The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash
Genre: Humorous Ballad
/ Narrative Poem
🧑🏫 About the
Poet: Ogden Nash
- Full name: Frederick
Ogden Nash (1902–1971)
- Famous
for: Light verse and comic poetry
- His poems often use humor,
irony, and playful rhymes to criticize human nature and behavior.
- He had a unique writing
style, using invented words and unexpected rhymes.
📜 Summary of the
Poem
“The Tale of
Custard the Dragon” is a humorous poem about a cowardly dragon named Custard,
who lives with Belinda, a brave little girl, and her three pets — a dog
(Mustard), a cat (Ink), and a mouse (Blink).
Belinda and her
pets boast about their bravery, while Custard is often laughed at for
being timid and wanting a “nice safe cage.”
However, when a
real pirate breaks into their house, all the “brave” creatures run
away in fear, while Custard — the so-called coward — fights
bravely and kills the pirate.
After the
danger passes, everyone praises Custard, but soon they go back to
boasting, pretending to be brave again. Custard, as usual, says nothing and
just wants his cage again.
Moral: True courage
is shown through actions, not words.
🪶 Paraphrase
(Stanza-wise)
Stanza
1–2:
Belinda lives
in a little white house with her pets: a black kitten (Ink), a grey mouse
(Blink), a yellow dog (Mustard), and a dragon (Custard). Custard has sharp
teeth and spikes but asks for a “nice safe cage.”
Stanza
3–5:
Belinda and her
pets think they are all brave. They tease Custard for being cowardly. Custard,
however, doesn’t mind and just wishes for safety.
Stanza
6–8:
Suddenly, a
pirate appears with pistols and a sword. Belinda turns pale with fear; all her
brave pets hide — Ink in a barrel, Blink in a hole, and Mustard cries for help.
Stanza
9–11:
Custard jumps
up bravely, snorts out flames, and attacks the pirate. The pirate fires
bullets, but Custard swallows him whole.
Stanza
12–13:
After the
fight, everyone cheers for Custard. But soon, they go back to pretending to be
brave and laugh at Custard again. Custard says nothing — he just asks for a
safe cage once more.
💡 Themes
- True Courage
vs. False Bravado:
- Real
bravery is tested in times of danger.
- Custard,
who was mocked as a coward, proves to be the bravest.
- Humor and
Irony:
- The poem
is full of comic contrast between appearance and reality.
- Humility:
- Custard
remains humble even after his heroic act.
- Human
Nature:
- People
often boast in safety and run in real danger.
🪄 Poetic Devices
|
Device |
Example |
Explanation |
|
Rhyme Scheme |
aa, bb |
e.g.,
house/mouse, dragon/wagon |
|
Alliteration |
Belinda was
as brave as a barrel full of bears |
Repetition of
‘b’ sound |
|
Repetition |
And Custard
cried for a nice safe cage |
Emphasizes
Custard’s fear |
|
Onomatopoeia |
Clatter,
Clank, Clashed |
Sound words
to show noise |
|
Simile |
Brave as a
barrel full of bears |
Comparison
using ‘as’ |
|
Irony |
Custard was
thought cowardly but was the bravest |
Opposite of
expectations |
|
Imagery |
Big sharp
teeth like daggers |
Creates
visual image |
🧠 Meaning of
Difficult Words
|
Word |
Meaning |
|
Realio,
trulio |
Really, truly
(playful language) |
|
Daggers |
Knives with
pointed edges |
|
Barrelful of
bears |
Extremely
brave |
|
Cutlass |
Short sword
used by pirates |
|
Giggle |
Laugh lightly |
|
Flustered |
Confused,
upset |
|
Tickled |
Delighted |
|
Giggled |
Laughed
lightly |
|
Gyrate |
Spin or whirl
around |
|
Clashed and
clattered |
Made metallic
sounds |
🎯 Moral of the
Poem
True bravery is
revealed in action, not in words.
People who boast about being brave may fail in real situations, while modest
and humble individuals may display real courage when needed.
📚 Important Exam
Questions with Answers
Q1.
Who are the characters in the poem?
Ans: The characters
are Belinda, her kitten Ink, her mouse Blink, her dog Mustard, and her dragon
Custard.
Q2.
Why was Custard called a cowardly dragon?
Ans: Because he
always cried for a “nice safe cage,” unlike the others who claimed to be brave.
Q3.
What happened when the pirate entered Belinda’s house?
Ans: Everyone got
scared and ran away to hide, except Custard, who bravely fought the pirate and
killed him.
Q4.
How did Custard prove to be brave?
Ans: Custard attacked
the pirate fearlessly, despite being teased as a coward, and saved everyone.
Q5.
What lesson does the poem teach?
Ans: The poem
teaches that real bravery lies in actions, not in boasting, and one
should not judge others based on appearances or behavior.
Q6.
Describe the humor in the poem.
Ans: The poem is
humorous because of the funny names, playful rhymes (“realio trulio”), and the
irony of a cowardly dragon becoming the true hero.
Q7.
What is the tone of the poem?
Ans: The tone is light-hearted,
humorous, and ironic. It entertains while teaching a moral lesson.
✍️ Short Summary in Simple Words
“The Tale of
Custard the Dragon” by Ogden Nash is a funny poem about a cowardly dragon who
becomes a hero. Belinda and her pets always boast about their bravery and make
fun of Custard. But when a pirate attacks, all hide in fear — except Custard,
who kills the pirate bravely. Yet, after the danger, the others again pretend
to be brave. The poem humorously shows that true bravery is shown through
action, not words.
