Introduction: The Tale of Custard the Dragon - Class 10 PDF Download

About the Author- Ogden Nash
Ogden Nash – A Short Biography
Ogden Nash was born on 19 August 1902 in New York. He worked as a school teacher before becoming a copywriter. Nash’s first poems were published in ‘New Yorker’ in 1930. His first collection of poems entitled ‘Hard Lines’ was published in 1931. ‘The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus’ (1957) and ‘Girls are Silly’ (1962) are among his famous books. Nash is perhaps best remembered for his ‘non-sense poetry’. Nash died on 19 May 1971.

INTRODUCTION

this is a comical poem written by Ogden Nash. It is written in the form of a ballad. Belinda lives in a little white house with her four pets. They are Ink-little black kitten, Blink-a little grey mouse, Mustard-a little yellow dog and custard-a little pet dragon. They have a red wagon. A pirate attacks them. Belinda cries for help. The dragon gobbles the pirate.

Central Idea of the Poem

`The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a whimsical fantasy. Belinda lives alone in her house with four pets, a dog, a cat, a mouse and a dragon named Custard. All other dwellers of the house except Custard, pride themselves on their fearlessness. They mock poor Custard for his timidity. However, when the real danger comes all others run away in a panic except Custard. Only Custard fights ferociously and swallows the pirate. The poem ends ironically. After the danger is past, everyone begins to boast about their courage. Ironically, Custard who fought like a hero against the pirate agrees that everyone else is braver than he is. So, appearances may be deceptive. And even your merit and real value may not be recognised by your unwilling rivals.

Style

Ogden Nash is remembered for his ‘non-sense poetry’. The story is an unusual one. It is full of rhyming words like `realio, trulio’, ‘Ink and Blink’, etc. The rhyming scheme of the lines is a a, b b. The poem was written especially for children, in fact, looks like a fairy tale. In the poem, we find a fantastical creature like Custard the dragon, as well as everyday creatures like the cat, the dog and the mouse. All these characters are ‘personified’. The poet uses the poetic device of an oxymoron when he writes the phrase ‘pet dragon’. Dragons can’t be kept as pets. The poet uses similes as poetic devices when he compares the dragon’s mouth with a fireplace or compares Belinda with a barrel of bears.

Word-Meaning

Kitten— the young one of a cat, Grey— of grey colour, Mouse— rat, Wagon— (here) cart Realio— really, Trulio— truly, Sharp- very active, of sharp mind, Dragon— (here) a large aggressive animal with wings and a long tail, that can breathe out fire, Coward- a person who lacks courage, Spikes— sharp nails Scales— (here) layers, Underneath— below, Fireplace— hearth, Daggers— a sharp small sword, Barrel – a big box, Stairs— a set of steps leading from one floor to another, Chase-  to follow someone, Cage— a lace where bird and animals are kept in the zoo, Tickled— moved fingers on the sensitive part to make laugh, Unmerciful— without kindness, Rudely— in a rude manner, Percival— a hero, Cowardly— one who is easily frightened, Giggled— laughed rudely Said weeck— (here) giggled like a mouse, Rudely— in an insulting manner, Nasty— bad, unpleasant, Growled— growled in anger Meowch— cried like a cat, Pirate— a sea-robber, Winda (Window)— the passage in the wall for fresh air and sunlight, Cutlass- a dagger, Meant no good— his intention was not good. Paled— her complexion faded, Fled— (and form of fleeing) ran away, Terrified— in terror, Yelp— cry, Trickle— to reached, Strategically— (here) as the situation demanded, Mousehole— entered the hole, Snorting— making the sound of an engine, Clashed— struck, Dungeon— prison, Clatter and clank— making a rattling sound, Jangle— making a harsh metallic sound, Squirm— wriggle, Robin— a sparrow, Worm— insect, Gape— watched intently, Gulped— drank down, Grog— (here) wine, Flagon— a narrow container, Fired— fired bullets, Gobbled— swallowed, Every bit— completely, Embraced— held tightly in arms, Lick— licked with tongue, Mourned— expressed grief, Victim— prey, Glee— happiness, Gyrate— danced around,  Presently- now, spoke- 2^nd  form of speak: said Flustered— became nervous Quite – completely,