The Tale of Custard the Dragon Class 10 Worksheet English Chapter 1

Q.1. 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: aa, bb 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.2. How did Belinda and her pets behave when the pirate had been killed by Custard?

When the pirate had been killed by Custard, Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him and Ink and Blink gyrated around him.

Q.3. The dragon, custard was considered a coward. The humble dragon proved his bravery in adversity. Analyse that certain qualities like bravery and courage are situational and spontaneous.Express your views with reference to the poem.

Custard’s humbleness won every reader’s heart as he showed true bravery and did not boast like Belinda and her other pets. Everyone boasted of their bravery but when they faced real danger, it was only Custard, who had the courage to face it. And he proved his bravery by not running away and facing the pirate and killing him. Qualities like bravery and courage can only be tested when someone is actually put in a dangerous situation. Therefore, these qualities are situational as becomes clear from Custard’s example. Custard looked for comfort all the time but this did not mean that he was a coward.

Q.4. How is ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ a ballad?

A ballad is a poem that tells a story. The theme of a ballad is an adventure, bravery, romance,etc. Then it is highly musical due to its rhyme scheme. This poem has these qualities. But it is a parody of a ballad. The poet shows these qualities in a humorous way.

Q.5. Do you think that one should be made fun of because of their ‘preferences and choices in life? Explain in the context of Custard, the dragon.

It is not right to make fun of anyone on the basis of their life style and their choices. Custard, the dragon, always wanted comfort and safety for him and therefore always cried for a nice safe cage. Belinda and other pets of the house made fun of him because they thought that he was a coward. Custard proved that just because he likes comfort, he is not a coward. In fact, he was the only one, who had the courage to face the pirate and kill him.

Q.6. How did Custard the dragon face the pirate? What was the outcome of their fight?

Custard the dragon jumped up snorting. He clashed his tail. Thus, he prepared himself to face the pirate. The pirate was amazed at this heroic gesture of the dragon. He gulped some wine to cheer up his drooping spirits. He fired two bullets but missed the aim. In the mean time, Custard the dragon swallowed him.

Q.7. Why is it fair to say that Custard could be the ‘poster boy’ for the belief that the real nature of a person is revealed at times of the greatest difficulty?

Belinda and her pets used to make fun of Custard and call her a coward. But Custard displayed his courage and strength in times of real danger by fighting with the pirate. This incident proved him a superhero who was capable of becoming a poster boy.

Q.8. Why is it fair to say that Custard could be the ‘poster boy’ for the belief that the real nature of a person is revealed at times of the greatest difficulty?

Belinda and her pets used to make fun of Custard and call her a coward. But Custard displayed his courage and strength in times of real danger by fighting with the pirate. This incident proved him a superhero who was capable of becoming a poster boy.

Q.9.  The usage of words like ‘realio trulio’ creates a wonderful poetic effect. How?

This poem is a Ballad. The poet has changed the spellings of the words ‘real’ and ‘true’ to realio and trulio. It has created a musical effect on the poem. These words would not have added the same effect with their correct spelling.

Q.10. State the reason you think the poet named the animals- Ink, Blink, Mustard and Custard?

It seems the poet had named the kitten- Ink, because she was black in colour, mustard is a yellow plant and the dog was also yellow in colour. I believe she changed the name slightly and called him Custard to rhyme with Mustard.