The Tale of Custard the Dragon NCERT Solutions Class 10

This post ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon NCERT Solutions Class 10’ provides NCERT solutions for Class 10th English First Flight poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash. I recommend first read the summary of The Tale of Custard the Dragon to understand the Thinking about the Poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon questions better.

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Thinking about the Poem

Q.1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Ans.

Q.2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?
Ans. Custard cried for a safe cage because he was timid and wanted safety and security. He is called a “cowardly dragon” because, in spite of his fierce looks, sharp teeth, spikes, scales and daggers on his toes, he always appeared frightened, while the others boasted of their bravery.

Q.3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?
Ans. Belinda and the pets tickled him to make fun of his cowardice. It seemed funny to them that a dragon with such a fearsome appearance should be so afraid, so they teased him mercilessly.

Q.4. Poetic devices used in the poem:

Q.5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
Ans. The dragon had big sharp teeth, spikes on his back and scales underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace, his nose like a chimney, and he had dagger-like claws on his toes. He looked extremely fierce and frightening.

Q.6. Rhyme scheme of the poem.
Ans. The poem is written in rhyming couplets; the rhyme scheme is aabb.

Q.7. Images used in the poem:

• Belinda’s little white house with her pets and red wagon
• The fierce-looking dragon with a fireplace mouth and chimney nose
• The pirate with two pistols, a cutlass in his teeth, a black beard and a wooden leg
• Custard snorting like an engine and attacking like a robin at a worm
• Ink and Blink dancing in glee around the dragon

Q.8. Is the poem serious or light-hearted?
Ans. It is a light-hearted poem. Reasons:

• The names of the characters are funny (Ink, Blink, Mustard, Custard, Percival).
• The poet invents comic words like realio, trulio and winda.
• The exaggerations and comparisons are humorous.
• Nobody mourns the pirate, and the boastful animals make excuses at the end. It is a mock-heroic ballad meant to amuse, though it quietly teaches that true bravery is shown in action, not in words.

Q.9. Modern songs or lyrics that tell a story.
Ans. Yes. Many modern songs are like ballads because they narrate a complete story with characters and events; for example, folk songs, film songs and story-based rap songs. Students may collect such songs and present them in class. (This is a personal answer. Write about any story-song you know.)

Word Meanings (Quick Revision)