The Tale of Custard the Dragon Question Answer | Summary, Poetic Devices

The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash is one of the most entertaining and humorous poems in the Class 10 English First Flight book. It tells the story of Belinda and her unusual group of pets: Ink, Blink, Mustard, and the timid dragon Custard. While everyone in the house claims to be brave, it is Custard, the so-called cowardly dragon, who ends up showing real courage when danger arrives.
In this blog, you will find the tale of custard the dragon question answer, stanza-wise explanations, themes, character sketches, and quick revision notes to help you understand the poem in the simplest way.

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Question Answer

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

The poem has five main characters. They are:

• Belinda – the girl who owns all the pets.

• Ink – Belinda’s little black kitten.

• Blink – the little grey mouse.

• Mustard – the little yellow dog.

• Custard – the real dragon.

2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?

Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was timid and scared of danger. While he looked fierce with big teeth and spikes, he did not feel brave at all.
He is called a cowardly dragon because:

• He was always afraid.

• He preferred safety over adventure.

• Unlike the other pets, he never pretended to be brave.

3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why?

Belinda tickled Custard again and again because she and the other pets made fun of him for being scared. They thought it was funny that a big dragon behaved like a coward, so they teased him without mercy.

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4. The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. Can you list some more examples?

Yes, the poem uses several poetic devices:

• Simile

  • “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears.”

  • “Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage.”

• Alliteration

  • “little black kitten”

  • “little grey mouse”

  • “pirate, climbing in the winda”

• Repetition

  • “realio trulio” repeated to add fun and rhythm.

  • “little” repeated several times to show the cuteness of Belinda’s pets.

• Imagery

  • “Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose.”

  • “Spikes on top of him and scales underneath.”

5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.

In stanza three, the poet describes Custard as:

• Having big sharp teeth

• Spikes on his back

• Scales covering his body

• A mouth like a fireplace

• A nose like a chimney

• Daggers on his toes

This description makes him look fierce and powerful, even though he behaves timidly.

6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?

Yes, most stanzas follow the AABB rhyme scheme.

Example (Stanza 1):

• house (A)

• mouse (A)

• wagon (B)

• dragon (B)

Example (Stanza 2):

• Ink (A)

• Blink (A)

• Mustard (B)

• Custard (B)

7. Writers use words to give us a picture or image without directly saying what they mean. Can you trace some images in the poem?

Some strong images in the poem are:

• “Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose” – helps us imagine the dragon’s fiery appearance.

• “Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon” – shows the power of his tail.

• “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears” – helps visualize great courage.

• “Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage” – shows Mustard as fierce and wild.

These images make the poem lively and easy to imagine.

8. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or light-hearted poem? Give reasons.

The poem is light-hearted and humorous.
Reasons:

• The poet exaggerates the bravery of the pets in a funny way.

• Words like “realio trulio” and “weeck” add a playful tone.

• Custard, who appears dangerous, is scared and wants a cage.

• The brave pets run away when a pirate enters, while the cowardly dragon shows real courage.

• The ending again shows the pets pretending to be brave, which is comical.

9. This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any modern song or lyric that tells a story?

Yes, many modern songs tell stories just like a ballad.
Examples students may mention:

• “Hall of Fame” by The Script tells the story of ambition and success.

• “Castle on the Hill” by Ed Sheeran tells the story of growing up.

• “Zinda” from Bollywood (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag) tells the story of courage.

• “Love Story” by Taylor Swift narrates a romantic tale.

(Students may choose any suitable song they know.)

Summary of The Tale of Custard the Dragon

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.”

Summary

The poem opens by introducing Belinda, a small girl who lives in a tiny white house. She has several pets: a black kitten named Ink, a grey mouse named Blink, a yellow dog named Mustard, and a red wagon. The most surprising of all is her unusual pet, a real dragon named Custard.

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.”

Summary

Belinda has given cute names to her pets. The kitten is called Ink and the mouse Blink. The dog is Mustard because he is sharp and lively. However, even though the dragon looks fierce, Belinda calls him Custard because he behaves like a coward.

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.”

Summary

The poet now describes Custard’s terrifying appearance. He has huge sharp teeth, spikes on his back, and scales on his belly. His mouth is as wide as a fireplace and his nose resembles a chimney. His toes are like sharp daggers. Despite this frightening look, Custard is timid.

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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.”

Summary

Belinda and her pets are shown as extremely brave. Belinda is compared to a barrel full of bears. The kitten and mouse are so bold that they could chase lions. The dog behaves like an angry tiger. Ironically, the most powerful creature, Custard the dragon, is scared and wants to stay inside a safe cage.

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.”

Summary

Belinda and her pets often make fun of Custard. Belinda tickles him a lot and the others tease him by calling him “Percival,” a heroic name used sarcastically. They all laugh at Custard for being such a coward.

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.”

Summary

The teasing continues. Belinda laughs so hard that her laughter shakes the house. Blink makes a mouse-like giggle sound. Ink and Mustard make fun of Custard by asking how old he is, as if his fear is childish. Custard simply asks again for a 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.”

Summary

The peaceful atmosphere is suddenly disturbed by a frightening noise. Mustard growls and everyone becomes alert. Ink cries out, Belinda is terrified, and they all spot a dangerous pirate climbing through the window.

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.”

Summary

The pirate looks deadly and dangerous. He is armed with pistols in both hands and holds a sword in his teeth. He has a black beard and a wooden leg, which enhances his fearsome look. His intentions are clearly harmful.

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.”

Summary

All the brave ones panic and run away. Belinda screams for help. Mustard runs away in fear. Ink flees to the farthest part of the house, and Blink hides inside a mouse hole. Their earlier bravery completely disappears.

Stanza 10

“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.”

Summary

Custard, who was always considered a coward, suddenly shows immense courage. He jumps up and attacks the pirate fiercely. His snorting and tail movement make loud, frightening noises. He rushes at the pirate with surprising aggression.

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.”

Summary

The pirate is shocked to see the dragon charging at him. He quickly drinks some alcohol, fires two shots at Custard, but misses. Custard overpowers him and eats him completely, saving the entire household.

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.”

Summary

Everyone now appreciates Custard. Belinda hugs him and Mustard licks him affectionately. Ink and Blink dance happily around him. None of them feel sad about the pirate’s fate; instead, they celebrate Custard’s bravery.

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.’”

Summary

After the danger has passed, the pets return to their old habit of boasting. Mustard claims he would have been twice as brave if he hadn’t panicked. Ink and Blink claim they would have been even braver than Mustard.

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.”

Summary

Life goes back to normal. Belinda continues to live happily with her pets. The description mirrors the beginning of the poem, showing that their world remains unchanged.

Stanza 15

“Custard 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.”

Summary

The poem ends humorously. The pets again pretend to be brave, and Custard again behaves timidly despite having shown true courage. The poet highlights the contrast between appearance and reality, and ends the ballad on a light note.

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Character Sketches from The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Custard the Dragon

Custard is the central character of the poem. Although he looks frightening with sharp teeth, spikes, scales, and dagger-like toes, he is gentle and timid at heart. He repeatedly asks for a safe cage, which makes others call him a coward. However, Custard proves his real strength when danger arrives. He bravely fights the pirate and saves everyone. His humility stands out because even after his heroic act, he does not boast. Custard represents the idea that true courage lies within and appears at the right moment.

Belinda

Belinda is the owner of all the pets. She lives in a little white house and is described as brave, almost like a “barrel full of bears.” She loves her pets and often laughs and plays with them. However, when the pirate enters, Belinda becomes frightened and calls for help. Her character shows that even confident people can lose courage when faced with real danger. She represents warmth, care, and childlike innocence.

Ink the Kitten

Ink is the little black kitten in the house. It is described as brave and playful, always chasing lions down the stairs. Ink joins the others in teasing Custard for being afraid. But when danger appears, Ink flees and hides. Ink’s character reflects how some people appear confident but collapse under real pressure.

Blink the Mouse

Blink is the little grey mouse. It is shown as brave and cheerful, giggling in its tiny way. Blink, too, mocks Custard and claims to be bold. However, during the pirate attack, Blink quickly hides in a mousehole. Blink represents the idea of exaggerated bravery that disappears in real situations.

Mustard the Dog

Mustard is the little yellow dog who is described as fierce as a tiger. He barks bravely and acts tough, but when the pirate enters, Mustard runs away in fear. Later, he claims he would have been braver if he had not been flustered. Mustard’s behavior highlights the contrast between loud, boastful bravery and true courage.

The Pirate

The pirate is the only real threat in the poem. He climbs into the house with pistols in both hands and a cutlass in his teeth. He clearly has bad intentions. However, his scary appearance does not intimidate Custard. The pirate’s presence creates the turning point of the poem, where Custard’s bravery shines. His character represents danger and conflict.

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Conclusion

The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a delightful and humorous poem that teaches students not to judge others by their appearance or behaviour. Custard may seem cowardly, but when danger strikes, he becomes the true hero of the story. Through fun characters, playful language, and surprising twists, the poem reminds readers that everyone has hidden strengths. It also encourages students to appreciate differences, stay humble, and understand that bravery can come from the most unexpected places.