“The Tale of Custard the Dragon” is a humorous ballad written by Ogden Nash. The poem tells the story of a girl named Belinda and her four pets: a little black kitten (Ink), a little grey mouse (Blink), a yellow dog (Mustard), and Custard the dragon. While everyone believed Custard was a coward, the poem takes a surprising turn when Custard proves his bravery by saving the day when a pirate attacks their home. Through playful rhyme and humorous characters, Nash explores the themes of courage, appearances, and self-perception.
Here are some 3-mark and 6-mark questions with value points and answers:
3-Marks Questions
- Who were the characters in Belinda’s house in “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”?
- Value Points:
- Belinda: lived in a white house with her pets.
- Ink: a black kitten.
- Blink: a grey mouse.
- Mustard: a brave dog.
- Custard: a cowardly dragon.
Answer: The characters in Belinda’s house were Belinda, who lived with her pets—Ink, a black kitten; Blink, a grey mouse; Mustard, a brave dog; and Custard, a dragon who was considered cowardly.
- Why was Custard considered a coward?
- Value Points:
- Often cried for a safe cage.
- Was ridiculed by the other pets for his fear.
- His behavior contrasted with their brave attitudes.
Answer: Custard was considered a coward because he often cried for a safe cage, displaying fear and insecurity. The other pets ridiculed him for his behavior, as it contrasted with their brave attitudes.
- How did the other animals in the poem mock Custard?
- Value Points:
- Ink and Blink called themselves braver than Custard.
- Mustard, the dog, also mocked Custard’s fear.
- They made fun of Custard’s desire for safety.
Answer: The other animals mocked Custard by claiming they were braver than him. Ink, Blink, and Mustard all ridiculed Custard for his fear and laughed at his constant desire for safety and a cage.
- What happened when the pirate appeared in Belinda’s house?
- Value Points:
- A pirate with pistols and a cutlass entered.
- Belinda and her pets were frightened.
- Custard sprang into action and defeated the pirate.
Answer: When the pirate appeared in Belinda’s house, everyone, including Belinda and her pets, was frightened. However, Custard sprang into action, fought the pirate bravely, and eventually defeated him.
- What was the irony in Custard’s behavior during the pirate attack?
- Value Points:
- Custard, the “coward,” was the only one who acted bravely.
- The other pets, who mocked him, were scared.
- The poem reversed expectations.
Answer: The irony in Custard’s behavior during the pirate attack was that, despite being labeled a coward, he was the only one who acted bravely and defeated the pirate. The other pets, who had previously mocked him for being scared, were themselves terrified.
6-Marks Questions
- How did the poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” reflect the theme of bravery versus cowardice?
- Value Points:
- Custard was ridiculed for being cowardly.
- The other pets boasted about their bravery.
- During the pirate attack, the brave pets were terrified, while Custard fought.
- Showed that true bravery is revealed in moments of crisis.
Answer: The poem reflected the theme of bravery versus cowardice by portraying Custard as a coward who was constantly ridiculed by the other pets for his fear. They boasted about their bravery, but when faced with the pirate, the supposedly brave pets were all terrified. Surprisingly, Custard, who had been labeled a coward, was the only one who exhibited true courage by defeating the pirate. The poem demonstrated that true bravery is revealed in moments of crisis and may not align with outward appearances or prior reputations.
- Discuss the use of humor in “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” and how it contributed to the poem’s message.
- Value Points:
- Humor through exaggerated characters (e.g., a dragon afraid of everything).
- Pets’ mockery of Custard is playful, not cruel.
- The humorous twist when Custard, the “coward,” saves the day.
- Teaches a lesson about not judging others by appearances.
Answer: Humor played a significant role in “The Tale of Custard the Dragon,” contributing to the poem’s lighthearted tone and message. The exaggerated portrayal of a dragon, typically seen as fierce, being afraid of everything was amusing. The way the pets mock Custard was playful rather than harsh, adding to the poem’s whimsical nature. The humorous twist occurred when Custard, the so-called coward, ended up saving the day, highlighting the irony and teaching a valuable lesson about not judging others based solely on appearances.
- How did the poem subvert the traditional expectations of a dragon’s character?
- Value Points:
- Dragons are usually depicted as fierce and dangerous.
- Custard was timid and afraid, wanting a safe cage.
- The poem played on this contrast for comedic effect.
- Ultimately, Custard proved to be brave when necessary.
Answer: The poem subverted the traditional expectations of a dragon’s character by presenting Custard as timid and afraid, a stark contrast to the typical portrayal of dragons as fierce and dangerous creatures. Custard’s fear and desire for a safe cage were unexpected qualities for a dragon, which created a comedic effect. However, in the end, Custard displayed real bravery when he fought and defeated the pirate, overturning the stereotype of dragons and showing that bravery is not always visible at first glance.
- What message did the poem convey about appearances and true nature?
- Value Points:
- Appearances can be deceiving.
- The bravest pets turned out to be scared in a real crisis.
- Custard, who appeared cowardly, was brave when it mattered.
- The poem emphasized that people (or animals) may surprise you.
Answer: The poem conveyed the message that appearances can be deceiving and that true nature is revealed in moments of crisis. While the other pets appeared brave and ridiculed Custard for his fear, they turned out to be terrified when the pirate attacked. In contrast, Custard, who seemed cowardly, acted bravely when it truly mattered. The poem emphasized that individuals may surprise others with their actions, and one’s outward appearance or reputation may not always reflect their true character.
- How did the poet create a contrast between Custard and the other animals in terms of their personality?
- Value Points:
- Ink, Blink, and Mustard were portrayed as brave and bold.
- They constantly mocked Custard’s fear.
- Custard was depicted as timid and cowardly.
- In the end, the contrast was reversed when Custard acted bravely.
Answer: The poet created a contrast between Custard and the other animals by initially portraying Ink, Blink, and Mustard as brave and bold, while Custard was depicted as timid and cowardly. The other pets constantly mocked Custard for his fear and desire for safety, reinforcing the difference in their personalities. However, the contrast was reversed during the pirate attack, when the supposedly brave pets were terrified, and Custard, the timid dragon, acted with courage and defeated the pirate. This reversal highlighted the gap between appearances and true courage.
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