NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 9 - The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Q1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Ans: The characters in this poem include:

• Belinda - the main character
• Blink - a little grey mouse
• Mustard - a little yellow dog
• Custard - a little pet dragon
• The Pirate - the antagonist
• Ink - a little black kitten

Q2. 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 he felt afraid and wanted to feel secure. It is called a “cowardly dragon” because, unlike the other pets in the house, he lacked bravery. 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 a rage. Compared to them, Custard cried asking for a nice and safe cage, which is why it is called a coward.

Q3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why? 
Ans: Belinda tickled the dragon unmercifully because it was very scared and cried for a safe cage. They all laughed at it as it was a coward.

Q4. 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?
Ans: The poet employs various poetic devices throughout the poem, enhancing its richness. Here are some notable examples:

• Repetition: The word ‘little’ is repeated in the first stanza to highlight that everything, from the house to Belinda and her pets, is small.
• Incorrect Spelling: In the seventh stanza, the poet uses ‘winda’ instead of ‘window’ to maintain the rhyme with ‘Belinda’.
• Alliteration: In the tenth stanza, phrases like ‘Custard crashed’ and ‘clatter’ create a rhythmic sound.
• Imagery: The poet uses vivid descriptions, such as the pirate ‘gaping’ and ‘gulping’ grog, to paint a clear picture.
• Similes: The poet frequently uses similes, such as “clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon.”

Q5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.

Ans: 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.

Q6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Ans: The rhyme scheme of each stanza of this poem is aabb.

Q7. 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?
Ans: Some use words used to give us a picture or image are:

• chimney for a nose
• brave as a barrel full of bears
• brave as a tiger in a rage
• went at the pirate like a robin at a worm
• mouth like a fireplace

Q8. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
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.