mustard, Ink and Blink do ?
(c) Name the rhyme scheme of the stanza.
(d) Which poetic device is used in the passage ?
Answer: (a) Because a pirate had broken into her house.
(b) They all ran away in fear at the sight of the pirate.
(c) a a b b.
(d) Alliteration
Question 6. The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon.
He fired two bullets but they didn’t hit,
And custard gobbled him every bit.
(a) What was the pet name of Belinda’s dragon ?
(b) What did the pirate do when he gaped at Belinda’s dragon ?
(c) ‘Gobbled’ means …………
(d) How many bullets did he fire ?
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon.
He fired two bullets but they didn’t hit,
And custard gobbled him every bit.
(a) What was the pet name of Belinda’s dragon ?
(b) What did the pirate do when he gaped at Belinda’s dragon ?
(c) ‘Gobbled’ means …………
(d) How many bullets did he fire ?
Answer: (a) Custard.
(b) The Pirate drank some wine from a bottle that he carried in his pocket while watching the dragon.
(c) swallowed.
(d) Two bullets.
(b) The Pirate drank some wine from a bottle that he carried in his pocket while watching the dragon.
(c) swallowed.
(d) Two bullets.
Question 7. Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked
him, No one mourned for his pirate victim.
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate Around the dragon that ate the pirate.
(a) In glee did gyrate means that ……………
(b) Everyone embraced Custard because ……………
(c) Name the bravest creature who saved every body in Belinda’s house ?
(d) Which word means the same as ‘hug’ ?
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate Around the dragon that ate the pirate.
(a) In glee did gyrate means that ……………
(b) Everyone embraced Custard because ……………
(c) Name the bravest creature who saved every body in Belinda’s house ?
(d) Which word means the same as ‘hug’ ?
Answer: (a) they danced happily circular
movement.
(b) he killed the pirate.
(c) Custard the dragon
(d) Embraced
OR
(a) Whom did Bilenda embrace ?
(b) What did the dragon do ?
(c) The word mourned means ………..
(d) Name the poem and the poet.
(a) Bilenda embraced Custard, the dragon.
(b) He gobbled the Pirate and Killed him.
(c) Mourned means to grieve.
(d) The poem ‘The Tale of custard the Dragon’ is written by Ogden Nash
OR
(a) Who does him stand for in the first line ?
(b) Who is the victim ?
(c) Rhyme scheme of the stanza is …………
(d) Which word means the same as culprit ?
(a) Custard-dragon
(b) Pirate
(c) aabb
(d) Victim
(b) he killed the pirate.
(c) Custard the dragon
(d) Embraced
OR
(a) Whom did Bilenda embrace ?
(b) What did the dragon do ?
(c) The word mourned means ………..
(d) Name the poem and the poet.
(a) Bilenda embraced Custard, the dragon.
(b) He gobbled the Pirate and Killed him.
(c) Mourned means to grieve.
(d) The poem ‘The Tale of custard the Dragon’ is written by Ogden Nash
OR
(a) Who does him stand for in the first line ?
(b) Who is the victim ?
(c) Rhyme scheme of the stanza is …………
(d) Which word means the same as culprit ?
(a) Custard-dragon
(b) Pirate
(c) aabb
(d) Victim
Short
Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Describe the appearance of the dragon ?
Answer: Custard, the dragon had a formidable appearance, with sharp teeth, toes like daggers, spikes on back and scales on the belly. Its mouth was a fireplace and the nose was always fuming like a chimney. However, in sharp contrast to the appearance its temperature was extremely timid.
Answer: Custard, the dragon had a formidable appearance, with sharp teeth, toes like daggers, spikes on back and scales on the belly. Its mouth was a fireplace and the nose was always fuming like a chimney. However, in sharp contrast to the appearance its temperature was extremely timid.
Question 2. Is there a hidden message that the poet
is wishing to convey or do you think that entertainment is the sole purpose of
writing this poem ?
Answer: The interpretation of the message in the
poem may vary for different readers. The situation narrated underscores a basic
truth that the real test of courage is during a crisis. The dragon though never
put his strength on display but exhibited it in action when it was required to
do so.
Question 3. What do you think changed the attitude
of the other animals and that of Belinda towards the dragon ?
Answer: The dragon, Custard, initially commanded no amount of respect from Belinda and the other pets, on account of its cowardice; but when the house was attacked by an armed pirate and all others panicked and ran for shelter, the dragon savagely attacked the pirate and ate it up. Thus, the other animals realised his worth and came to respect him genuinely.
Answer: The dragon, Custard, initially commanded no amount of respect from Belinda and the other pets, on account of its cowardice; but when the house was attacked by an armed pirate and all others panicked and ran for shelter, the dragon savagely attacked the pirate and ate it up. Thus, the other animals realised his worth and came to respect him genuinely.
Question 4. Where did Belinda live and with whom?
Answer: Belinda lived in a little white house with her four pets and a wagon. She had a black kitten named Ink, a grey mouse named Blink, a yellow dog named Mustard and a coward dragon named Custard.
Answer: Belinda lived in a little white house with her four pets and a wagon. She had a black kitten named Ink, a grey mouse named Blink, a yellow dog named Mustard and a coward dragon named Custard.
Question 5. What did Custard look like?
Answer: Custard looked really dangerous with spikes on his top and scales underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace and nose like a chimney. His toes looked like daggers.
Answer: Custard looked really dangerous with spikes on his top and scales underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace and nose like a chimney. His toes looked like daggers.
Question 6. Did Custard match his physical
appearance?
Answer: No. Custard barely matched his appearance as he looked ferocious but he actually was a coward. He always cried for a nice and safe cage and everyone laughed at him for his cowardice.
Answer: No. Custard barely matched his appearance as he looked ferocious but he actually was a coward. He always cried for a nice and safe cage and everyone laughed at him for his cowardice.
Question 7. Describe the bravery of everyone in the
house.
Answer: Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears. Ink and Blink were brave enough to chase lions away. Mustard’s bravery was like a tiger’s rage. It was only Custard, who was a coward, everyone else was very brave.
Answer: Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears. Ink and Blink were brave enough to chase lions away. Mustard’s bravery was like a tiger’s rage. It was only Custard, who was a coward, everyone else was very brave.
Question 8. Was everyone really as brave as they
claimed?
Answer: Belinda and her three pets, excluding Custard, were very proud of their bravery but they were not really brave. It was only Custard, who had the courage to face the pirate so he was the real brave.
Answer: Belinda and her three pets, excluding Custard, were very proud of their bravery but they were not really brave. It was only Custard, who had the courage to face the pirate so he was the real brave.
Question 9. What did everyone do when the pirate
came?
Answer: When the pirate came, Belinda cried for help and became pale with fear. Mustard ran away with a terrified cry and Ink trickled to the bottom of the house while Blink disappeared in his mouse hole. Custard jumped in front of the Pirate to fight him.
Answer: When the pirate came, Belinda cried for help and became pale with fear. Mustard ran away with a terrified cry and Ink trickled to the bottom of the house while Blink disappeared in his mouse hole. Custard jumped in front of the Pirate to fight him.
Question 10. How did Custard face the pirate?
Answer: Custard jumped in front of the pirate to fight him. The pirate fired two bullets at him but missed both of them. Then Custard gobbled whole of the pirate and left no trace of him.
Answer: Custard jumped in front of the pirate to fight him. The pirate fired two bullets at him but missed both of them. Then Custard gobbled whole of the pirate and left no trace of him.
Question 11. ‘But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
’ Who is Custard? Why did he cry for a ‘nice safe cage’?
Answer: Custard is Belinda’s pet Dragon. He cried for a nice safe cage because he was a coward, who feared easily and looked for comfort and safety of himself.
Answer: Custard is Belinda’s pet Dragon. He cried for a nice safe cage because he was a coward, who feared easily and looked for comfort and safety of himself.
Question 12 How did everyone react after Custard
ate the pirate?
Answer: Belinda embraced Custard because he had saved everyone by killing the pirate. Mustard licked him to show his affection while Ink and Blink started dancing around Custard out of happiness.
Answer: Belinda embraced Custard because he had saved everyone by killing the pirate. Mustard licked him to show his affection while Ink and Blink started dancing around Custard out of happiness.
Question 13. How did the other three pet boast of
their bravery?
Answer: After Mustard, Ink and Blink fled on seeing the pirate, it was Custard, who fought him and killed him. The other pets soon made excuses for their cowardice and said that they would have been twice and thrice as brave as Custard.
Answer: After Mustard, Ink and Blink fled on seeing the pirate, it was Custard, who fought him and killed him. The other pets soon made excuses for their cowardice and said that they would have been twice and thrice as brave as Custard.
Question 14. Did Custard accept his cowardice and
their bravery?
Answer: Yes, Custard seemed like a really humble animal as even after killing the pirate he accepted that he is a coward and everyone else is braver than him
Answer: Yes, Custard seemed like a really humble animal as even after killing the pirate he accepted that he is a coward and everyone else is braver than him
Long
Answer Type Question
Question 1. ‘Bravery is spontaneous’ Explain with
reference to the poem.
Answer: Custard was truly brave and did not boast like Belinda and her other pets. Custard had the courage to face real danger, whereas everyone only boasted of their bravery. Custard faced the pirate and killed him, and he proved it by not running away. Bravery and courage are qualities which are, exhibited when someone actually faces a dangerous situation. Thus these qualities are spontaneous, taking the example of custard.
Answer: Custard was truly brave and did not boast like Belinda and her other pets. Custard had the courage to face real danger, whereas everyone only boasted of their bravery. Custard faced the pirate and killed him, and he proved it by not running away. Bravery and courage are qualities which are, exhibited when someone actually faces a dangerous situation. Thus these qualities are spontaneous, taking the example of custard.
Question 2. The dragon, custard was considered a
coward. The humble dragon proved his bravery in adversity. Analyse that certain
qualities like bravery and courage are situational and spontaneous. Express
your views with reference to the poem.
Answer: Custard’s humbleness won every reader’s heart as he showed true bravery and did not boast like Belinda and her other pets. Everyone boasted of their bravery but when they faced real danger, it was only Custard, who had the courage to face it. And he proved his bravery by not running away and facing the pirate and killing him. Qualities like bravery and courage can only be tested when someone is actually put in a dangerous situation. Therefore, these qualities are situational as becomes clear from Custard’s example. Custard looked for comfort all the time but this did not mean that he was a coward.
Answer: Custard’s humbleness won every reader’s heart as he showed true bravery and did not boast like Belinda and her other pets. Everyone boasted of their bravery but when they faced real danger, it was only Custard, who had the courage to face it. And he proved his bravery by not running away and facing the pirate and killing him. Qualities like bravery and courage can only be tested when someone is actually put in a dangerous situation. Therefore, these qualities are situational as becomes clear from Custard’s example. Custard looked for comfort all the time but this did not mean that he was a coward.
Question 3. Do you think that one should be made fun
of because of their’preferences and choices in life? Explain in the context of
Custard, the dragon.
Answer: It is not right to make fun of anyone on the basis of their life style and their choices. Custard, the dragon, always wanted comfort and safety for him and therefore always cried for a nice safe cage. Belinda and other pets of the house made fun of him because they thought that he was a coward. Custard proved that just because he likes comfort, he is not a coward. In fact, he was the only one, who had the courage to face the pirate and kill him.
Answer: It is not right to make fun of anyone on the basis of their life style and their choices. Custard, the dragon, always wanted comfort and safety for him and therefore always cried for a nice safe cage. Belinda and other pets of the house made fun of him because they thought that he was a coward. Custard proved that just because he likes comfort, he is not a coward. In fact, he was the only one, who had the courage to face the pirate and kill him.
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