Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

Q.1. Why do you think Custard, the dragon, was called a coward? How was Custard able to save all his housemates from the pirate? What values should Belinda have possessed so that custard could have been among her favourites?

• The dragon appeared to be a coward as he always cried for a safe cage so he was called a cowardly dragon. 
• Later, when the pirate entered the house with pistols in his left and right hand, everyone was scared and ran away and disappeared, except Custard who faced him boldly-attacked him, hit him hard with his forceful tail, and gobbled every bit of him.
• Belinda should have been nice to him. She should have made him feel comfortable and safe in the house instead of laughing and making fun of him with other pets. Belinda should have been protective towards him.

Q.2.  Custard though mocked for his cowardice, displayed courage and was the one who saved the day in the end. 
Pick a character from any of the units (lessons/poems) in First Flight, who displayed similar characteristics, like Custard and overcame a troubling issue. What similarities and differences do you find between the character and Custard?

• Custard, the dragon is portrayed as a timid dragon. He is also a humble dragon, pure in character. He never boasted about his bravery. Courage can be measured at the time of serious situation. And custard proved that he was the most courageous among all by not running away from the danger. 
• According to me, the similar characteristics, like Custard can be seen in Wanda Petronski from the chapter ‘The Hundred Dresses’ written by EL Bsor Ester Wanda was very shy and quiet. She did not talk to anyone and hardly spoke anything in class or laughed. She quietly Sat in the last raw of the class with naughty boys so that nobody noticed her. Everybody teased her in class for her dress and shoes every day.
•  In anger, she claimed of having a hundred dresses and six pairs of shoes at hours. She was very determined and humble. She showed her determination in drawing competitions by displaying a hundred sketches of dresses. She claimed to own. She possessed a great capacity for forgiveness and extending friendship. 
• She, too, overcame a troubling issue like Custard, the dragon with humility.  

Q.3. Why did Custard cry for a nice, safe cage? Why is the dragon called the "cowardly dragon"? How did he prove everyone wrong?

Custard cried for a nice, safe cage because it was afraid of the pirate who came to the house. The dragon is called "cowardly" because it is not as brave as the other characters in the poem, such as Belinda, Ink, Blink, and Mustard.

However, Custard proves everyone wrong by facing the pirate bravely and defeating him. Despite being called a cowardly dragon, Custard shows that he is capable of bravery when it really counts.

Q.4. Despite being so powerful and displaying rare bravery by killing and swallowing the pirate, why does the dragon Custard taunt as being a coward, always asking for a nice safe cage?

Custard is constantly ridiculed and taunted by the weaker and more cowardly pets of Belinda. However, this is not because he lacks physical strength or bravery. In fact, Custard is very powerful and demonstrated rare bravery by killing and swallowing the pirate who tried to attack him.

The real reason Custard is taunted as being a coward is because he has low self-esteem and lacks confidence. He is constantly belittled by the other pets, especially the kitten, who tells him that he is not brave and that he should stay in a nice, safe cage. This constant taunting and ridicule has made Custard doubt his own bravery and strength, and he feels safer in a cage.

Despite his physical strength, Custard does not have self-respect and is not aware of his own abilities. He always asks for a nice safe cage for his protection. This is the reason why he is constantly taunted and ridiculed as a coward.

In summary, Custard's physical strength and bravery do not match his lack of self-esteem and confidence, which makes him feel safer in a cage and subject to ridicule from the other pets.

Q.5. "Bravery is spontaneous." Explain concerning the poem.

• Custard was truly brave and did not boast like Belinda and her other pets. Custard had the courage to face real danger, whereas everyone else only boasted of their bravery. Custard faced the pirate and killed him, and he proved it by not running away. 
• Bravery and courage are qualities which are, exhibited when someone actually faces a dangerous situation. Thus, these qualities are spontaneous, taking the example of Custard.

Q.6. Evaluate Ogden Nash’s ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ as a ballad. What message does the poet give to the readers in this poem?

• Ballads are stories told in verse. Generally, ballads are tales of adventures and heroism. In the poem, the poet does present the encounter of Custard and the pirate in the typical spirit of a ballad. The four-line stanzas have the rhyme scheme is aabb throughout the poem.
• Ogden Nash gives a subtle message to the readers through the fate of Custard, the dragon. In this world of deceit, self-confidence, self-dependence and self-respect are essentials to earn your rightful place among your peers. The mere presence of physical strength is not enough. 
• The more important point is that you must be conscious of your strength. You must be fully aware of the fact that many others who are far inferior in strength and power should have no right to taunt and ridicule you.

Q.7.  Custard was discriminated against, bullied, and made fun of.  Such behaviour often has a disastrous impact on the victims and leaves a permanent scar on their minds.  Write the opinions of Wanda and Mandela on this issue. 

• Wanda: In my opinion, the way Custard was discriminated against, bullied, and made fun of was completely unfair and unacceptable. Such behavior can have a devastating impact on the victim's mental health, and it is important to take a stand against it. The victim should not be blamed for what happened, and the bullies should be held accountable for their actions.
• Nelson Mandela: I strongly believe that no one should be discriminated against, bullied, or made fun of, regardless of their appearance, abilities, or personality. It is important to promote a culture of respect and understanding, where everyone is valued for who they are. The victim should be supported and empowered to stand up against the bully, and the bully should be educated and given a chance to change their behavior.

Q.8. When the pirate attacked Belinda, three of her brave friends—Ink, Blink and Mustard—ran away. Only Custard fought with the enemy. Based on your reading of the poem, write a paragraph on the topic: "A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed."

"A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed" is a famous proverb that holds true in the poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon." The poem tells the story of Belinda and her friends Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard, who is a dragon. When a pirate attacks Belinda, three of her friends run away in fear, leaving only Custard to fight the enemy. This act of bravery demonstrates that Custard is a true friend who stands by Belinda in her time of need, just as a real friend would.

In life, we may come across many people who claim to be our friends, but true friends are those who stay with us through thick and thin. A true friend is one who is always there for you, whether you need emotional support, practical help, or even physical protection. In the poem, Custard shows that he is a true friend by risking his own life to protect Belinda from harm. This is a valuable lesson that teaches us the importance of cherishing true friendships and standing by our friends in their time of need.

In conclusion, "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" reinforces the old proverb that "A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed." Custard's bravery and loyalty to Belinda demonstrate the qualities of a true friend, and the poem teaches us the value of such friendships. True friends are rare and precious, and we must cherish them and be there for them when they need us, just as they are there for us.

Q.9. Everyone believed that Custard was a coward, but when an opportunity came he showed exemplary courage. Based on your reading of the poem, write a paragraph on the topic: "Courage is a Mind, not a Muscle."

In "The Tale of Custard the Dragon," the character of Custard is initially portrayed as a cowardly dragon who is afraid of mice. However, when a real danger arises and his friends are in trouble, Custard overcomes his fear and shows exemplary courage. This suggests that courage is not simply a matter of physical strength, but a mindset that allows one to face and overcome one's fears. Custard's transformation from a timid dragon to a brave one also shows that one's true character is often revealed in moments of crisis. Therefore, the poem suggests that courage is not a muscle that can be flexed, but a quality that lies within us and can be cultivated through experience and self-reflection.