The Tale of Custard the Dragon Solutions and Questions & Answers

Content Structure

1. About the author – Ogden Nash
2. Summary of the poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon
3. Word meanings
4. Thinking about the poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon
5. Extra Questions and Answers of the poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon
- 5A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- 5B. Fill in the blanks
- 5C. True and false
- 5D. One-sentence questions and answers
- 5D. Short Questions and Answers
- 5E. Long Questions and Answers

1. About the Author – Ogden Nash

Ogden Nash was a famous American poet best known for his humorous and witty poems. He was born on August 19, 1902, in Rye, New York, United States, and died on May 19, 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Nash became popular for his light-hearted poetry, clever wordplay, unusual rhymes, and humorous observations about everyday life. His poems often combined simple language with sharp humor, making them enjoyable for both children and adults. The Tale of Custard the Dragon is one of his most celebrated poems, in which he uses comedy, irony, and exaggeration to convey the important message that true courage is shown through actions rather than words. His unique style and sense of humor earned him a special place in twentieth-century American literature.

2. Summary of The Tale of Custard the Dragon

The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash is a humorous ballad about Belinda and her four pets—Ink the kitten, Blink the mouse, Mustard the dog, and Custard the dragon. Although Custard looks fierce with his sharp teeth, spikes, and scales, everyone considers him a coward because he constantly asks for a safe cage, while the others boast of their bravery. They often tease and laugh at him for being fearful. However, when a dangerous pirate suddenly enters the house, Belinda and her supposedly brave pets become terrified and run away. At that critical moment, Custard bravely confronts the pirate and swallows him whole, saving everyone. After the danger is over, the others pretend that they would have been even braver if they had not been frightened, while the modest Custard agrees that everyone else is braver than he is. The poem humorously conveys that true courage is revealed in times of danger, and those who boast about their bravery may not be brave when it really matters.

3. Word Meanings

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Coward	A person who lacks courage
Spikes	Sharp pointed projections
Fireplace	A structure where a fire is lit inside a house
Daggers	Short sharp knives
Barrel	A large cylindrical container
Unmerciful	Without showing mercy; excessively
Percival	A name used mockingly to tease Custard
Giggled	Laughed in a silly or light-hearted way
Growled	Made a low threatening sound
Pirate	A robber who attacks ships or coastal areas
Winda	Poetic form of “window” used for rhyme
Cutlass	A short curved sword used by sailors and pirates
Paled	Became pale due to fear
Yelp	A short sharp cry of fear or pain
Strategically	In a planned or clever manner
Mouseholed	Hid in a mouse hole
Snorting	Making a loud breathing sound through the nose
Dungeon	A dark underground prison
Clatter	A loud rattling sound
Clank	A sharp metallic sound

4. Thinking about the poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon

1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Ans: The poem revolves around Belinda and her four pets. Each character has a special name that reflects their personality or species.

Character	Pet Name/Description
Belinda	Little girl
Kitten	Ink
Mouse	Blink
Dog	Mustard
Dragon	Custard

Belinda lives happily with her pets in a little white house. Each pet has a unique personality that contributes to the humorous story of the poem.

2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?
Ans: Custard always cried for a nice safe cage because he was afraid of danger and wanted a secure place where nothing could harm him. Unlike the other pets, who pretended to be brave, Custard openly expressed his fears. Because of this fearful nature, everyone mocked him and called him the “cowardly dragon.”

However, the title is ironic. When the pirate enters the house, the supposedly brave characters become frightened and run away. Custard, who was called a coward, is the only one who faces the pirate and defeats him. Thus, the poem shows that true courage is revealed through actions, not words.

3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?
Ans: Belinda tickled Custard because she found his fearful behaviour amusing. Whenever Custard asked for a safe cage or showed signs of fear, Belinda and the other pets laughed at him. They enjoyed teasing him and making fun of his timid nature. The word “unmerciful” suggests that they teased him continuously without considering his feelings. Ironically, the same Custard later saves them all from the pirate.

4. The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. Can you list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?
Ans: The poet uses several poetic devices to make the poem lively, humorous, and musical.

Poetic Device	Example	Explanation
Simile	“Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon”	Comparison using “like”.
Simile	“Mouth like a fireplace”	Compares Custard’s mouth to a fireplace.
Simile	“Daggers on his toes”	Suggests the sharpness of his claws.
Repetition	“little little”	Creates rhythm and emphasis.
Alliteration	“Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears”	Repetition of the ‘b’ sound.
Alliteration	“Suddenly, suddenly”	Repetition of the ‘s’ sound.
Imagery	Description of the dragon’s teeth, claws, and wings	Creates vivid mental pictures.
Irony	Custard being called cowardly but acting bravely	Contrast between appearance and reality.

5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
Ans: The poet gives a vivid and striking description of Custard. He had large sharp teeth, spikes on his back, and claws that looked like daggers. His mouth was as big and fiery as a fireplace, and smoke came out through his nose. His appearance was frightening and powerful, making him look like a fierce monster. Despite this terrifying appearance, Custard was gentle and timid by nature, which creates humour in the poem.

6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Ans: The rhyme scheme of most stanzas in the poem is AABB.

Stanza 1:
House (A)
Mouse (A)
Dog (B)
Dragon (B)

Stanza 2:
Age (A)
Cage (A)
Wagon (B)
Dragon (B)

Stanza 3:
Toes (A)
Nose (A)
Chimney (B)
Giminy (B)

Thus, the poem follows a regular AABB rhyme scheme, which gives it a ballad-like rhythm and musical quality.

7. 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: Yes, the poet uses many vivid images that help readers imagine the characters and events clearly.

Some important images are:

Custard’s sharp teeth and dagger-like claws.
His mouth like a fireplace.
Smoke coming from his nose.
The pirate with pistols in both hands.
The pirate’s black beard and fierce appearance.
Custard gulping down the pirate.
Mustard chasing the pirate around the room.
Belinda and her pets hiding in fear.

These images make the story lively and easy to visualize.

8. 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 and humorous poem. The poet uses funny descriptions, playful language, and amusing situations throughout the poem. The characters are named Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard, which creates a cheerful atmosphere. The poem humorously portrays a dragon who looks terrifying but behaves timidly.

The greatest source of humour is the irony in the story. The pets constantly boast about their bravery and laugh at Custard for being afraid. However, when a real danger appears in the form of a pirate, they all become frightened and hide. Custard alone confronts the pirate and saves everyone. The contrast between words and actions makes the poem entertaining while also conveying an important lesson about true courage.

9. This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story?
Ans: Yes, many modern songs tell stories just like ballads. One example is “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers. The song narrates the meeting between a traveler and an old gambler who shares life lessons through a memorable conversation. Another example is “Stan” by Eminem, which tells the story of an obsessed fan through letters and narrative lyrics. Such songs combine storytelling with music, making them modern versions of traditional ballads.

5. Extra questions and answers of the poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon

5A. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)

1. Where did Belinda live?
a) In a big castle
b) In a little white house
c) In a wooden hut
d) In a palace

Ans: (b) In a little white house

2. What was the name of Belinda’s black kitten?
a) Blink
b) Mustard
c) Ink
d) Custard

Ans: (c) Ink

3. What was Mustard?
a) A mouse
b) A dragon
c) A cat
d) A dog

Ans: (d) A dog

4. What did Custard always cry for?
a) Food
b) A toy
c) A nice safe cage
d) A friend

Ans: (c) A nice safe cage

5. Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of ________.
a) Tigers
b) Lions
c) Bears
d) Wolves

Ans: (c) Bears

6. Ink and Blink chased ________ down the stairs.
a) Bears
b) Lions
c) Tigers
d) Pirates

Ans: (c) Tigers

7. Mustard was as brave as a ________.
a) Tiger
b) Lion
c) Bear
d) Dragon

Ans: (a) Tiger

8. What came out of Custard’s nose?
a) Water
b) Fire
c) Smoke
d) Steam

Ans: (c) Smoke

9. What appeared suddenly at the door?
a) A thief
b) A tiger
c) A pirate
d) A lion

Ans: (c) A pirate

10. What colour was the pirate’s beard?
a) Brown
b) White
c) Red
d) Black

Ans: (d) Black

11. What happened to Ink and Blink when they saw the pirate?
a) They fought him.
b) They ran away.
c) They laughed.
d) They barked.

Ans: (b) They ran away.

12. Where did Blink hide?
a) In the mouse hole
b) Under the bed
c) On the roof
d) In the kitchen

Ans: (a) In the mouse hole

13. Who faced the pirate bravely?
a) Belinda
b) Ink
c) Mustard
d) Custard

Ans: (d) Custard

14. After the pirate was defeated, who became the hero?
a) Mustard
b) Ink
c) Custard
d) Blink

Ans: (c) Custard

15. What type of poem is “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”?
a) Sonnet
b) Ode
c) Ballad
d) Elegy

Ans: (c) Ballad

5B. Fill in the Blanks

1. Belinda lived in a little white ________. (house)
2. Belinda had a little black kitten named ________. (Ink)
3. The little grey mouse was called ________. (Blink)
4. Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of ________. (bears)
5. Ink and Blink chased lions down the ________. (stairs)
6. Mustard was as brave as a ________. (tiger)
7. Custard had big sharp ________. (teeth)
8. Belinda paled and cried for ________. (help)
9. Ink trickled down to the bottom of the ________. (household)
10. Blink went into his little ________. (mousehole)
11. Mustard fled with a terrified ________. (yelp)
12. Custard jumped up, snorting like an ________. (engine)
13. Custard went at the pirate like a ________. (robin)
14. The pirate gaped at Belinda’s ________. (dragon)
15. Custard gobbled the pirate every bit, leaving only his ________. (pistols)

5C. True or False

1. Belinda lived in a large red house. (False)
2. Ink was Belinda’s black kitten. (True)
3. Blink was a little grey mouse. (True)
4. Mustard was a yellow dog. (True)
5. Custard was a lion. (False)
6. Mustard bravely fought the pirate. (False)
7. Custard ran away from the pirate. (False)
8. Custard faced the pirate courageously. (True)
9. Custard swallowed the pirate. (True)
10. The pirate defeated Custard. (False)
11. Custard proved to be the bravest character in the poem. (True)
12. Belinda hugged Custard after he saved them. (True)
13. The poem teaches that appearance and reality may be different. (True)
14. The poem is serious and tragic in tone. (False)
15. The poet of the poem is Ogden Nash. (True)

5D. One-Sentence Questions and Answers

1. Who were the members of Belinda’s family?
Ans: Belinda’s family consisted of Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard.

2. Why was Custard called a cowardly dragon?
Ans: Custard was called a cowardly dragon because he was always afraid and wanted a safe cage.

3. How does the poet describe Custard’s appearance?
Ans: Custard is described as a dragon with sharp teeth, spikes, and dagger-like claws.

4. Why did Belinda and her pets tease Custard?
Ans: They teased Custard because he was always frightened and cried for safety.

5. Who was Mustard and how is he described?
Ans: Mustard was Belinda’s yellow dog and was described as brave as a tiger.

6. What happened when the pirate entered the house?
Ans: Everyone became frightened when the pirate entered the house.

7. How did Custard defeat the pirate?
Ans: Custard attacked and gobbled up the pirate.

8. How did Belinda react after Custard killed the pirate?
Ans: Belinda hugged Custard and praised his bravery.

9. What is the irony in the poem?
Ans: The irony is that the cowardly dragon turns out to be the bravest character.

10. What message does the poem convey?
Ans: The poem conveys that true courage is shown through actions and not words.

11. Why is the poem humorous?
Ans: The poem is humorous because of its funny names, exaggerations, and ironic situations.

12. Why does the poet repeatedly mention Custard’s fear?
Ans: The poet repeatedly mentions Custard’s fear to create irony and contrast.

5E. Short Questions and Answers (SAQs)

1. Who were the members of Belinda’s family?
Ans: Belinda lived with four pets in a little white house. They were Ink, a black kitten; Blink, a grey mouse; Mustard, a yellow dog; and Custard, a dragon. They formed a happy and unusual family. Each pet had a distinct personality that contributed to the humorous story of the poem.

2. Why was Custard called a cowardly dragon?
Ans: Custard was called a cowardly dragon because he was always afraid and wanted a safe cage for protection. The other pets and Belinda laughed at him for his timid nature. However, he later proved that he was actually the bravest of them all when he faced the pirate.

3. How did Belinda react after Custard killed the pirate?
Ans: After Custard killed the pirate, Belinda was overjoyed and relieved. She hugged Custard and praised his bravery. She realized that the dragon whom everyone had mocked was actually the true hero who had saved them from danger.

4. What is the irony in the poem?
Ans: The irony lies in the fact that Custard, who is called a cowardly dragon throughout the poem, turns out to be the bravest character. On the other hand, Belinda and the pets who boast about their courage become frightened and hide when real danger appears.

5. What message does the poem convey?
Ans: The poem teaches that true courage is shown through actions rather than words. People who boast about their bravery may fail in difficult situations, while those who seem timid may display great courage when it is truly needed.

6. How does the poet create suspense in the poem?
Ans: The poet creates suspense by suddenly introducing the pirate into the peaceful setting. The reactions of Belinda and the pets increase the tension. Readers wonder who will face the dangerous intruder. The suspense ends when Custard courageously attacks and defeats the pirate.

7. Why does the poet use animal characters in the poem?
Ans: The poet uses animal characters to make the poem entertaining and humorous. The talking animals create a fantasy world that appeals to readers. Their different personalities also help the poet teach the lesson that true courage is revealed through actions rather than appearances.

8. What role does humour play in the poem?
Ans: Humour makes the poem enjoyable and memorable. Funny names, exaggerated descriptions, and unexpected situations create amusement. The greatest humorous element is that the dragon, who is called a coward, becomes the hero while the supposedly brave characters hide from danger.

9. Why does the poet repeatedly mention Custard’s fear?
Ans: The poet repeatedly mentions Custard’s fear to create contrast and irony. Readers are led to believe that Custard is weak and cowardly. This makes his courageous action against the pirate more surprising and effective, emphasizing the poem’s message about true bravery.

10. What happened after Custard defeated the pirate?
Ans: After Custard defeated the pirate, Belinda hugged him and praised his courage. The other pets also celebrated his victory. However, they soon returned to their old habit of claiming that they could have been even braver than Custard if they had faced the pirate.

11. What lesson do the actions of Ink and Blink teach us?
Ans: The actions of Ink and Blink teach us that boasting about bravery is easy, but facing danger is difficult. Although they appeared fearless before the pirate arrived, they quickly hid when faced with a real threat. Their behaviour highlights the difference between words and actions.

5F. Long Questions and Answers (LAQs)

1. Describe the character of Custard. How does he prove his bravery?
Ans: Custard is a dragon who appears frightening because of his sharp teeth, spikes, and dagger-like claws. Despite his fearsome appearance, he is gentle and timid. He often cries for a safe cage and is mocked by Belinda and the other pets, who call him a cowardly dragon. However, when a pirate suddenly enters the house, the true nature of each character is revealed. Belinda cries for help, Ink hides, Blink runs into his mousehole, and Mustard flees in fear. Custard alone faces the danger. He attacks the pirate fearlessly and finally swallows him, saving everyone. Through his actions, Custard proves that courage is not about boasting or appearing brave. Real bravery is demonstrated when one confronts danger despite fear. Thus, Custard emerges as the true hero of the poem.

2. How does the poet use humour and irony in the poem?
Ans: Ogden Nash uses humour and irony throughout the poem to entertain readers. The pets have funny names such as Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard. Their exaggerated claims of bravery create a playful atmosphere. The greatest irony lies in Custard’s character. Although he is called a cowardly dragon and constantly mocked for his fears, he is the only one who acts courageously when danger arrives. The supposedly brave characters, including Belinda and Mustard, become terrified and hide from the pirate. The contrast between appearance and reality creates humour. Custard looks fierce but behaves timidly, while the others appear brave but fail when tested. These humorous and ironic situations make the poem enjoyable and memorable while also teaching an important lesson about true courage.

3. Give a detailed account of the pirate episode in the poem.
Ans: The pirate episode is the climax of the poem. One day, a pirate suddenly enters Belinda’s house carrying pistols in both hands. His appearance frightens everyone. Belinda turns pale and cries for help. Ink hides at the bottom of the household, Blink runs into his mousehole, and Mustard flees with a terrified yelp. At this critical moment, Custard rises to the challenge. Though he is always called a cowardly dragon, he fearlessly confronts the pirate. He jumps up, growls loudly, and attacks the intruder. The pirate is unable to defend himself against Custard’s strength. Finally, Custard swallows him completely, leaving only his pistols behind. After the danger is over, Belinda and the other pets praise Custard and celebrate his victory. The episode reveals that true bravery lies in action rather than in empty boasts.

4. What is the theme of The Tale of Custard the Dragon?
Ans: The central theme of the poem is true courage. The poem shows that bravery cannot be judged by appearance or words. Throughout the story, Belinda and her pets claim to be brave and constantly make fun of Custard for being fearful. However, when a pirate appears, they all run away or hide. Custard, who is considered a coward, becomes the only one willing to face the danger. He defeats the pirate and saves everyone. This incident proves that courage is revealed during difficult situations and not through boasting. The poem also highlights the difference between appearance and reality. Custard looks terrifying but is kind-hearted, while the others appear brave but fail when tested. Through humour and irony, the poet teaches readers an important lesson about genuine bravery and selfless action.

5. Describe Belinda and her pets as portrayed in the poem.
Ans: Belinda is a cheerful little girl who lives with her four pets—Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard. Ink, the kitten, and Blink, the mouse, are playful and confident. Mustard, the dog, is described as brave as a tiger. Together, they often tease Custard because he is timid and always asks for a safe cage. Custard, despite his fearsome appearance, is gentle and fearful. The others consider him a coward and make fun of him regularly. However, when a pirate enters the house, the real personalities of the characters are exposed. The supposedly brave pets hide or run away, while Custard alone faces the danger and defeats the pirate. Through these characters, the poet humorously shows that true courage is not found in boasting but in one’s actions during challenging situations.