The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Thinking About the Poem
1. Who are the characters in the poem? Name Belinda’s pets.
Answer: The main characters are Belinda and her four pets:
- Ink – a little black kitten
- Blink – a little grey mouse
- Mustard – a little yellow dog
- Custard – a dragon
They all lived together in Belinda’s little white house.
2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why was he called a “cowardly dragon”?
Answer: Custard always asked for a nice safe cage because he appeared to be timid and easily frightened.
The other pets constantly boasted about their bravery, while Custard seemed fearful. Therefore, they called him a “cowardly dragon”.
However, when real danger came in the form of a pirate, Custard proved that he was actually the bravest of them all.
3. Why did Belinda tickle Custard unmercifully?
Answer: Belinda tickled Custard because she and the other pets made fun of his fearful nature.
They laughed at him for always asking for a safe cage and treated him as a coward.
4. What poetic devices are used in the poem?
Answer: The poet uses several poetic devices to make the poem lively and humorous.
Simile
- Belinda is compared to a barrel full of bears.
- Mustard is compared to a tiger in anger.
- Custard’s mouth is compared to a fireplace.
- His tail is compared to iron in a dungeon.
- Custard attacks the pirate like a robin attacking a worm.
Metaphor
- Custard’s nose is described as a chimney.
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds adds rhythm and musical quality.
Repetition
Certain words and structures are repeated to make the poem playful and memorable.
Humour and Exaggeration
The exaggerated descriptions of bravery and fear create a comic effect.
5. How does the poet describe Custard’s appearance?
Answer: Custard is described as a fierce-looking dragon.
He has:
- big sharp teeth,
- spikes on top of his body,
- scales underneath,
- a mouth like a fireplace,
- a nose like a chimney,
- and sharp toes like daggers.
Although his appearance is frightening, he behaves timidly at first.
6. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Answer: The poem generally follows the rhyme scheme:
AABB
This regular rhyme gives the poem a light, musical and ballad-like quality.
7. What images are used in the poem?
Answer: The poet uses several vivid images, such as:
- Custard’s mouth like a fireplace,
- his nose like a chimney,
- Belinda as brave as a barrel full of bears,
- Mustard as brave as a tiger in rage,
- Custard attacking the pirate like a robin at a worm,
- and Custard’s tail compared to iron in a dungeon.
These images make the characters easy to imagine and add humour to the poem.
8. Is “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” a serious or light-hearted poem?
Answer: It is mainly a light-hearted and humorous poem.
The funny names of the pets, exaggerated comparisons, regular rhyme and playful descriptions create a comic mood.
The greatest irony is that those who constantly boast about being brave run away when the pirate appears, while Custard, whom everyone calls a coward, faces the danger.
9. Why is the poem ironic?
Answer: The poem is ironic because the characters who claim to be brave fail to act bravely when real danger appears.
Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard all boast about their courage, but they run away or hide when the pirate enters.
Custard, who is regularly mocked for being a coward, is the only one who fights the pirate and saves everyone.
Additional Questions and Answers
10. Where did Belinda live and with whom?
Answer: Belinda lived in a little white house with her four pets—Ink, Blink, Mustard and Custard.
11. How did Belinda and her pets react when they saw the pirate?
Answer: They became frightened.
Belinda turned pale and cried for help. Mustard ran away, Ink hid, and Blink disappeared into his mouse hole.
Only Custard remained and faced the pirate bravely.
12. Why did Belinda cry for help?
Answer: Belinda cried for help because a dangerous pirate had entered the house carrying weapons.
She became frightened when she saw him.
13. Describe the fight between Custard and the pirate.
Answer: When the pirate entered Belinda’s house, everyone except Custard ran away or hid.
Custard rushed towards the pirate fearlessly. The pirate fired two bullets at him, but they missed.
Custard continued his attack and finally defeated the pirate.
Thus, the dragon who had always been called a coward proved to be the true hero.
14. How did Custard save Belinda and the other pets?
Answer: Custard saved everyone by facing the pirate alone.
While Belinda and the other pets were too frightened to fight, Custard attacked the pirate despite the danger.
The pirate fired at him but failed to stop him. Custard defeated the pirate and removed the threat from the house.
15. How was Custard treated after he defeated the pirate?
Answer: After Custard defeated the pirate, everyone praised him.
Belinda hugged him, Mustard showed affection, and Ink and Blink celebrated around him.
For a short time, they recognised Custard as the real hero.
16. Why is Custard the real hero of the poem?
Answer: Custard is the real hero because he acts bravely when real danger appears.
The other characters only talk about being brave, but Custard proves his courage through action.
He protects Belinda and the others by facing the pirate alone.
17. What was Mustard like?
Answer: Mustard was Belinda’s little yellow dog.
He was described as very brave and was compared to a tiger in rage. However, when the pirate actually appeared, he ran away in fear.
18. Who was Ink?
Answer: Ink was Belinda’s little black kitten.
19. Who was Blink?
Answer: Blink was Belinda’s little grey mouse.
20. What was the dragon called?
Answer: The dragon was called Custard.
21. Why did the other pets make fun of Custard?
Answer: They made fun of Custard because he repeatedly asked for a safe cage and appeared frightened easily.
They considered themselves brave and looked down upon him as a coward.
22. What happened to the pirate?
Answer: The pirate was defeated by Custard during the fight.
23. Why did the pirate drink some grog?
Answer: The pirate drank some grog to gather courage before fighting Custard.
24. What does “realio, trulio” mean?
Answer: It means really and truly.
The playful expression fits the humorous tone of the poem.
25. What is the central idea of the poem?
Answer: The poem shows that true courage is proved through actions rather than words.
The characters who boast about being brave fail when faced with real danger, while Custard, who is mocked as a coward, becomes the real hero.
26. What message does the poem convey?
Answer: The poem teaches us not to judge people only by appearances or by what others say about them.
A person who seems timid may show great courage when it is truly needed, while those who boast about bravery may fail in a difficult situation.
Long Answer Questions
27. Give a character sketch of Custard.
Answer: Custard is the most interesting character in the poem.
At first, he appears timid and continuously asks for a safe cage. Because of this, Belinda and the other pets laugh at him and call him a coward.
His appearance, however, is very fierce. He has sharp teeth, spikes, scales, a fiery mouth and dagger-like toes.
When a pirate enters the house, Custard’s true character is revealed. While everyone else runs away, he courageously attacks the pirate.
Therefore, Custard proves that real bravery does not lie in boasting. It is shown through courageous action in moments of danger.
28. Describe the contrast between Custard and the other characters.
Answer: Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard constantly boast about their bravery, while Custard is mocked for being fearful.
However, when the pirate appears, their behaviour changes completely. Belinda becomes frightened, Mustard runs away, Ink hides and Blink disappears into a hole.
Custard, on the other hand, immediately faces the pirate and defeats him.
The contrast shows that outward confidence and boasting are not the same as real courage.
29. How does Ogden Nash use humour in the poem?
Answer: Ogden Nash creates humour through funny names, exaggerated comparisons, playful rhymes and unexpected behaviour.
Characters are described as extremely brave in ridiculous ways, while Custard is repeatedly called a coward.
The greatest humour comes from the reversal at the end: the supposedly brave characters run away, and the cowardly dragon becomes the hero.
The light rhythm and comic expressions also make the poem entertaining.
Rhyming Words
30. Find words that rhyme with the following:
(a) Rage — Cage
(b) House — Mouse
(c) Bright — Right
(d) Sound — Around
Writing
31. Write a short ballad with a simple story.
The Brave Little Bird
A little bird sat on a tree,
Afraid to cross the shining sea,
The wind blew soft, the morning bright,
Yet still it feared to take its flight.
A storm then rose across the sky,
The little bird knew it must fly,
It spread its wings and faced the air,
And found that courage waited there.
It crossed the storm and reached the shore,
No longer frightened as before,
And from that day it understood,
That courage grows when fear is stood.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who is the poet of “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”?
(a) Robert Frost
(b) Ogden Nash
(c) Carl Sandburg
(d) Walt Whitman
Answer: (b) Ogden Nash
2. Where did Belinda live?
(a) In a red house
(b) In a little white house
(c) In a wooden hut
(d) In a palace
Answer: (b) In a little white house
3. What was the name of the little black kitten?
(a) Blink
(b) Ink
(c) Mustard
(d) Custard
Answer: (b) Ink
4. Who was Blink?
(a) A kitten
(b) A grey mouse
(c) A dog
(d) A dragon
Answer: (b) A grey mouse
5. Who was Mustard?
(a) A yellow dog
(b) A grey mouse
(c) A kitten
(d) A dragon
Answer: (a) A yellow dog
6. What was the dragon’s name?
(a) Ink
(b) Blink
(c) Custard
(d) Mustard
Answer: (c) Custard
7. What did Custard constantly ask for?
(a) A forest
(b) A nice safe cage
(c) More food
(d) A friend
Answer: (b) A nice safe cage
8. Who was called cowardly?
(a) Mustard
(b) Ink
(c) Blink
(d) Custard
Answer: (d) Custard
9. Who attacked Belinda’s house?
(a) A tiger
(b) A pirate
(c) A lion
(d) A soldier
Answer: (b) A pirate
10. Who faced the pirate bravely?
(a) Ink
(b) Blink
(c) Custard
(d) Mustard
Answer: (c) Custard
11. Who saved everyone from the pirate?
(a) Belinda
(b) Mustard
(c) Custard
(d) Ink
Answer: (c) Custard
12. How many bullets did the pirate fire?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
Answer: (b) Two
13. What happened to the pirate?
(a) He escaped
(b) He defeated Custard
(c) Custard defeated him
(d) He became Belinda’s friend
Answer: (c) Custard defeated him
14. Who proved to be truly brave?
(a) Belinda
(b) Ink
(c) Blink
(d) Custard
Answer: (d) Custard
15. What did the other characters mock Custard for?
(a) His appearance
(b) His cowardice
(c) His size
(d) His colour
Answer: (b) His cowardice
16. Belinda was compared to—
(a) a tiger
(b) a barrel full of bears
(c) a lion
(d) a dragon
Answer: (b) A barrel full of bears
17. Mustard was compared to—
(a) a tiger in rage
(b) a bear
(c) a wolf
(d) a leopard
Answer: (a) A tiger in rage
18. “Mouth like a fireplace” is an example of—
(a) Metaphor
(b) Simile
(c) Personification
(d) Irony
Answer: (b) Simile
19. “Chimney for a nose” is an example of—
(a) Metaphor
(b) Simile
(c) Alliteration
(d) Repetition
Answer: (a) Metaphor
20. What does “realio, trulio” mean?
(a) Slowly
(b) Really and truly
(c) Secretly
(d) Bravely
Answer: (b) Really and truly
21. Why did the pirate drink grog?
(a) To celebrate
(b) To gather courage
(c) To sleep
(d) To hide
Answer: (b) To gather courage
22. Who cried for help when the pirate appeared?
(a) Custard
(b) Belinda
(c) Ink
(d) Blink
Answer: (b) Belinda
23. What did Mustard do when the pirate appeared?
(a) Fought the pirate
(b) Ran away
(c) Hid in a hole
(d) Climbed a tree
Answer: (b) Ran away
24. What did Blink do when the pirate appeared?
(a) Fought him
(b) Ran into a mouse hole
(c) Barked loudly
(d) Helped Custard
Answer: (b) Ran into a mouse hole
25. What did Ink do when the pirate appeared?
(a) Hid away
(b) Attacked the pirate
(c) Called the police
(d) Helped Mustard
Answer: (a) Hid away
26. What is the main message of the poem?
(a) Dragons are always frightening
(b) True courage is shown through action
(c) Pirates are always powerful
(d) Animals should live in cages
Answer: (b) True courage is shown through action
27. What is the general rhyme scheme of the poem?
(a) ABAB
(b) AABB
(c) ABCB
(d) ABBA
Answer: (b) AABB
28. What is the overall tone of the poem?
(a) Tragic
(b) Serious
(c) Light-hearted and humorous
(d) Frightening
Answer: (c) Light-hearted and humorous
29. Who received praise after the pirate was defeated?
(a) Mustard
(b) Ink
(c) Custard
(d) Blink
Answer: (c) Custard
30. What quality does Custard finally prove?
(a) Cleverness only
(b) Real courage
(c) Laziness
(d) Pride
Answer: (b) Real courage
Teacher Generate Question Answer
Q.2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called a “cowardly dragon”?
Ans: Custard cried for a safe cage because he was timid and easily frightened. Unlike the other pets, he felt insecure and wanted protection. He is called a “cowardly dragon” because he appeared fearful and lacked the bravery shown by the other animals in the beginning.
Q.3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?
Ans: Belinda tickled Custard to make fun of him. His fearful nature made him an easy target for teasing, and everyone laughed at his reactions. The tickling highlights how others mocked his apparent cowardice.
Q.4. Identify some poetic devices used in the poem.
Ans: In The Tale of Custard the Dragon, several poetic devices are used:
Repetition: Frequent use of words like “little” to create rhythm.
Simile: Comparisons such as “as brave as a barrel full of bears.”
Metaphor: “Chimney for a nose” suggests the dragon’s fiery nature.
Alliteration: Repetition of similar consonant sounds.
Humour and exaggeration: Used throughout the poem to create a comic effect.
Q.5. How does the poet describe the appearance of the dragon?
Ans: The dragon is described as having sharp teeth, spikes on his back, and a powerful tail. His mouth is compared to a fireplace, suggesting fire-breathing ability, and his nose is like a chimney, indicating smoke. His claws are sharp and strong, giving him a fierce appearance despite his timid behaviour.
Q.6. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Ans: The poem generally follows a rhyme scheme of aa bb, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality.
Q.7. Find some images used in the poem.
Ans: The poet uses vivid imagery to create pictures in the reader’s mind, such as:
“Mouth like a fireplace”
“Chimney for a nose”
“As brave as a barrel full of bears”
“As brave as a tiger in a rage”
These expressions help readers imagine the characters and their qualities clearly.
Q.8. Is the poem serious or light-hearted? Give reasons.
Ans: The poem is light-hearted and humorous. The playful tone, funny descriptions, and exaggerated comparisons make it enjoyable. The poet uses simple language, rhyme, and humour to entertain readers while presenting an ironic contrast between appearance and reality.
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