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

The Tale of Custard the Dragon

By– Ogden Nash

Important Long/ Detailed Answer Type Questions- to be answered in about 100 -150 words each

1. Why do you think Custard, the dragon, was called a coward? How was Custard able to save all his house-mates from the pirate? What values should Belinda have possessed so that Custard too could have been among her favourites?

Ans. The dragon appeared to be a coward as he always cried for a safe cage so he was called a cowardly dragon. Later, when the pirate entered the house with pistols in his left and right hand, everyone was scared and ran away and disappeared, except Custard who faced him boldly-attacked him, hit him hard with his forceful tail and gobbled every bit of him. Belinda should have been nice to him. She should have made him feel comfortable and safe in the house instead of laughing and making fun of him with other pets. Belinda should have been protective towards him.

2. Describe the fight between the dragon and the pirate.

Ans. The dragon had big sharp teeth, and spikes on top of him and scales underneath but everyone laughed at him as he always cried for a safe cage whereas everyone boasted about their bravery. But when the pirate entered, all were scared and ran away and disappeared except Custard who faced him boldly, attacked him, hit him hard with his forceful tail and gobbled every bit of him. All of them later felt obliged to Custard for saving their lives.

3. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why the dragon is called ‘cowardly dragon’? How did he prove everyone wrong?

Ans. The Custard every time cried for a nice safe cage because he thought that the little white house in which he lived with Belinda and her other friends was not safe.

The dragon appeared to be a coward as he always cried for a safe cage so he was called a dragon. Later when the pirate entered the house everyone was scared and ran and disappeared, except Custard who faced him boldly, attacked him, hit him hard 1118 forceful tail and gobbled every bit of him.

Q4. In spite of being so powerful and displaying rare bravery of killing and swallowing the pirate, why does the dragon Custard taunt as being a coward always asking for a nice safe cage?

Ans. No doubt, Custard has a lot of physical strength. Even his exterior was quite formidable. He had big sharp teeth. There were spikes on his top. There were scales underneath. His mouth was like a fireplace always spitting fire. He proved his strength and bravery when he encountered the terrible pirate. The pirate had two pistols and a dagger but failed to hurt or overpower Custard. The dragon fought valiantly and swallowed the dragon within no time. Custard is constantly ridiculed and taunted by the weaker and more cowardly pets of Belinda. The reason was simple. The custard had no self-respect. Nor was he aware of his great strength. He had a very low opinion of himself. He always asked for a nice safe cage for his protection. This was the reason that he was always taunted and ridiculed as a coward.

Q5. Evaluate Ogden Nash’s ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ as a ballad. What message does the poet give to the readers in this poem?

Ans. Ballads are stories told in verse. Generally, ballads are tales of adventures and heroism. In the poem, the poet does present the encounter of Custard and the pirate in the typical spirit of a ballad. The four-line stanzas have the rhyme scheme: aa, bb throughout the poem.

Ogden Nash gives a subtle message to the readers through the fate of Custard, the dragon. In this world of deceit, self-confidence, self-dependence and self-respect are essentials to earn your rightful place among your peers. The mere presence of physical strength is not enough. The more important point is that you must be conscious of your strength. You must be fully aware of the fact that many others who are far inferior in strength and power should have no right to taunt and ridicule you.