CBSE Class 10 English The Tale of Custard the Dragon Important Questions Set 03

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. The usage of words like ‘realio trulio’ creates a wonderful poetic effect. Comment.
Answer: The poet Ogden Nash has used the words 'realio trulio' to create wonderful rhymes in the poem and also bring an amazing comic effect to the poem. The word 'realio' means 'really' while 'trulio' means 'truly'. These words add humor to the poem.

Question 2. How do the words 'realio, trulio' contribute to the whimsical and fantastical tone of the poem 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'?
Answer: The words "realio, trulio" in the line "And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes" add a whimsical and playful tone to the poem. The word 'realio' means 'really' while 'trulio' means 'truly'. They add to the overall tone of light-heartedness and fantasy.

Question 3. Describe the pirate who comes through the window.
Answer: The pirate who invaded the house through the window was crippled due to a wooden leg. His beard was black. He had a pistol in each of his hands, and he held a cutlass in his teeth. The appearance of the pirate was so frightful and evil. It looked like he had no good intentions.

Question 4. 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 had the same effect on readers? Justify your response with a reason(s).
Answer: The poem is written in ballad style. A ballad is a poem that is written in the form of a story. If this poem had been written in any other style than a ballad, I suppose it wouldn’t have had much effect on the reader, as it is a really long poem. With the story-telling style and wonderful rhyme and rhythm, it has created an amazing effect on people.

Question 5. ‘Belinda giggled till she shook the house’. What does it imply about Belinda?
Answer: The given phrase implies that Belinda laughed ‘uncontrollably’ while making fun of Custard. Belinda and the other pets used to think of Custard as a cowardly dragon, so they used to mock him for his cowardice.

Question 6. How has the poet depicted the idea of battling anxieties and conquering fear through courage and determination as the theme of the poem?
Answer: Custard initially appears to be a fearsome dragon with sharp teeth and spikes on his back. Despite his physical appearance, he is depicted as a coward who seeks the safety of a cage. However, when faced with a dangerous situation, he stepped forward to protect everyone in the house. Through Custard's transformation from a timid dragon to a courageous protector, the poem emphasises the idea that fear can be overcome through bravery and determination.

Question 7. “Belinda tickled him; she tickled him unmercifully.” Why?
Answer: Belinda tickled Custard unmercifully because Custard, the dragon, was a coward. He always demanded a safe cage. That is why all the animals in the house made fun of him.

Question 8. Read stanza three again and describe how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
Answer: Custard is described as having big, sharp teeth and spikes on top. On the lower part, it has scales, which are meant to protect the skin. His mouth has been compared to a fireplace because it is assumed that dragons can release fire from their mouths. Even his nose is compared to a chimney, which is used to pass out the smoke. His feet are like a sharp knife, i.e., a dagger.

Question 9. How does the poem ‘The Tale of Custard The Dragon’ differ from the traditional ballad ? (CBSE 2023)
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 10. How does Ogden Nash's 'the Tale of Custard the Dragon', challenge the notion that individuals should conform to societal expectations? (CBSE SQP 2023)
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 11. ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a humorous ballad. How does Ogden Nash create humour and entertainment in the poem ? (CBSE 2024)
Answer: Nash uses playful language and whimsical tone throughout the poem. Phrases like "His mouth like a fireplace" and "His toes could cut like a knife" create vivid and amusing images. Additionally, the poem's playful tone is enhanced by the pet names, which include Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard.

Question 12. How does the poet use of vivid imagery, to engage the reader's imagination?
Answer: The poet gives vivid pictures: Custard has big sharp teeth, spikes on top, scales underneath, a mouth like a fireplace and a nose like a chimney. The pirate has a pistol in each hand and a cutlass in his teeth. Custard snorts like an engine and clashes his tail like irons in a dungeon. These images help readers imagine every scene.

Question 13. Conclude the lesson we learn from the poem.
Answer: The poem teaches us that true courage is shown in times of danger, not by boasting. Appearances can be deceptive, and we should not mock others for their fears, because the one who seems weakest may prove to be the bravest.

Question 14. The poem challenges the notion that strength and bravery are solely defined by outward confidence. Justify.
Answer: Belinda and her pets boast of their bravery and mock Custard, who cries for a nice, safe cage. Yet when the pirate comes, they all run and hide, and it is Custard who fights and gobbles up the pirate. This shows that bravery lies in action, not in outward confidence.

Question 15. ‘But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.’ Who is Custard? Why did he cry for a ‘nice safe cage’? (AI 2011)
Answer: Custard was a dragon. Although he appeared to be the fiercest of all Belinda’s pets, Custard cried for a nice safe cage because of his basic nature, which was calm and quiet, almost mistaken to be cowardly.

Question 16. What do all of them do when the pirate comes?
Answer: When they see the pirate, Belinda cries for help, Ink, the cat, hides under the house, the mouse runs to his hole, the dog yelps and runs but the dragon attacks the pirate.

Question 17. How do they celebrate Custard getting rid of the pirate?
Answer: Belinda embraces him, Mustard, the dog licks him. Ink, the cat and Blink, the mouse dance around him in circles in celebration of Custard eating up the pirate.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. ‘Appearances are deceptive’ is an apt summation of the poem, ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon.’ Elucidate.
Answer: Belinda’s pet dragon, though ferocious in looks, was a coward at heart, it seemed. In comparison, the other pets boasted of their bravery, their ability to chase lions and their tiger cries, while the dragon just whimpered for a safe cage to hide in. The appearance of a pirate brought forth the dragon’s true worth, for while the other creatures scuttled off to hide, the dragon measured up to the pirate’s threats by snorting at him, clattering his steely tail, and finally gobbling him up. Once the enemy was conquered, the animals emerged and boasted that they would have been twice as brave. Magnanimously, the dragon agreed that everybody was braver than he, exposing their weaknesses.

Question 2. ‘Appearances are deceptive’ is an apt summation of the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’. It also affirms the essence of the poem ‘For Anne Gregory’. Elucidate.
Answer: Belinda’s pet dragon, though ferocious in looks, seemed to be a coward at heart. In comparison, the other pets boasted of their bravery, their ability to chase lions and their tiger-like rage, while the dragon just wished for a safe cage to hide in. The appearance of a pirate brought forth the dragon’s true worth, while the other creatures ran away like cowards.
The dragon clashed his tail, made a lot of noise and finally gobbled up the pirate. The ‘cowardly’ dragon turned into a hero in a crisis.
The poet of ‘For Anne Gregory’ conveys that we should give importance to inner beauty and not to physical appearance. Anne Gregory has attractive yellow hair but shuns any suitor who falls for her hair rather than herself. She asserts that she can dye her hair brown, black or carrot to ward off such men, and that a genuine lover should love her for herself and not for her hair. The poet declares that human love is fickle and drawn to exterior appearances, whereas it is inner beauty that makes a person worthy and loved.

Question 3. In spite of being so powerful and displaying rare bravery of killing and swallowing the pirate, why does the dragon Custard taunted as being a coward always asking for a nice safe cage?
Answer: 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 pirate within no time. Custard is constantly ridiculed and taunted by the weaker and more cowardly pets of Belinda. The reason was simple. 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.

Question 4. Who are the characters in the poem? List them with their pet names.
Answer: There are six characters described in the poem. (i) There is a girl and her name is Belinda. (ii) There is a black kitten. His pet name is Ink. (iii) There is a little grey mouse. His pet name is Blink. (iv) There is a little yellow dog and his pet name is Mustard. (e) There is a pet dragon. He is called Custard. (f) There is a pirate who is killed and swallowed by the dragon.

Question 6. 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?
Answer: Ballads — stories told in verse. Tales of adventures and heroism — the poet — present — the encounter of Custard and the pirate — typical spirit of a ballad — four-line stanzas — rhyme scheme: aa, bb throughout the poem. Ogden Nash — a subtle message to the readers — the fate of Custard, the dragon — world of deceit, self-confidence, self-dependence — self-respect — essentials — earn your rightful place — your peers — presence of physical strength — not enough — more important point — you must be conscious of your strength — must be fully aware — fact that many others — inferior in strength and power — no right to taunt and ridicule you. 

Question 7. The dragon, Custard, was considered a coward. The humble dragon proved his bravery in adversity. Certain qualities, like bravery and courage, are situational and spontaneous. Express your views with reference to the poem.
Answer: Bravery and courage are situational and spontaneous. Custard, the dragon, does not boast of his bravery as other pets of Belinda do. The other animals boasted of their bravery and made fun of the dragon’s cowardice, but when the real danger came, only one of them could face it. It was only the dragon who dared to face the frightening pirate, who appeared threatening with pistols and a knife. Custard, the dragon, rose to the situation, and showed his real bravery by gobbling up the pirate. Thus, qualities like bravery and courage can be tested when someone is actually put in a dangerous situation.

Question 8. Being impressed by Custard’s actions, 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.
Answer: 12 Street Lane
Canada
15 December, 20XX
Dear friend,
May this letter find you in great health. I hope my experiences can provide some guidance for you in dealing with your brother's fear of flying.
Firstly, it's important to understand that fear is a natural emotion that everyone experiences to some extent. Just as I was once a timid dragon, your brother may simply lack confidence and trust in his own abilities. He needs to feel supported and motivated to step out of his comfort zone. Share stories of my own journey, how I overcame my fears, and the happiness I experienced when I fought the pirate. Lastly, remind him that overcoming fear is a process. It may take time, and setbacks are normal. Encourage him to keep trying, even if he stumbles along the way.
I wish you and your brother all the best on this courageous journey.
Yours lovingly
Custard

Question 9. Blowing one’s own trumpet is a well-known idiom. Disagree with a friend’s opinion in the context of this idiom.
You may begin like this:
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. ______ (continue)
Answer: 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 of blowing one’s own trumpet? You see, if a person has achieved something, then it isn’t required for him/her to tell tales of his/her own success. One’s hard work, success and development will tell about their struggles and achievements on their own. Instead, let's focus on being humble and letting our actions speak for themselves. Let's take the example of Custard. He showed bravery without showing off. He didn't boast about bravery but proved it when facing the pirate.

Question 10. Do you find ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to be a serious or lighthearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a lighthearted and humorous poem. The poem is incredibly simple and pleasurable to read because it has a fixed rhyme scheme. The description of Belinda and her pets makes the poem quite funny. Belinda’s bravery has been compared to a barrel full of bears. All the tiny creatures, such as the kitten and the mouse, have been shown to be so brave that they can scare a lion. The biggest of them all, the dragon, is the only one who has been shown as a cowardly and soft being who cries for a safe cage for himself, which is very ironic, hence making the poem funny.

Question 11. You have been chosen to address a student gathering from the neighbourhood schools, to speak on the power of believing in yourself. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, with reference to the commonality of themes in 'Two Stories about Flying' and 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'.
Answer: Good morning, everyone.
Today, I wish to speak on the power of believing in yourself. In ‘His First Flight’, the young seagull is afraid to fly. Only when hunger pushes him off the ledge does he discover that his wings can carry him. In ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’, Custard is called a coward by everyone, but when the pirate attacks, he finds the courage to fight and saves the house.
Both characters had the strength within them all along; they only needed to trust themselves. Each of us is the same. Fear may hold us back, but once we take the first step, we discover what we can do.
So, believe in yourself and take that leap!
Thank you.

Question 12. A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experiences, challenges, and interactions with other characters. In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of Custard in about 120 words.
Answer: At the beginning of the poem, Custard is presented as a timid dragon. Despite his sharp teeth, spikes and fiery mouth, he is called a ‘cowardly dragon’ who cries for a nice, safe cage. Belinda and the other pets tease him and boast of their own bravery.
The turning point comes when a pirate climbs in through the window. Belinda cries for help, and Ink, Blink and Mustard run away. Custard, however, jumps up, snorting like an engine, and gobbles up the pirate.
After this, Custard is briefly celebrated, but he remains modest and soon goes back to asking for a safe cage. His arc shows a change from apparent cowardice to real heroism, revealing that true courage appears when it is needed.

Question 13. What is a ballad? How can you explain that this poem is written in the form of a ballad?
Answer: A ballad is a literary composition or song narrating a story in brief stanzas. Conventionally ballads are typical of unspecified authorship, having been passed on orally from one generation to the next. The themes consist of voyages, bravery, courtship, etc and evolve highly musical due to its rhyme scheme.
'The Tales Of Custard Dragon' can be considered a ballad because it is a poem that narrates a fantasy in verse about a girl named Belinda, who lives alone in her house with her four pets - a little kitten Ink, a grey coloured mouse Blink, a little yellow-coloured dog Mustard and a dragon Custard. The rhyme scheme of AABB bestows it the desired musical feel which is a key characteristic of a ballad.