Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Analyses the first
part
Analyses the second
part
Important Concepts +
Questions & Answers
Frederic Ogden Nash (1902-1971) was an American poet
was an American poet famous for his light verse. He was
known as the producer of humorous poetry. He received
Sarah Josepha Hale Award in 1964.
Introduction to the poem
“The Tale of Custard the Dragon” is said to be
Ogden Nash’s most famous poem for children. It
was published in 1936 as part of his collection of
poetry entitled The Bad Parents’ Garden of Verse. A
few years later, a picture book of the poem was
published with illustrations by the famous Lynn N.
Munsinger.The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a
14-stanza ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to
music. Ballads derive from the medieval French
chanson balladée or ballade, which were originally
"dance songs". Ballads were particularly
characteristic of the popular poetry and song of
Britain and Ireland from the later medieval period
until the 19th century. They were widely used
across Europe, and later in Australia, North Africa,
North America and South America. Other famous
ballads include ‘The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner’,
‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’ etc.
Stanza 1
The poet says that once there was a little
girl named Belinda.
She lived in a little white house.
She lived with some creatures who were her
pets.
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Competitive Exams?
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They were a black kitten, a grey mouse, a
yellow dog, a little red wagon and a
creature that the poet says was really and
truly a dragon.
Stanza 2
Ink
Blink.
Mustard
Custard.
Q. What were the names of Belinda’s pets?
Stanza 3
The poet describes the dragon that it had
big sharp teeth and spikes on top.
This means that its skin was pointed on the
top.
On the lower part it had scales which were
bony plates to protect the skin.
His mouth has been compared to a fireplace
because it is assumed that dragons can
release fire from the mouth.
Even his nose is compared to a chimney
which is used to pass out smoke. His feet
are like a sharp knife i.e. a dagger.
Q. What did Custard look like?
Stanza 4
So, now the poet explains the inner strength
or the bravery of various characters of the
poem.
He says that Belinda was as brave as a
group of bears and ink and blink were so
brave that they could hunt lions.
The dog was very brave just like an angry
tiger.
But to contrast of all of them was Custard.
Custard, the dragon was not brave he was so
afraid of everything that he always
demanded a safe cage.
Stanza 5
Belinda used to stroke the dragon in a very
cruel way.
Ink, blink and mustard made fun of him by
comparing him to a knight named Percival
Percival
Percival was the name of an illiterate person who
desired to become a knight of King Arthur. He was
neither attractive or eligible for the post. Hence all
the people teased and scolded him. In the poem,
Custard is called Percival, because all the animals
thought that he is coward and thus not a true
dragon.
They used to tease the dragon while sitting
in their little red wagon.
Stanza 6
Belinda used to laugh so loudly that her
voice echoed in the house.
Blink, the mouse used to laugh and make a
sound of weeck.
On the other hand, ink and mustard would
tease him by asking the dragon his age
whenever he used to demand for a nice safe
cage.
Vocabulary
Mustard: a yellow coloured flower
Coward: weakling
Spikes: thin pointed surface
Scales: Thin bony plates protecting the skin of fish
and reptiles.
Underneath: situated directly below
Fire place: An outdoor structure of brick, stone or
metal for an open fire
Dagger: A sharp knife
Barrel: drum
Chased: hunt, follow
Rage: anger
Tickled: stroke, here it means to tease
Unmerciful: cruel
Percival: A knight in King Arthur’s court
Giggled: to laugh
Weeck: Here it is the sound made by the mouse
Homework Question
Q.Do you find “ The Tale of Custard the
Dragon” a serious or funny poem? Give
reasons for your answer.
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