The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Textual Solutions for Class 10 English
Poem – The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Belinda lives with four pets: a kitten named Ink, a mouse named Blink, a dog named Mustard, and a dragon named Custard. Custard is scared of everything and likes to stay in his safe cage. One day, they are attacked by a scary pirate with guns and a sword. The other pets run away, leaving Belinda alone. But Custard bravely defeats the pirate by eating him. When the other pets return, they complain that Custard could have done better. Custard agrees, but they all stay together in the house happily.
1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
The characters in this poem are Belinda, a little girl and her pets: a little black kitten, a little grey mouse, a little yellow dog, a little pet dragon and a pirate.
The names of the pets are listed below:
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 it was a coward and used to get scared easily. It is called a “cowardly dragon” because everyone in the house is very brave. Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, Ink and Blink could chase lions down the stairs, Mustard was as brave as a raging tiger, but Custard always cried for a nice safe cage as it feared a lot and wanted to stay safe from any danger.
3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?
Belinda tickled Custard, the dragon, unmercifully because it was always very scared and cried for a nice safe cage. She rubbed her fingers, creating a tingling sensation that would disturb the dragon, and everyone would laugh at its cowardice.
4. 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 poem?
The poet has extensively used similes throughout the poem. One such simile was “mouth like a fireplace”. Also, he has repetitively used the word ‘little’ in the first stanza to emphasize that everything in Belinda’s house, including her pets, was little in size. In the seventh stanza, the poet uses an incorrect spelling as a poetic device, such as ‘winda’ instead of ‘window’ that rhymes with Belinda’s name in the previous line. Furthermore, the poet also usedsalliteration in the tenth stanza in the sentences “Clashed his tail” and “With a clatter and a clank”. In the eleventh stanza, the poet used the terms, “The pirate gaped” and “gulped some grog” as some of the poetic devices in the poem.
5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
The poet describes the appearance of the dragon, Custard as one which had big sharp teeth and spikes on top of its body and scales underneath. Its mouth was like a fireplace with a chimney-like nose and sharp dagger-like toes.
6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
The rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem is ‘aabb’.
7. Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?
The poet used some interesting phrases in the poem to help us imagine things better. For example, they described someone's mouth as being like a fireplace, or their nose like a chimney. They also said someone was brave like a barrel full of bears or a tiger in a rage. Another comparison was someone attacking like a robin going after a worm. These phrases help us picture the scenes in our minds more vividly.
8. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
"The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a funny poem that everyone enjoys. It has a fun rhyme scheme and uses silly spellings to match words. The poet describes Belinda and her pets in funny ways, saying they're brave like bears and tigers. But Custard the dragon is called a coward because it's scared. However, when a pirate attacks, Custard bravely saves everyone by eating him. Even though Custard was teased, it turns out he's the bravest of all. The poem is funny and shows how things aren't always what they seem.
9. This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
Yes, there are many modern songs that tell stories, just like ballads. One example is "The A Team" by Ed Sheeran. It tells the story of a homeless woman struggling with addiction and poverty. Another example is "Stan" by Eminem, which tells the story of an obsessed fan who becomes increasingly unstable. "Hotel California" by The Eagles is another example, telling the story of a traveler who checks into a mysterious hotel. These songs use lyrics to paint vivid stories, just like traditional ballads.
Writing (Page 132)
1. Have fun writing your ballad. Gather information (choose/decide an idea/theme), organise your materials under characters and story and then write. Revise and edit your ballad to make it entertaining. Use the following guidelines to write your ballad.
• Purpose of writing the ballad: to entertain and interest
• To whom I am writing: decide for whom you are writing
• How should I structure features? :
– Tell a simple narrative
– A few major characters
– A strong rhythm and rhyme
– May have a refrain (single or two line(s) repeated often)
– Divide into verses
(Verse 1)
In a village small and quaint,
Lived a hero without restraint.
Brave and bold, with heart so true,
He set off on adventures new.
(Chorus)
Oh, the hero with his sword,
Fighting battles, his word adored.
Through valleys deep and mountains high,
He journeyed on, reaching for the sky.
(Verse 2)
On his quest, he met a friend,
A loyal companion 'til the end.
Together they faced every test,
Through storms and trials, they did their best.
(Chorus)
Oh, the hero with his sword,
Fighting battles, his word adored.
Through valleys deep and mountains high,
He journeyed on, reaching for the sky.
(Verse 3)
But danger lurked around each bend,
As foes appeared, their courage to defend.
With bravery and strength, they fought with might,
To protect the innocent and bring forth light.
(Chorus)
Oh, the hero with his sword,
Fighting battles, his word adored.
Through valleys deep and mountains high,
He journeyed on, reaching for the sky.
(Verse 4)
In the end, the hero stood tall,
Having answered destiny's call.
Though his journey was long and hard,
He emerged victorious, a hero's reward.
(Chorus)
Oh, the hero with his sword,
Fighting battles, his word adored.
Through valleys deep and mountains high,
He journeyed on, reaching for the sky.
(Outro)
So let us remember the hero's tale,
Of bravery, courage, and never-failing will.
For in every heart, there lies a spark,
To embark on adventures, even in the dark.
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