a pac lhle aksha' r — POETIC = DEVICES i —— Oo eysle | a) a ak ~ — v7"The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ as the title says is a funny and humorous poem. It tells the story of a little girl Belinda who keeps little pats like a mouse, a dog, a dragon etc, in her little house. Her pets except the dragon have been described as uery brave. The dragon has been described as very coward who always looks for safety in a cage. The dragon, however. shows and proves his bravery when he kills a pirate who enters Belinda's house. The Poem carries a simple meaning that all that glitters is not gold or never judge a thing by its appearance. The dragon faces the pirate who enters Belinda's house to harm her and her pets and eliminates him with bravery. There is a tinge of ballad in the structure of the poem. STANZA1 Rhyme scheme: aabb (house-mouse, wagon-dragon) Repetition: use of the word ‘little oxymoron: use of two words with opposite meanings "pet dragon" Anaphora: repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines. (Anda little ....And a realio) STANZA 2 Rhyme scheme: aabb (ink-blink, mustard-custard) simile: dog compared to mustard "And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard" Alliteration: "coward, and she called him Custard" "c" sound Anaphora: repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines (And the little grey...And the little yellow) Repetition: use of word little STANZA 3 Rhyme scheme: aabb (teeth-underneath, nose-toes) Simile: Dragon's mouth is compared with fireplace (mouth Like a fireplace) Metaphor: "chimney for a nose". The nose is like a chimney. STANZA 4 Rhyme scheme: aabb (bears-stairs, rage-cage) Alliteration: Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears "b" sound is repeated Simile: Belinda's bravery is compared to that of a barrel full of bears (as a barrel full of bears), Mustard's bravery is compared to that of an angry tiger (Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage) Assonance: use of vowel sound ‘a’ (Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears) STANZA 5 Rhyme scheme: aabb (unmerciful-Percival, wagon-dragon) Repetition: use of the word ‘tickled him’ Personification: Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him PercivalSTANZA 6 Rhyme scheme: aabb (house-mouse, rage-cage) Repetition: Custard cried for a nice safe cage STANZA 7 Rhyme scheme: aabb (sound-around, Belinda winda) Consonance: use of consonant sound 's' (Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound) STANZA 8 Rhyme scheme: aabb (right- bright, wood- good) Alliteration: beard was black "b", he held his "h" Imagery: An image is created about the appearance of the pirate. STANZA 9 Rhyme scheme: aabb (help-yelp, household - mousehold) transferred epithet: terrified yelp Repetition: help help. STANZA 10 Rhyme scheme: aabb (engine-dungeon, squirm worm) Simile: sound of dragon is compared with sound of engine (snorting like an engine), Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, dragon's attack on pirate is compared to robin bird (like a robin at a worm) STANZA 11 Rhyme scheme: aabb (dragon-flagon, hit-bit) Alliteration: gulped some grog "9" Imagery: They have shown the reaction and actions made by the pirate on seeing the dragon. Rhyme scheme: aabb (him-victi Alliteration: glee did gyrate Assonance: use of vowel sound ‘o' (no one mourned for), use of vowel sound 'I' (ink and blink in glee did), use of vowel sound ‘a’ (that ate the pirate) STANZA 13 Rhyme scheme: aabb (mustard-flustered, blink ink, agree-me) STANZA 14 Repetition: stanza has been repeatedJpadhie akshay LATEST COMPETENCY EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS — Jpadhle.akshayRead the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household, And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed. 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 (A) Which option lists the quotes that support the ideas in the extract? (1) Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends. (2) If you're brave enough to start, you're strong enough to finish, (3) Courage doesn't mean you don't get afraid. Courage means you don't let fear stop you. (4) You get in life what you have the courage to ask for. (5) Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is strong. (a) (1) & (5) (b) (2), (3) & (4) (c) (2) & (3) (d) (1), (3) & (5) (B) What is the poet's purpose of using the onomatopoeic words given in the extract? (a) It is to emphasize on the might and boldness of Custard. (b) It is to introduce the character Custard to the readers. (c) It is to impress upon the readers that Custard was ready. (d) It is to make Custard bold enough to face the situation. (C) Pick an option that best fits the usage of the word' trickled’ as used in the extract. (a) The water trickled down the tap and filled the trough. (b) Students trickled into the classroom as the teacher entered. (c) Tears trickled down her cheeks as she heard the sad news. (d) His enthusiasm for the task slowly trickled away. (D) Select the option that fits with the reaction of the characters in the context of the extract. i). Custard: undaunted (a) (i) shocked (ii) displeased (b) (i) petrified (ii) wondered (c) (i) upset (ii) dazed (d) (i) petrified (ii) shocked(E) 'He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm. Why has this comparison been used here? Just like the robin catches the worm, (a) Custard attacked the pirate after careful observation. (b) Custard attacked the pirate without delay. (c) Custard attacked the pirate valourously. (d) Custard attacked the pirate stealthily. ANSWERS 1. Cc 2 2A 3. B 4. D 5. BRead the extract given below and answer the question that follows: 1.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. 1. What was Custard's mouth like? Custard's mouth was like a fireplace. 2. What were on the body of Custard ? Spikes and scales were on his body. 3. How was dragon's mouth like? Dragon's mouth was like a fireplace. 4. Find a word from the stanza that means ‘sharp pointed rods’. It is 'daggers'. 2.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. 1. What made the animals produce different sounds ? Seeing a pirate in the window made the animals produce different sounds. 2. When did they look around ? They looked around when Mustard growled. 3. Where was the pirate ? The pirate was climbing in the window. 4. Yenc word from the extract means the same as ‘produced low thundering sound' ? It is ‘growled’.Jpadhie akshay LAST 10+ YEARS QUESTIONS —— (o} padhle.akshayQ.1 Where did Belinda live? Who else lived with her ? Ans. Belinda lived in a little white house. There were other animals who lived with her. They were a little black kitten and a little grey mouse. They were alsoa little yellow dog and little pet dragon. They all lived together happily and with affection. Q.2 What names did Belinda give to them ? Ans. Belinda lived with these different animals. She gave the name of Ink to the kitten.She called the grey mouse as Blink. The little yellow dog was called Mustard. The dragon was coward. So she named him as Custard. Q.3 How did the dragon look in appearance ? Ans. Custard, the dragon, looked like a real dragon. He had big sharp teeth. He had spikes on his top and scales underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace. His nose was like a chimney. He had daggers on his toes. These made him a dragon. Q.4 What was the ‘nasty sound' they all heard one day? How did they react to it? Ans, The ‘nasty sound' was of a pirate. Mustard Looked at him and growled at it. Ink gave out 'Meowch' sound. Belinda cried ‘ooh’. They looked around to see what kind of sound it was. They were curious to know who had produced it. Q.5 Describe the pirate who comes through the window? Ans. The pirate who inuaded the house through the window was crippled due toa wooden leg. His beard was black. He had a pistol each in both of his hands and he held a cutlass in his teeth. The appearance of the pirate was so frightful and euil. It looked like he had no good intentions. Q.6 How did they react to the presence of the pirate there? Ans. All of them reacted differently towards the pirate. Belinda turned yellow due to fear. She cried for help. Mustard ran barking fearfully. Ink went to the bottom of the house. The little mouse ran into his hole in no time. No one wanted to face him. Q.7 How did Custard, the dragon, handle the pirate ? Ans. Custard, the dragon, jumped. He snorted like an engine. He struck with his tail. His tail was like irons. There were different sounds of clatter, clank and jangle. He attacked the pirate like a robin at a worm. He was not afraid of him. Q.8 What did the pirate do when the dragon faced him as such ? Ans. The pirate looked at the dragon with an open mouth. He wanted to terrify him by his looks. He swallowed some liquor from his pocket flagon. He also fired two bullets. But they did not hit. The dragon faced him boldly. He then swallowed him in full. Q.9 How did they all show their bravery? How was the dragon different? Ans. Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears. Ink and Blink were fearless, They followed the lions down the stairs. Mustard was as brave as a tiger ina rage. Custard, though called a coward, killed the pirate himself.Q.10 How did they all pass time together? Ans. They passed time together happily. Belinda teased the dragon out of affection. She tickled him unmercifully. Ink, Blink and Mustard called him Percival. They teased the dragon. They sat laughing at the cowardly dragon in the little red wagon. Q.11 How did they receive the dragon after he had swallowed the pirate ? Ans. The dragon had swallowed the pirate. It was a daring act. He became a figure of praise. Belinda embraced him. Mustard licked him. Ink and Blink jumped round surrounding him. They showed their extreme joy in this way. No one mourned for the pirate. Q.12How did they boast of their false bravery then ? Ans. Mustard boasted cleverly. He said that he would have been twice as brave if he had not got nervous. Ink and Blink said that they had been three times as brave. Custard only said that he agreed with them. They boasted only after the dragon had done away with the pirate. Q.13 Who among them was actually brave? How did he show his bravery ? Ans. Custard, the dragon, was coward in the beginning. But he was actually the bravest among them. The others were all cowards. They disappeared when they saw the pirate. The dragon faced him all alone and well. He was not afraid of him. He swallowed him up. Q.14 How is 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ a ballad ? Ans. A ballad is actually an adventurous story. It shows adventure, suspense, romance etc, along with. The story is very interesting. Then it is highly musical due to its rhyme scheme. This poem has these qualities. The rhyme scheme isaab b. So it is a ballad.Q.1 Describe the incident that showed that the pet who was considered the most coward was actually the bravest of them all? Ans. In the poem, when the other pets ran away petrified at the sight of the pirate breaking in, Custard charged angrily at him. The pirate got so scared of the dragon that to overcome his fear, he took out a bottle of wine from his pocket and gulped some of it. He even fired two shots at the dragon, none of which hit him. However, Custard bravely attacked the pirate and ate every bit of the his body. This incident of Custard saving everyone from the pirate, showed that the dragon whom Belinda and her other pets looked down upon as a coward and bullied him, was actually the bravest of them all. Q.2 Custard was discriminated against, bullied and made fun of. Such behaviour often has a disastreus impact on the victims and etches a permanent scar on their minds, Write opinions of Wanda and Mandela on this issue. Wanda: In my personal opinion, ....(continue) Nelson Mandela: | strongly believe that. (continue) Ans. Wanda: In my opinion, bullying and teasing can leave a person depressed for life. One might never get his/her self-confidence back. The mocking which seems fun to the doer might destroy the victim's positive mindset The world is full of evil people. Nelson Mandela: | strongly believe that nobody on this planet is born full of hate. It's just the surroundings that make a person bad. However, you are absolutely right that even a small instance of evil oppression or hatred against anyone might leave them scared for life. Wanda: Yes sir. | hope people someday will understand this and try to make this world a better place to live. Q.3 The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon”—the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the joem? Ansidn the entire poem, the poet has made extensive use of similes. Apart from simile, another poetic device that has been used is repetition. For example, the repetitive use of the word ‘little’ in the first stanza to emphasize how everything from the house to Belinda to her pets were all little. Also, in the seventh stanza, the poet has made use of incorrect spelling as a poetic device to maintain the rhyme scheme of the poem. He has chosen to write ‘winda’ instead of ‘window’ as ‘winda’ rhymes with ‘Belinda’, whereas ‘window’ does not. He has also used alliteration in the poem. For example, in the tenth stanza, ‘custard’ has ‘clashed’ his tail with a ‘clatter’ and a ‘clank’. Similarly, in stanza eleven, the pirate ‘gaped’ at the dragon and ‘gulped’ some ‘grog”.Q.4 Everyone believed that the Custard was a coward; but when an opportunity came he showed exemplary courage. Based on y our reading of the poem, write a paragraph on the topic: ‘Courage is a Mind, not of Muscle’. Ans. Mark Twain once said that ‘Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear’. Courage is not merely a show of power but the ability to overcome fear and not allow it to paralyze our minds. Most of us tend to generalize and call people who shy away from a physical show of power as being cowards. But the truth lies in the fact that those who indulge in physical aggression are the ones who are the most insecure. David was barely one-fourth of Goliath, the giant. Yet David succeeded, in killing him. He had used his presence of mind and stood successful over an entire army. Thus, we must remember that courage is a matter of mind, not muscle) pac hle akshav CHAPTER BASED MCQs eF- Kel a) le .akshavQ1- Who is the poet of the poem “The tale of Custard the Dragon”? A) Carl Sandburg B) Ogden Nash C) Carolyn Wells D) Walt Whitman Q2- What was the name of the black kitten? A) Custard B) ink C) blink D) mustard Q3- What was the name of the grey mouse? A) Custard B) ink C) blink D) mustard Q4- Who is described as the most timid of all? A) kitten B) mouse C) dragon D) dog Q5- Name the poetic device used in the line “And the little yellow dog was sharp as mustard” A) Oxymoron B) metaphor C) Assonance D) Simile Q6- What all does the dragon possess? A) big sharp teeth B) spikes on top of him C) sharp toes D) All of the above Q7- Name the poetic device used in the line “mouth like a fireplace” A) Oxymoron B) metaphor C) Assonance D) Simile Q8- Who did Belinda used to tease? A) kitten B) mouse C) dragon D) dogQ9- Who saved everyone from the pirate? A) kitten B) mouse C) dragon D) dog Q10- What did Custard do to the pirate? A) ate him B) scared him away C) held him hostage D) None of these ANSWERS —_ . SOON AUPWN PANDIOOAARD