First Flight – Poem 9: The Tale of Custard the Dragon
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The Poem
The Tale of Custard the Dragonby 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.
(The poem continues with more stanzas...)
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.
(The poem continues with more stanzas...)
About the Poet
Ogden Nash(1902–1971)
Ogden Nash was an American poet known for his humorous and light-hearted poetry. He often used unconventional rhymes and playful language. His poems are known for their wit, charm, and clever wordplay. "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is one of his most famous narrative poems for children.
Summary of the Poem
SummaryKey Points
Summary: "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a humorous ballad about a little girl named Belinda who lives with her pets: a kitten named Ink, a mouse named Blink, a dog named Mustard, and a dragon named Custard. Ink, Blink, and Mustard are very brave and boast about their courage, while Custard is a coward who always cries for a safe cage. One day, a pirate enters the house. Everyone panics and runs away, but Custard, the cowardly dragon, fights and eats the pirate. After the danger passes, Ink, Blink, and Mustard start boasting again, pretending they would have fought if they hadn't been scared. Custard remains humble. The poem teaches that true courage is shown in action, not in words.
Theme of the Poem
ThemeCentral Idea
Theme: The central theme of the poem is that true courage is shown in action, not in words. Those who boast about their bravery may fail in times of danger, while those who appear timid may rise to the occasion. The poem also celebrates the idea that everyone has hidden strengths and that we should not judge others by their appearance or behaviour. It is a humorous yet meaningful commentary on courage and humility.
Literary Devices
DeviceExamples from the Poem
1. Humour: The poem is filled with humorous elements, such as the contrast between Custard's fierce appearance and his timid nature.
2. Hyperbole (Exaggeration): "Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears" — exaggerated comparison for comic effect.
3. Simile: "Mouth like a fireplace," "Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage" — comparisons using 'like' or 'as'.
4. Imagery: Vivid descriptions of Custard's appearance — "big sharp teeth," "spikes on top," "chimney for a nose."
5. Repetition: "realio, trulio" — playful repetition for emphasis.
6. Irony: The cowardly dragon is the one who saves everyone, while the brave pets run away.
7. Rhyme Scheme: The poem has a consistent rhyming pattern (AABB, with occasional variations).
2. Hyperbole (Exaggeration): "Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears" — exaggerated comparison for comic effect.
3. Simile: "Mouth like a fireplace," "Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage" — comparisons using 'like' or 'as'.
4. Imagery: Vivid descriptions of Custard's appearance — "big sharp teeth," "spikes on top," "chimney for a nose."
5. Repetition: "realio, trulio" — playful repetition for emphasis.
6. Irony: The cowardly dragon is the one who saves everyone, while the brave pets run away.
7. Rhyme Scheme: The poem has a consistent rhyming pattern (AABB, with occasional variations).
Word Meanings (Vocabulary)
WordMeaning
Realio, trulio: a playful way of saying "really, truly"
Coward: a person who lacks courage
Spikes: sharp, pointed projections
Scales: small, flat plates covering the body of reptiles and dragons
Chimney: a vertical pipe that carries smoke from a fireplace
Daggers: short knives used as weapons
Barrel: a large round container
Rage: intense anger
Pirate: a person who attacks ships at sea
Wagon: a vehicle for carrying goods
Flustered: agitated, nervous
Coward: a person who lacks courage
Spikes: sharp, pointed projections
Scales: small, flat plates covering the body of reptiles and dragons
Chimney: a vertical pipe that carries smoke from a fireplace
Daggers: short knives used as weapons
Barrel: a large round container
Rage: intense anger
Pirate: a person who attacks ships at sea
Wagon: a vehicle for carrying goods
Flustered: agitated, nervous
Thinking About the Poem (Page 140)
Q12 marks
Who are the characters in the poem? Describe each of them.
Answer: The characters are: Belinda (a little girl who is brave), Ink (a little black kitten who is brave), Blink (a little grey mouse who is brave), Mustard (a little yellow dog who is brave), and Custard (a dragon who is a coward but turns out to be the hero). The pirate is also a character — the villain who is eaten by Custard.
Q23 marks
Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is he called a coward?
Answer: Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was afraid of danger. He was called a coward because, unlike the other pets who boasted about their bravery, Custard admitted his fear. He constantly asked for a safe place to hide. His timid behaviour and constant crying made him appear cowardly compared to the brave-sounding Ink, Blink, and Mustard.
Q33 marks
What is the moral of the poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon"?
Answer: The moral of the poem is that true courage is shown in action, not in words. Those who boast about their bravery may fail when actually faced with danger, while those who appear timid may rise to the occasion. The poem also teaches us not to judge others by their appearance or words, and that everyone has hidden strengths. Humility is more valuable than false pride.
Extra Questions for Practice
Q13 marks
How did Custard prove that he was not a coward after all?
Answer: When a pirate entered the house, Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Belinda all ran away and hid. Custard, despite being called a coward, faced the pirate bravely. He attacked the pirate, swallowed him whole, and saved everyone. His actions proved that he was the bravest of them all, showing that true courage is demonstrated in moments of danger, not in empty boasts.
Q23 marks
What is the significance of the names in the poem (Ink, Blink, Mustard, Custard)?
Answer: The names are playful and humorous, fitting the light-hearted tone of the poem. "Ink" and "Blink" suggest small, quick creatures. "Mustard" suggests something sharp (as in "sharp as mustard"). "Custard" is a soft, sweet dessert — contrasting with the fierce appearance of a dragon. The names add to the whimsical, childlike quality of the poem.
Q34 marks
What message does Ogden Nash convey through the poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon"?
Answer: Ogden Nash conveys that courage is not about how brave you sound, but about what you do when faced with danger. The poem teaches humility — Custard, the one who was mocked, becomes the hero. The boastful pets are shown to be all talk and no action. The poem also celebrates the idea that everyone has hidden strengths and that we should not underestimate anyone based on their appearance or behaviour.
NCERT Class 10 English | First Flight – Poem 9: The Tale of Custard the Dragon | Complete solutions and study material.
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