The Tale of Custard the Dragon | Poem 7 | Poetry | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

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English | Class 10th | Tulip Series |

 

The Tale of Custard the Dragon | Poem 7 | Poetry | Summary | Questions and Answers |

 

The Tale of Custard the Dragon (Ogden Nash)

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 giggled till she shook the house,

And Blink said Wreck! which is giggling for a mouse,

Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,

When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.

 

Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,

And Mustard growled, and they all looked around.

Miaow! cried Ink, and ooh! cried Belinda,

For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.

 

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.

 

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.

 

But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine

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.

 

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.

Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him.

No one mourned for the pirate victim.

Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate

Around the dragon that ate the pirate.

 

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.

 

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.

                                   (Ogden Nash)

 

Idea

Have you ever heard or seen a person who is often teased or looked down upon for being lazy and coward, but who sometimes/later turns out to be courageous or heroic? Read this poem which is a ballad, a poem that narrates a story, about Custard the Dragon who is teased for being a coward but who later proves brave by saving the life of those who used to look down upon him.

 

SHORT SUMMARY

            "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" by Ogden Nash is a humorous poem about a cowardly dragon named Custard who lives with a group of brave pets: Belinda, a little girl; Ink, a black kitten; Blink, a grey mouse; and Mustard, a yellow dog. Despite their constant teasing of Custard for his timidity, when a pirate invades their home, it's Custard who bravely confronts and defeats him, proving his worth. The poem playfully highlights themes of bravery and self-worth, revealing that courage can be found in the most unexpected places.

 

Thinking about the Poem

Question 1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.

Answer: The characters in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" by Ogden Nash and their pet names are:

1. Belinda - the little girl

2. Ink - the black kitten

3. Blink - the grey mouse

4. Mustard - the yellow dog

5. Custard - the cowardly dragon

Question 2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage?

Answer: Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was extremely timid and fearful. Despite being a dragon, a creature typically associated with bravery and strength, Custard felt safer and more secure in a confined and protected environment, reflecting his contrastingly cowardly nature.

Question 3. Why is the dragon called cowardly dragon?

Answer: The dragon is called "cowardly" because, despite being a dragon, he is extremely timid and fearful, preferring safety and avoiding any form of danger or confrontation.

Question 4. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why?

 Answer: Belinda tickled Custard unmercifully because she was teasing him for his cowardice and trying to provoke a reaction, highlighting his fearful and timid nature.

Question 5. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon a serious or funny poem? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Answer: "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a funny poem. It uses humorous contrasts, such as Custard’s cowardice in a family of brave pets, and the playful, exaggerated descriptions of the characters and their actions. The poem’s playful tone and the comical situation of a fearful dragon ultimately saving the day contribute to its light-hearted and amusing nature.

 

Learning about the Literary Device/s

• What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

Answer: The rhyme scheme of "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is **AABB**, meaning that each pair of lines in the poem rhymes. This pattern contributes to the poem's rhythmic and playful quality.

• Pick out the lines from the poem that contain similes.

Answer: In "The Tale of Custard the Dragon," similes used include:

1. "His enemies are fierce and gruff" – This line uses the simile "fierce and gruff" to describe Custard’s enemies in a comparative manner.

2. "Like a giant beast" – This simile compares Custard’s appearance or behaviour to that of a giant beast, adding a humorous exaggeration to his cowardice.

These similes contribute to the whimsical and exaggerated tone of the poem.

• What images does the poet use in the poem?

Answer: In "The Tale of Custard the Dragon," Ogden Nash uses several vivid and whimsical images:

1. Custard’s Fearfulness: Custard the Dragon is depicted as cowardly, preferring safety and a "nice safe cage," contrasting with his fearsome appearance.

2. The Pets: Belinda and her pets are described with playful characteristics—Ink the black kitten, Blink the grey mouse, and Mustard the yellow dog—each with distinct traits that highlight their bravery.

3. Pirate Attack: The image of the pirate with a "whiskery" face and a "cutlass" adds a humorous and exaggerated sense of danger, which contrasts with Custard’s cowardice.

4. Custard’s Bravery: When Custard finally confronts the pirate, he is described with heroic and dramatic imagery, turning his earlier cowardice into a surprising act of bravery.

These images create a humorous and engaging portrayal of the characters and their adventures.

• Which line/stanza is used as a refrain in the poem?

Answer: In "The Tale of Custard the Dragon," the refrain is the repeated line:

"Belinda lived in a little white house / With a little black kitten and a great big grey mouse."

This line is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the setting and the main characters of the story.

 

Suggested Reading

• This is Going to Hurt Just a Little Bit by Ogden Nash

• The Tale of the Melon City by Vikram Seth