i.Describe the dreadful appearance of the pirate?

The pirate in the poem is depicted as menacing, with a black beard, one wooden leg, pistols
in both hands, and a cutlass in his teeth. The poet paints a vivid image of the pirate's
threatening presence, emphasizing his villainous intent.

ii. What does the poet want to demonstrate through the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the
Dragon’?
The poet, Ogden Nash, uses "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" to playfully challenge
stereotypes and expectations. Through Custard's unexpected bravery, Nash suggests that
courage can emerge from the most unlikely sources, overturning preconceived notions and
celebrating inner strength.

iii. The true character of a person is revealed at the time of adversity. Comment briefly with
reference to the poem.
The poem suggests that true character is often surprising and not always apparent at first
glance. Custard, initially labelled a coward, reveals courage in a crucial moment. It
encourages readers to look beyond superficial judgments, echoing the theme that
appearances can be deceiving.

iv. Why is the dragon called ‘cowardly dragon’?

The dragon is called a "cowardly dragon" due to his timid nature. Unlike Belinda, Ink, Blink,
and Mustard, Custard displays fear when faced with danger. The irony lies in Custard's
eventual bravery when confronted by the pirate, challenging the stereotype and highlighting
the unexpected courage within the supposedly cowardly dragon.

Why did Custard cry for a nice, safe cage? Why is the dragon called a “cowardly
dragon”?
Ans: Custard cried for a nice, safe cage because it was a coward. It is called a
‘cowardly dragon’ because everybody else in the house was brave. Belinda was as
brave as a barrel of bears. Ink and Blink are described as so brave that they could
chase lions down the stairs and Mustard was as brave as a tiger in rage. Compared to
them, Custard cried asking for a nice and safe cage, which is why it is called a coward.

“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?

Belinda tickles Custard unmercifully to mockingly highlight his perceived cowardice. By

subjecting Custard to laughter and playfulness, Belinda intends to emphasize his timid and
fearful nature. The act of tickling becomes a way for Belinda and the other characters to
express their amusement and disbelief at Custard's lack of bravery, creating a humorous
contrast between the dragon's fears and their expectations.

Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted

poem? Give reasons to support your Ans:.
Ans: The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a light-hearted poem. It is almost a parody.
The names of the pets of Belinda are all rhyming and funny. Belinda has been
compared to a barrel full of bears. The kitten and mouse, both little, could chase lions
down the stairs. The little yellow dog was as brave as a tiger, while the dragon was a
coward and they all teased him. However, when the pirate came to their little house,
all of them were engulfed in fear and had hid themselves.
Ironically, the ‘cowardly’ dragon came to their rescue and jumped snorting like an
engine. It clashed its tail and charged at the pirate like a robin at a worm and ate him
up. Even as everybody became happy to see the bravery of the dragon, they again
came back to glorifying themselves that they could have been twice or thrice braver
than the dragon. Finally, at the end of the poem, the situation again came back to
the other pets being brave and the dragon being the coward.

THEME

The main theme of the poem is appearance vs reality. Here, the creatures like the cat,
mouse, and dog appear as courageous but in crisis, they reveal their real cowardice.
In contrast, the ugly and formidable dragon who is, in reality, dangerous of them all,
appears as a coward creature. But, during the crisis he saves everyone. So, someone’s
appearance doesn’t make the person powerful. It is on how one reacts when
impediments block the way and scare him.

REPETITION/IRONY

the repetition of the last few stanzas in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" involves an
element of irony. The poem initially presents Custard as a "cowardly dragon," and the
repetition serves to underscore and contrast this characterization with Custard's
unexpected courage when facing the pirate. The irony lies in the fact that Custard,
initially labelled a coward, ends up bravely confronting and devouring the pirate,
challenging the reader's expectations and turning the perceived weakness into a
source of strength. The repetition helps accentuate this ironic twist in the narrative.

BARREL FULL OF BEARS

The line "as brave as a barrel full of bears" from "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a
playful and exaggerated expression to emphasize Belinda's courage. It suggests that
Belinda is exceptionally brave, as if she possesses the collective courage of an entire
barrel full of bears. The comparison to bears, typically seen as strong and fearless
animals, amplifies the intensity of Belinda's bravery in a whimsical and imaginative
manner. It's a vivid and humorous way of depicting her fearlessness in the face of
challenges.

LAQS
Being impressed by Custard’s feat, the young seagull’s sister wrote a letter to Custard
seeking advice on addressing the situation with her young brother. Write Custard’s
response to this letter. Base the advice from his experiences.

Dear [Seagull's Sister],

Greetings! Your letter reached me with the grace of a gentle breeze. I am honored by
your inquiry and delighted to share my thoughts. Remind your young brother that
courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. Encourage him to face
challenges head-on, as it is in confronting fears that we discover true strength.

Let him know my tale, how Custard the Dragon, once deemed a coward, found
courage when duty called. Bravery often resides in the most unexpected places.
Share this wisdom with him, for sometimes, the bravest hearts beat in unassuming
chests.

Reassure him that growth stems from confronting challenges. Every wing flap, every
encounter with the unknown, contributes to the soaring of one's spirit. Encourage
him to embrace the skies with newfound confidence.

Wishing your young brother many courageous flights ahead.

Warm regards,

Custard

Who was the real hero? How did he save the other animals? Was he proud of his
bravery? Justify your answer with instances from the poem ‘The Tale of Custard
the Dragon’.

Custard, the unexpected hero in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon," proves his bravery
when faced with a real threat. Initially dismissed as a "cowardly dragon," Custard
defies stereotypes by clashing with a pirate who poses a danger to Belinda and the
other animals. In a surprising turn of events, Custard's actions—snorting like an
engine, clashing his tail, and ultimately devouring the pirate—reveal a courageous
side that transcends his initial characterization.

Custard's heroic deed becomes evident in his selfless act of protecting his
companions. The pirate, armed with pistols and a cutlass, poses a serious threat, yet
Custard fearlessly confronts him. By gorging the pirate, Custard saves Belinda, Ink,
Blink, and Mustard from harm, showcasing a quiet heroism that contradicts his initial
portrayal as a timid dragon.
Despite his significant act of bravery, Custard remains modest and unassuming. He
may cry for a "nice safe cage" afterward, indicating a reluctance to bask in the
limelight. Custard's humility further enhances the depth of his character, portraying
him not only as a hero but also as a creature devoid of vanity, making his bravery all
the more admirable.