Class 10 English - BIHAR
Poetry: The Tale of Custard the Dragon
The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash is a humorous balladic poem prescribed for Class 10 Bihar Board (BSEB) students. It tells the story of Belinda and her brave pets—Ink, Blink, and Mustard—who all boast of their immense courage, while mocking Custard the dragon for being a coward. However, when a pirate suddenly attacks the house, the self-proclaimed heroes flee in fear, and only cowardly Custard bravely faces and defeats the pirate. This chapter is very important for board exams as it teaches the valuable moral that outward appearances and boasting do not define true bravery in times of real crisis.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ballad Structure
A ballad is a poem that tells a story, often written in four-line stanzas with a regular rhyme scheme (AABB).
Poetic Irony
The poem uses irony by showing that the tiny animals who claimed to be ferocious cowed down, while the dragon labeled a coward turned out to be fearless.
Character Contrasts
Belinda and her pets (Ink, Blink, Mustard) represent false pride and arrogance, whereas Custard symbolizes quiet strength and true heroism.
Real vs. False Courage
The poem highlights that loud talkers often hide when danger arrives, while quiet and modest individuals step up when it matters most.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 10 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions about character traits, reference-to-context questions from stanzas, and long answer questions based on the central theme of true bravery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did everyone make fun of Custard the dragon?
Everyone made fun of Custard because he always cried for a safe cage and was considered a coward compared to the other boastful pets.
How did the pets react when the pirate attacked?
When the pirate attacked, Ink hid in the basement, Belinda cried for help, Mustard ran away cleverly, and little mouse Blink scampered into his hole.
What is the central message of The Tale of Custard the Dragon?
The central message is that true courage is shown through actions during real danger, not through big words and empty boasts.
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