(Poem) The Tale of Custard the Dragon English class 10 in English Medium ncert book solutions NCERT Textbook Questions & Answers

Chapter 7. (Poem) The Tale of Custard the Dragon

This section contains the NCERT textbook questions and answers based on The Tale of Custard the Dragon. The answers are written in simple, accurate, and exam-oriented language according to the latest CBSE syllabus.

NCERT Textbook Questions & Answers

The following questions are based on the poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash. Read them carefully to understand the poem's humour, irony, and message about true courage.

Thinking About the Poem

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

Answer:

The characters in the poem are:

• Belinda – The little girl.
• Ink – The black kitten.
• Blink – The little grey mouse.
• Mustard – The yellow dog.
• Custard – The pet dragon.

Question 2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called 'cowardly dragon'?

Answer:

Custard always asked for a nice safe cage because he appeared to be timid and wanted to feel protected. For this reason, Belinda and the other pets believed that he was cowardly and often laughed at him. However, his behaviour later proves that he is actually the bravest of them all.

Question 3. "Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful..." Why?

Answer:

Belinda tickled Custard because she considered him a coward. She and the other pets enjoyed making fun of him whenever he asked for a safe cage.

Question 4. The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example, "Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon" — the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, find some more examples of poetic devices used in the poem?

Answer:

Simile:

• "Mouth like a fireplace."
• "Nose like a chimney."
• "Teeth like daggers."
• "Went at the pirate like a robin at a worm."

Alliteration:

• "Belinda was as brave."
• "Custard the dragon."
• "Suddenly, suddenly."
• "Realio, trulio."

Repetition:

• "Little little."
• "Suddenly, suddenly."
• "Realio, trulio."

Question 5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.

Answer:

The poet describes Custard as a dragon with big sharp teeth, spikes on his back, scales underneath, a mouth like a fireplace, a nose like a chimney, and sharp claws. Although his appearance is frightening, he is gentle and kind-hearted.

Question 6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?

Answer:

The poem mainly follows the rhyme scheme AABB. The regular rhyme pattern gives the poem the style of a humorous ballad and makes it enjoyable to read aloud.

Question 7. 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?

Answer:

The poem contains many vivid images, such as:

• Custard's mouth like a fireplace.
• Custard's nose like a chimney.
• Teeth like sharp daggers.
• The pirate carrying pistols in both hands and a sword in his mouth.
• Custard swallowing the pirate in a single gulp.

These images make the poem lively, humorous, and easy to imagine.

Question 8. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer:

The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a light-hearted and humorous poem. Ogden Nash uses funny situations, playful language, exaggeration, and irony to entertain the readers. The poem becomes amusing because the characters who boast about their bravery become frightened when the pirate appears, while Custard, who is always called a coward, turns out to be the bravest of them all. Although the poem carries the important message that true courage is proved through actions, its overall tone remains cheerful and humorous.

Question 9. This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.

Answer:

This is a classroom activity and students may answer it on their own. One example of a modern narrative song is "We Shall Overcome", which tells a story of hope, courage, unity, and determination. Students may also collect other story-based songs or lyrics as part of a classroom project.

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