The Tale of Custard The Dragon
Introduction
The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a ballad written by Frederic Ogden Nash. It is a
humorous poem about a cowardly dragon named Custard, owned by a little girl
Belinda who also owns many other pets - a black kitten named Ink, a grey mouse
named Blink and a yellow dog named Mustard. The poet has described every
character as brave except Custard, the dragon who is a coward. The whole
situation changes when a pirate attacks Belinda’s house. No one else except the
dragon has the guts to face and kill the pirate. All the characters are initially
happy because they are saved by Custard but they quickly change their thoughts
and claim themselves to be more powerful. They feel that could have acted more
bravely had the situation not been so confusing for all of them.
Central Idea: Everything created whether small or big has its specific importance.
Usually, we underestimate talented persons but they prove themselves by their
wits and right actions. We should never look down upon other. Moreover, right
and timely actions are always beneficial. In other words, a stitch in time saves
nine, is also the nucleus of the poem.
Summary
This poem tells us the tale of custard the dragon is a ballad. It is a humorous
poem about a cowardly dragon named custard. Custard is a pet of Belinda, a little
girl who lives in a little white house with her other pets. She had a black kitten
named ink, a grey mouse named blink, a yellow dog mustard, and a cowardly
dragon custard.
The poet says that all of them are very brave except the dragon. Others are
described as brave. They are compared with animals like bear, tiger or lion. The
dragon is very timid. He always asks for a safe place for himself. All the other
characters make fun of him for his cowardice.
But one night they are shocked by the entry of a pirate in the house. All of them
are afraid and start hiding here and there. But to everyone’s surprise, the dragon
not only tackles the pirate but also eats him up. As all of them are saved by
custard, they thank him. Soon they realized that till now, they are making fun of
the dragon. So, they start saying that they are braver and could have handled the
situation in a much better way. Here the poet has tried to say that sometimes a
timid person is the actual hero in the toughest situations of life.
Meanings:
Wagon: a vehicle used for transporting goods or another specified purpose
Coward: weakling
Spikes: thin pointed surfaces
Scales: Thin bony plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles
Underneath: situated directly below
Dagger: A sharp knife
Chased: hunt, follow
Rage: anger
Unmerciful: cruel, without mercy
Percival: A knight in King Arthur’s court
Giggled: to laugh
Growled: bark
Cutlass: a short sword with a curved blade.
Paled: turn yellow due to fear
Yelp: a short sharp cry
Snorting: make a sudden explosive sound through one’s nose
Grog: a drink
Flagon: a container made of silver in which drink is stored, a flask
Literary Devices:
• Rhyme scheme: aabb (house-mouse, wagon-dragon, ink-blink etc.)
• Repetition: Suddenly, suddenly; Help! Help!
• Anaphora: repeated use of word at the start of two consecutive lines. (And a
little …. And
a realio)
• Simile: as sharp as mustard; mouth like a fireplace; as brave as a barrel full of
bears;
snorting like an engine; clashed his tail like irons in the dungeon; like a robin at a
worm
• Metaphor: chimney for a nose
• Allusion: reference to any person or place (Percival)
• Personification: use of ‘he’ for the dog, the kitten and the mouse
• Alliteration: she called him Custard; barrel full of bears; Custard cried for a nice,
safe
cage; he held in his teeth; beard was black; gulped some grog; in glee did gyrate
• Onomatopoeia: Weeck!; giggled; growled; Meowch; clatter; clank; jangling
• Imagery: mouth like a fireplace; brave as a tiger in a rage; the appearance of the
pirate;
went at the pirate like a robin at a worm etc.
• Transferred epithet: terrified yelp
• Refrain: Repetition of a sentence again and again (And a realio, trulio...)
• Poetic license: realio, trulio for real, true; winda for window; mouseholed
