CBSE Class 10 English The Tale of Custard the Dragon Assignment Set 02

Short Answer Type Questions
 

Question. ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a humorous ballad. How does Ogden Nash create humour and entertainment in the poem ?
Answer: The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a humorous ballad. Humour and light-heartedness are pervasive themes in the poem, Ogden Nash uses playful language, clever wordplay, and exaggerated descriptions to create a whimsical and amusing tone. This theme contributes to the poem’s overall joyous and entertaining nature.

Question. Belinda and other animals have been described as brave. But on seeing the pirate they behaved in a cowardly way. How did they react ?
Answer: On seeing the pirate, Belinda became pale with fear and cried for help. Meanwhile, Mustard the dog ran away fast, uttering a short, sharp cry. On the other hand, Ink went slowly, down to the bottom of the house and Blink hid himself in his mousehole.

Question. Ogden Nash uses vivid imagery in ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to appeal to the senses. Elaborate the imagery used for the Pirate.
Answer: The poet has used vivid imagery in describing the pirate. He looked scary with a cutlass bright in his teeth, which means he was holding a glass in his teeth. Also, he had a wooden peg for a leg which means that his leg was artificial. The poet has described the pirate in a scary manner.

Question. What makes Custard, the dragon look fearsome? Explain.
Answer: Custard, the dragon, looks fearsome due to his large size, sharp claws, and fiery breath. His intimidating appearance, coupled with his reputation for causing mischief and chaos, instills fear in the townspeople. However, beneath his fearsome exterior lies a timid and gentle nature.

Question. How does the poem ‘The Tale of Custard The Dragon’ differ from the traditional ballad ?
Answer: The poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is not a traditional ballad as a ballad narrates the tale of courage and heroism and are usually not humorous. However, this poem is different as it is a humorous ballad that ends with a parody.

Question. How does Ogden Nash’s ‘the Tale of Custard the Dragon’, challenge the notion that individuals should conform to societal expectations?
Answer: In Ogden Nash’s ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’, the characters of small animals Ink, Blink and Mustard were seemed as shy to accept fear due to societal judgement while Custard the dragon never thought about it and always asked for a safe cage to accept his cowardice. Ironically, in the end of the poem, Custard was the one who fought bravely while the other fled away. This challenges the notion that individuals should conform to societal expectations.

Question. Custard humbly accepts that other animals are braver than him. Give a reason to support your stance that humility is a virtue worth possessing.
Answer: Humility is a great virtue as it shows real maturity, confidence and strength. Custard knew of his capabilities and showed it through his action rather than speaking in front of others. He was a humble dragon.

Question. The usage of words like ‘realio trulio’ creates a wonderful poetic effect. How?
Answer: This poem is a Ballad. The poet has changed the spellings of the words ‘real’ and ‘true’ to realio and trulio. It has created a musical effect on the poem. These words would not have added the same effect with their correct spelling.

Question. Why is it fair to say that Custard could be the ‘poster boy’ for the belief that the real nature of a person is revealed at times of the greatest difficulty?
Answer: Belinda and her pets used to make fun of Custard and call her a coward. But Custard displayed his courage and strength in times of real danger by fighting with the pirate. This incident proved him a superhero who was capable of becoming a poster boy.

Question. State the reason you think the poet named the animals- Ink, Blink, Mustard and Custard?
Answer: It seems the poet had named the kitten- Ink, because she was black in colour, mustard is a yellow plant and the dog was also yellow in colour. I believe she changed the name slightly and called him Custard to rhyme with Mustard.

Question. The poet could have included a burglar or an intruder in the poem but chose to include a pirate. Explain this choice.
Answer: A normal burglar or intruder could not portray the frightening appearance correctly. The pirate can easily be visualised as a man carrying pistols and cutlass. The attributes of a black beard and wooden leg adds to the terror.

Question. Belinda shares a post on Instagram with the following hashtags #Ink#Blink#Mustard#Bravehearts#My family#My world# She doesn’t mention Custard in her post. As a friend of Belinda, what would be your advice to her and why?
Answer: I would advise her not to underestimate someone due to his modesty and introverted nature. Bravery is not about beating your own trumpet in front of others. A real Braveheart faces the problem and takes quick action. At the end of the poem, it was proved that custard was a real hero who fought with the pirate while other pets hid here and there.

Question. The poem is a light-hearted ballad with a powerful message. If the poem was written in any other style, do you think it would have created the same effect on readers? Justify your response with reason(s).
Answer: Obviously, the Ballad style has added a musical effect to the poem. But, I think it could have conveyed its message had it been written in any other style. Besides the style, the rhyming scheme, literary devices and words selected also make an effect on the readers. Moreover, it’s not a pure ballad, the humorous elements make it a ‘Parody’. It can also be called a ‘Fable’ as it gives a moral lesson with the help of speaking animals.
 

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Being impressed by Custard’s feat, the young seagull’s sister wrote a letter to Custard seeking advice on addressing the situation with her young brother. Write Custard’s response to this letter. Base the advice from his experiences. You may begin like this: Dear Ms Seagull, Thank you for seeking me out. I am humbled. Based on my limited experiences I feel...
Answer: Dear Ms Seagull,
Thank you for seeking me out. I am humbled. Based on my limited experiences I feel if we run away from the difficult situation it becomes monstrous. A courageous person is always ready to face the inverse conditions without boasting of his bravery. Cowards run away when the real problem comes up and give baseless explanations for their fleet.
The case with your brother is somewhat different. He is not a coward but he is unable to muster up the courage for his first flight. He is worried about the consequences of falling down. Try to explain to him that birds are born with innate flying skills and he should not worry about falling down. If he focuses on his aim, success will automatically follow.

Question. Custard though mocked for his cowardice, displayed courage and was the one who saved the day in the end. Pick a character from any of the units (lessons/poems) in First Flight, who displayed similar characteristics, like Custard and overcame a troubling issue? What similarities and differences do you find between the character and Custard?
Answer: Similarities and Differences between Custard and the Seagull
I think the young Seagull from the lesson ‘His first flight’ resembles Custard dragon. Though he is different from custard on some criteria. Let’s discuss it one by one. Custard, the dragon, was very humble to talk about his strengths but he was not afraid to face any problem. Whereas the seagull was worried and unable to take his first flight. The dragon did not involve in any celebrations after defeating the pirate. Rather he calmly accepted that other pets are braver than him. In contrast, the seagull celebrated his first flight with screams and dancing. His family members joined him in his victory over his fear.
They both displayed their true courage when the situation fell on them. They were underestimated by their families. They proved that real courage is in facing danger.

Question. Imagine that Custard writes a blog on ‘Overcoming fears’. A part of the blog focuses on ways to overcome the fears within. As Custard, write this part of the blog. You may proceed like this: While we agree that fear is like a big monster that resides within us. This monster shall continue to overpower us if we do not overpower it……
Answer: While we agree that fear is like a big monster that resides within us. This monster will continue to overpower us if we don’t overpower it. I shall discuss with you some easy ways to overcome the fear
1. first of all keep a positive approach towards life.
2. don’t think about the problem too much.
3. courage has to be activated from within yourself.
4. be prepared to face the consequences of fighting with the problem.
5. don’t accept failure without trying.
6. don’t think about the consequences of failing; failure opens the door for success.

Question. Blowing one’s trumpet is a well-known idiom. Disagree with a friend’s opinion in the context of this idiom. Friend: It’s important to recount your achievements whenever there’s an opportunity. People need to know about your qualities, accomplishments and awards. Always project yourself as superior. You: Gosh! I disagree. What’s the point blowing one’s own trumpet? You see, ……………………… (continue).
Answer: Dialogue writing over the idiom- “Blowing one’s trumpet”
Friend: It’s important to recount your achievements whenever there is an opportunity. People need to know about your qualities, accomplishments and awards. Always project yourself as superior.
You: Gosh, I disagree. What is the point of blowing one’s own trumpet, you see.
Friend: If you do not speak about your work or qualities how would others know about it.
You: I feel actions speak louder than words. The quality of work done by a person tells everything on its own.
Friend: But it takes a lot of time to get noticed by people.
You: When you don’t boast of yourself, people trust you and get attracted to you like a magnet. Humbleness is a virtue worth possessing.
Friend: I believe it has lost its value in today’s time.
You: Everything depends on one’s perception and personal nature.
 

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
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.

Question. Comment upon the contrast that is reflected in the last two lines of the extract.
Answer: The contrast in the last two lines reflects the disparity between the purported bravery of Mustard, likened to a tiger in a rage, and the reality of Custard’s fear, expressing a wish for the safety of a cage. Despite Mustard’s aggressive comparison, it’s Custard’s honest expression of fear that stands out.

Question. Fill in the blank with one word.
While describing Ink and Blink, the speaker says that they could chase lions down the stairs. By saying so, he is revealing the _____ characteristic of their personality.
Answer: imaginary

Question. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines in about 40 words.
Answer: The poet’s use of language is playful and uses hyperbole to humorously contrast the bravado of the characters with Custard’s openly admitted fear. The vivid and exaggerated comparisons enhance the comedic tone of the poem.

Question. Which of the following best describes the theme of the poem ?
(a) Bravery and heroism
(b) Humility leads to bravery
(c) Valour and diligence
(d) Crisis reveals character
Answer: (d) Crisis reveals character

2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follows
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.

Question. What is the poet’s purpose of using the onomatopoeic words given in the extract?
(a) It is to emphasise on the might and boldness of Custard.
(b) It is to introduce the character Custard to the readers.
(c) It is to impress upon the readers that Custard was ready.
(d) It is to make Custard bold enough to face the situation.
Answer: (a) It is to emphasise on the might and boldness of Custard.

Question. Mention what the poet wants to convey through these lines. Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: The given lines show that the animal, that was considered by all to be a coward, was actually braver than them. While the rest of Belinda’s pets cower in fear at the sight of the pirate, it is Custard the cowardly dragon that attacks him and saves everyone. This shows that the poet wants to convey that whether someone is truly brave or not can only be discovered in the face of real danger.

Question. What does Custard do to the pirate?
Answer: Custard jumped in front of the pirate to fight with him. He then swallowed the pirate whole.

Question. Fill the blank with one word.
Custard’s comparison to an engine shows a literary device of _____.
Answer: simile

3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follows
“Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouse-holed.
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.”

Question. What is the poet’s purpose of using onomatopoeic words in the extract ?
Answer: The poet’s purpose of using such words is to emphasise on the might and boldness of Custard.

Question. What does the poet want to convey through these lines? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: The poet wants to convey that the animal, which was considered by all to be a coward, was actually braver than them. While the rest of Belinda’s pets cower in fear at the sight of the pirate, it is Custard the cowardly dragon that attacks him and saves everyone. This shows that the poet wants to convey that whether someone is truly brave or not can only be discovered in the face of real danger.

Question. Select the appropriate option that supports the idea in the extract.
(a) You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.
(b) Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is strong.
(c) Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.
(d) Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.
Answer: (d) Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.

Question. The extract mentions ‘irons’ in dungeons
According to the extract, ‘irons’ refers to _____.
Answer: iron chains holding the prisoners captive

4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follows :
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.

Question. Fill in the blanks.
The figure of speech other than alliteration in ‘Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate’ is _____ because of _____.
Answer: assonance; the repetition of the vowel sound ‘i’.

Question. What is the reason for this sudden show of affection? Which words indicate this change in behaviour and mood in the extract?
Answer: Custard, the cowardly dragon gobbling up the pirate who was threatening Belinda and her pets the reason for this sudden show of affection. The words that indicate this change in the mood and behaviour in the extract are ‘embraced’, ‘licked’ and ‘gyrate’.

Question. Which of the following best describes the way the dragon drove fear into the heart of the pirate?
(a) He whistled like an engine.
(b) He snorted like an engine.
(c) He cluttered, clinked, and jingled.
(d) He clashed and crushed the pirate.
Answer: (b) He snorted like an engine.

Question. Comment on the poet’s use of repetition of sounds in these lines.
Answer: The poet uses consonance and assonance for rhythm and rhyme by repeating the sounds ‘d’, ‘t’, ‘i’, and ‘r’ in lines 1 to 4 respectively. The alliterative sound ‘g’ in ‘glee did gyrate’ adds to the rhythm. The poet sticks to the regular rhyme scheme aabb in the extract for rhyming purposes.