The Tale of Custard the Dragon- Important Extra Questions- Short Answer Type

The Tale of Custard the Dragon

By– Ogden Nash

1. Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears’ Identify two poetic devices used in the above line.

Ans. (a) As brave as a barrel—Similie.

(b) Brave, a barrel full of bears—Alliteration.

2. Why did Belinda cry for help? Who came to her help?

Ans. (i) Belinda cried for help because she was afraid of the pirate who had:tale:kin: dill

(ii) The custard came to her help.

3. How did Belinda’s pets other than Custard face the pirate?

Ans. All the animals other than the dragon used to boast about their bravery and made the fun of the dragon. But when the pirate entered the house, all got scared and ran away and disappeared except Custard, the dragon.

4. How did each of Belinda’s pets react at the sight of the pirate?

Ans. Each of Belinda’s pets ran away and hid. They were scared at the sight of the pirate.

5. Give a brief description of the pirate in the poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon’.

Ans. The pirate entered from the window. He had pistols in his left and right hand. He held a bright cutlass in his teeth. His beard was black and one leg was wood.

6. Belinda was a sweet little girl who lived in her sweet little white house. Who else lived with her in that house?

Who all lived in a white house with Belinda?

Ans. Belinda lived in a white house with Ink— a black kitten, Blink — a grey mouse, Mustard — a yellow dog, Custard — a dragon and a red wagon.

7. Why did everyone make fun of the dragon?

Ans. Everyone in the house used to laugh at the dragon because he always cried for a safe cage whereas others used to boast about their bravery.

Q.8. How did they say their admiration for the dragon after the death of the pirate?

Ans. They became very happy. Belinda embraced him. Mustard licked him. Ink and Blink jumped round surrounding him. They expressed their joy in this way. No one mourned for the pirate.

Q.9. What did they say about their bravery after the pirate’s death?

Ans. Mustard said that he would have been twice as brave if he had not got nervous. Ink and Blink said that they had been three times as brave as he. But Custard said that he agreed with them. He said that they were braver than him.

Q.10. Who among them was actually brave? How did he show his bravery?

Ans. Custard, the dragon, was the only one who was actually brave. The others were all cowards. They disappeared when they saw the pirate. But the dragon-faced him bravely and swallowed him up.

Q.11. How is ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ a ballad? [H.B.S.E. March 2017 (Set-C)]

Ans. 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.12. What were the pet names of Belinda’s animals?

Ans. The little black kitten was called Ink. She gave the name Blink to the little grey mouse. The little yellow dog’s pet name was Mustard. The dragon was given the pet name Custard.

Q.13. How does the poet describe Belinda and her animals’ bravery? How was Custard different from them?

Ans. The poet says that Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears. Ink and Blink followed lions down the stairs. Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage. But Custard was a coward. He kept crying for a nice safe cage.

Q.14. How did the animals make fun of the dragon?

Ans. They laughed at the dragon. Belinda teased the dragon. She tickled him very hard. Ink, Blink and Mustard called him Percival. They sat in the red wagon and laughed at the cowardly dragon.

Q.15. Belinda and the other animals have been described as brave. But on seeing the pirate they behaved in a cowardly way. How did they react?

Ans. Belinda turned pale with fear. She cried for help. Mustard ran barking fearfully. Ink went to the bottom of the house. The little mouse ran into his hole in no time.

Q.16. How did Custard prove to be brave when the pirate came?

Ans. Custard, the dragon, jumped and snorted like an engine. He struck the pirate with his tail like irons. There were different sounds of clatter, clank and jangle. He attacked the pirate as a robin attacks a worm.

Q.17. How did the pirate react when the dragon attacked him?

Ans. The pirate looked at the dragon with an open mouth. He swallowed some liquor from his pocket flagon. He fired two bullets. But they did not hit the dragon. The dragon attacked him and swallowed him.

Q.18. Where did Belinda live? Which animals lived with her?

Ans. Belinda lived in a little white house. Some animals also lived with her. They were: a little black kitten, a little grey mouse, a little yellow dog and little pet dragon.

Q19. What were the names of Belinda’s pets? Do their names reflect their personalities?

Ans. Belinda has four pets. They are a little black kitten, Ink, a little yellow dog, Mustard, a grey mouse named Blink and a dragon called Custard. Yes, their names reflect their colours and traits. The black kitten Ink is black as ink. Mustard, the dog is yellow like mustard flowers. The cowardly Custard has no strength of character like the dish, custard.

Q20. How is the bravery of Belinda and her pets described in the poem? Do they really prove their courage and bravery?

Ans. Belinda and her pets are projected as very courageous and brave in the poem. Belinda is braver than a barrel of bears. Ink and Blink could chase even lions down the stairs. Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage. Only Custard, the dragon was considered to be timid and cowardly. Ironically, all proved cowards except Custard who fought against and swallowed the pirate.

Q21. Describe the outward appearance of Custard, the dragon. Why did he always cry for a nice safe cage?

Ans. Outwardly, Custard was a picture of power and strength. His teeth were big and sharp. There were spikes on top of him. His mouth spat fire. He had a big nose that resembled a chimney. There were daggers on his toes. However, Custard didn’t possess the strength of character. He lacked courage. He was not the courage of his real strength and always begged for a nice safe cage for his protection.

Q22. Why did Belinda tickle Custard mercilessly? Why was he teased as `Percival’?

Ans. Belinda had a very poor opinion of Custard. She considered him a coward and always taunted and tickled him for being so. All other pets, Ink, Blink and Mustard mocked at Custard’s timidity and lack of courage. Tauntingly, they called him Percival, who was a brave knight of King Arthur.

Q23. How did they react when they heard a nasty sound?

Ans. Suddenly, Belinda and her pets heard a nasty sound. They were highly surprised. Mustard growled and Ink mewed. Belinda, herself gave a cry of disbelief. Actually, it was the sound of a pirate climbing through the window.

Q24. Describe the dreadful appearance of the pirate.

Ans. The pirate looked quite dreadful aitanddominating. He carried a pistol in his left as well as in right hand. He held a shining dagger in his mouth. His beard was black and one of his legs was of wood. It seemed that his intentions were terrible.

Q25. How did Belinda and her pets react to seeing the pirate?

Ans. Belinda and her pets were completely terrified of seeing the pirate. Belinda became pale with fear. She started crying for help. The dog Mustard fled with a terrified yelp. Ink hid and Blink saved himself by entering a hole.

Q26. How did Custard face the pirate differently than Belinda and her pets?

Ans. While Belinda herself was terrified on seeing the pirate, her other pets also behaved quite cowardly. While they fled away in fear, Custard faced the pirate like a hero. He attacked the pirate with his tall tail. He pounced upon the pirate as a robin pounces upon an insect. He swallowed the pirate within no time.

Q27. Why did Belinda and her pets prove ungrateful to Custard who killed the pirate? Why did they again start calling him timid and cowardly?

Ans. Belinda and her pets showed a temporary appreciation of Custard’s heroic feat. Belinda embraced him and other pets danced around him. But that was the end of it. They again started indulging in self-patting and self-praise. They showed their Ungratefulness by undermining and not acknowledging Custard heroic fight with the pirate.

Q28. How did Belinda and her pets behave when the pirate was killed?

Ans. Belinda became so happy that she embraced Custard intimately. Her pets also celebrated the death of the pirate by dancing around Custard joyfully. However, they gave no credit to Custard for his heroic feat. On the other hand, they indulged in self-praise and self-patting.

Q29. What lesson or the message does the poet seem to give to the readers?

Ans. The poet gives a definite message. Merely outer appearances and physical strength don’t make a person brave. One should have the strength of mind and self-confidence to be really great. The dragon, Custard had a lot of physical strength and he swallowed the pirate. In spite of that, he was bullied and mocked at for his timidity and cowardly behaviour.

Q30. How did Custard prove that he was not a coward?

Ans. Custard proved that he was not a coward by gobbling up the pirate of whom all were afraid.