The Tale of Custard the Dragon

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Summary & Explanation

The Tale of Custard the Dragon Explanation

Paragraph 1:

“Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.”

Explanation: Belinda lives in a small white house with her pets: a black kitten named Ink, a grey mouse named Blink, a yellow dog named Mustard, and a small pet dragon named Custard. The poet uses playful language (“realio, trulio”) to emphasize the dragon’s presence.

Paragraph 2:

“Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.”

Explanation: The poet introduces the names of Belinda’s pets. The kitten is Ink, the mouse is Blink, and the dog is Mustard. Despite his fierce appearance, the dragon is a coward, so Belinda calls him Custard.

Paragraph 3:

“Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes.”

Explanation: Custard is described in detail. He has big sharp teeth, spikes on his back, scales underneath, a mouth like a fireplace, a nose like a chimney, and sharp claws like daggers. Despite his fearsome appearance, he is actually very timid.

Paragraph 4:

“Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.”

Explanation: Belinda and her other pets are described as very brave. Belinda is compared to a barrel full of bears, Ink and Blink are so brave they chase lions, and Mustard is as fierce as an angry tiger. In contrast, Custard is cowardly and always wants to be in a safe cage.

Paragraph 5:

“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.”

Explanation: Belinda and her pets often tease Custard for being cowardly. They call him Percival (a reference to a knight from Arthurian legend known for his naivety) and laugh at him while sitting in their red wagon.

Paragraph 6:

“Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Weeck! which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.”

Explanation: Belinda laughs so hard that it shakes the house. Blink makes a giggling sound (“Weeck!”), and Ink and Mustard mockingly ask Custard’s age. Custard responds by crying for his safe cage.

Paragraph 7:

“Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around.
Meowch! cried Ink, and ooh! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.”

Explanation: Suddenly, they hear a disturbing noise. Mustard growls, and everyone looks around. Ink cries “Meowch!” and Belinda exclaims “ooh!” when they see a pirate climbing through the window.

Paragraph 8:

“Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good.”

Explanation: The pirate is described as menacing. He has pistols in both hands and a bright cutlass (sword) in his teeth. He has a black beard and a wooden leg, indicating he is dangerous and up to no good.

Paragraph 9:

“Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.”

Explanation: Belinda turns pale and cries for help. Mustard runs away in fear with a yelp. Ink hides at the bottom of the house, and Blink quickly finds a hole to hide in.

Paragraph 10:

“But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.”

Explanation: Surprisingly, Custard jumps up bravely. He snorts like an engine and clashes his tail loudly. With lots of noise and movement, he attacks the pirate fiercely.

Paragraph 11:

“The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two bullets, but they didn’t hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.”

Explanation: The pirate is shocked to see Custard attacking him. He drinks some grog (alcohol) from his flask and fires two bullets at Custard, but misses. Custard then eats the pirate completely.

Paragraph 12:

“Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him,
No one mourned for his pirate victim.
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate
Around the dragon that ate the pirate.”

Explanation: Belinda hugs Custard, and Mustard licks him in gratitude. No one feels sorry for the pirate. Ink and Blink dance around Custard joyfully.

Paragraph 13:

“But presently up spoke little dog Mustard,
I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.
And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,
We’d have been three times as brave, we think,
And Custard said, I quite agree
That everybody is braver than me.”

Explanation: After the incident, Mustard claims he would have been braver if he hadn’t been scared. Ink and Blink also claim they would have been even braver. Custard humbly agrees that everyone else is braver than him.

Paragraph 14:

“Belinda still lives in her little white house,
With her little black kitten and her little grey mouse,
And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon,
And her realio, trulio little pet dragon.”

Explanation: The poem returns to its beginning description. Belinda continues to live in her white house with her pets: Ink the kitten, Blink the mouse, Mustard the dog, and Custard the dragon.

Paragraph 15:

“Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs,
Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage.”

Explanation: Despite Custard’s bravery during the pirate attack, he still prefers to be in his safe cage. Belinda remains brave like a barrel full of bears; Ink and Blink continue to chase lions; Mustard is still as fierce as an angry tiger. Custard’s nature as a cowardly dragon remains unchanged.

Word Meanings

1. Realio, trulio: These are playful, nonsensical words used by the poet to emphasize the reality and truth of the dragon’s existence.

2. Percival: A reference to Sir Percival, a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table, often depicted as naive or innocent.

3. Unmerciful: Without mercy; very harsh or severe.

4. Giggled: Laughed in a light, silly way.

5. Strategically: In a way that is carefully planned to achieve a specific goal.

6. Snorting: Making a sudden explosive sound through the nose, often indicating anger or excitement.

7. Clashed: Made a loud, harsh noise by striking together.

8. Dungeon: A dark, underground prison cell.

9. Gaped: Stared with an open mouth in amazement or wonder.

10. Grog: An alcoholic drink, especially rum diluted with water.

11. Flagon: A large container in which drink is served, typically with a handle and spout.

12. Gobbled: Ate something hurriedly and noisily.

13. Glee: Great delight or joy.

14. Gyrate: Move or cause to move rapidly in a circle or spiral.

15. Flustered: Agitated or confused.

Poetic Devices in “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”

1. Rhyme Scheme

Example: The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme.

“Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.”

2. Alliteration

Example: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.

“Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears”
“Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth”

3. Simile

Example: A comparison using “like” or “as”.

“Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears”
“Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage”
“He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm”

4. Metaphor

Example: A direct comparison without using “like” or “as”.

“Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose” (though it uses “like,” it is more metaphorical in nature)

5. Personification

Example: Giving human characteristics to non-human entities.

“Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs” (mice and kittens don’t typically chase lions)

6. Repetition

Example: Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.

“Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound”
“Realio, trulio” (repeated for emphasis and playful tone)

7. Onomatopoeia

Example: Words that imitate natural sounds.

“Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon”
“With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm”

8. Hyperbole

Example: Exaggeration for effect.

“Belinda giggled till she shook the house”

9. Irony

Example: A contrast between expectation and reality.

The dragon, who is supposed to be fierce, is actually cowardly, while the other pets who are supposed to be brave run away when danger comes.

10. Imagery

Example: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.

“Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good.”

Question & Answers

Question 1:

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

Answer:

The characters in the poem and their pet names are:

Belinda: The girl who owns the pets.
Ink: The little black kitten.
Blink: The little grey mouse.
Mustard: The little yellow dog.
Custard: The little pet dragon.

Question 2:

Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?

Answer:

Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was very timid and fearful, despite his fierce appearance. He preferred the safety and security of a cage over facing any potential danger. The dragon is called “cowardly dragon” because, unlike the other brave pets, Custard was always scared and wanted to be in a safe place.

Question 3:

“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?

Answer:

Belinda tickled Custard unmercifully to tease him for being cowardly. It was a way for her and the other pets to mock Custard’s timidity and to have fun at his expense.

Question 4:

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?

Answer:

Here are some more poetic devices used in the poem:

Alliteration: “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears”
Simile: “Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage”
Onomatopoeia: “With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm”
Repetition: “Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound”
Hyperbole: “Belinda giggled till she shook the house”

Question 5:

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

Answer:

In stanza three, the poet describes Custard the dragon as having big sharp teeth, spikes on top of him, scales underneath, a mouth like a fireplace, a chimney for a nose, and daggers on his toes. This vivid description highlights Custard’s fierce and intimidating appearance.

Question 6:

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

Answer:

The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB. Here are two stanzas with their rhyme schemes:

Stanza 1:
- Belinda lived in a little white house, (A)
- With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse, (A)
- And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon, (B)
- And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon. (B)
Stanza 2:
- Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink, (A)
- And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink, (A)
- And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard, (B)
- But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard. (B)

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:

Some vivid images used in the poem include:

“Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose” – This creates an image of Custard’s fiery breath and nostrils.
“Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon” – This evokes the sound and imagery of heavy metal clashing in a dark, echoing dungeon.
“He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm” – This simile creates an image of Custard attacking swiftly and decisively.

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 poem. The playful language, whimsical descriptions, and humorous contrast between Custard’s fierce appearance and his cowardly behavior contribute to its light-hearted tone. The poem uses exaggeration and irony to entertain readers rather than convey a serious message.

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:

Yes, there are several Indian songs that tell a story, much like a ballad. One notable example is “Luka Chuppi” from the movie “Rang De Basanti.” This song narrates the emotional journey of a mother searching for her son, capturing the essence of a narrative ballad.

Another example is “Teri Mitti” from the movie “Kesari,” which tells the story of a soldier’s love and sacrifice for his country.

Example Modern Storytelling Songs in Indian Context:

“Luka Chuppi” from Rang De Basanti:
- Story: The song portrays the deep emotional bond between a mother and her son, and the mother’s longing and search for her son who has gone missing.
- Key Lyrics: “Luka chuppi bahut hui, saamne aa ja na” (Enough of this hide and seek, come in front of me now).
“Teri Mitti” from Kesari:
- Story: This song is a tribute to the soldiers who sacrifice their lives for their motherland. It expresses the soldier’s love for his country and his willingness to lay down his life for it.
- Key Lyrics: “Teri mitti mein mil jaawaan, gul ban ke main khil jaawaan” (Let me merge with your soil, let me bloom as a flower).

Writing Portion

Q. Have fun writing your ballad. Gather information (choose/decide an idea/theme), organize your materials under characters and story, and then write. Revise and edit your ballad to make it entertaining. Use the following guidelines to write your ballad.

Purpose of writing the ballad: to entertain and interest
To whom I am writing: decide for whom you are writing
How should I structure features?:
- Tell a simple narrative
- A few major characters
- A strong rhythm and rhyme
- May have a refrain (single or two line(s) repeated often)
- Divide into verses

Topic: The Class 10 Board Exam Struggle

Purpose of Writing the Ballad:

To entertain and interest students, teachers, and parents by capturing the common struggles and experiences of Class 10 students preparing for their board exams.

To Whom I Am Writing:

This ballad is written for Class 10 students, their teachers, and parents who can relate to the stress and challenges of board exam preparation.

Structure Features:

Tell a Simple Narrative: Focus on the journey of a student preparing for the board exams.
A Few Major Characters: Include the student, their supportive parents, and a strict but caring teacher.
A Strong Rhythm and Rhyme: Maintain a consistent meter and rhyme scheme.
May Have a Refrain: Include a repeated line or two to emphasize key points.
Divide into Verses: Break the story into stanzas, each advancing the plot.

The Ballad

Verse 1:
In a small town, not far away,
Lived a student named Raj, bright as day.
Class 10 exams were drawing near,
Filling his heart with hope and fear.