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Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
Where did Belinda live?
How many pets did she have?
What poetic device is used in the second line?
Belinda lived in a little white house.
She had four pets: a black kitten, a grey mouse, a yellow dog and a pet dragon.
The poetic device used in the second line is indeed anaphora, with the repetition of the phrase "a little" at the beginning of each clause.
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Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
What is the colour of Belinda's dog?
What were the kitten and the mouse called?
Which word is the stanza means "fear easily"?
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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.
Why did Custard jump?
What sounds did Custard's body make?
What does dungeon mean?
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The dragon, Custard, was considered a coward. The humble dragon proved his bravery in adversity. Analyse those certain qualities like bravery and courage that are situational and spontaneous. Express your views with reference to the poem ‘The tale of custard dragon’.
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Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
"The Tale of Custard the Dragon" by Ogden Nash features several characters, each with their own unique names and traits. Here are the main characters, along with their names as referred to in the poem:
Belinda: The main character and owner of the other characters who live in her house. She is portrayed as brave and loving towards her pets.
Custard: A "realio, trulio, little pet dragon," Custard is portrayed as timid and cowardly at the beginning of the poem, although he turns out to be very brave when the pirate attacks.
Ink: The "little black kitten." Ink, along with Blink and Mustard, teases Custard for his initial cowardice. However, when the pirate arrives, Ink runs away in fear.
Blink: The "little grey mouse," Blink, similar to Ink and Mustard, mocks Custard but runs away when the pirate attacks.
Mustard: The "little yellow dog." Mustard is depicted as brave at the beginning, but like Ink and Blink, he runs away when the pirate arrives.
The Pirate: A villainous character who intrudes into Belinda's house. Despite appearing scary, he is defeated by Custard.
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Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage?
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"Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful..." Why?
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The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example, "Clashed his taillike iron in a dungeon" - the poetic device here is a simile. Can you, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?
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Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
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Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
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Writers use words to give us a picture or image without actually saying what they mean. Can you trace some images used in the poem?
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Do you find 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' to be a serious or light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
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This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
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Ogden Nash (1902-1971) was a renowned American poet known for his humorous and light verse. Nash’s distinctive work often employed unconventional rhymes, playful jargon , and a satirical or narrative style, which made him one of the most widely appreciated and imitated writers of light verse. Born in Rye, New York, Nash initially worked in advertising before his first book, "Hard Lines," was published in 1931.
Nash's poetry is characterized by an unmistakable wit and a love for wordplay , often exploiting the flexibility of language to create unexpected rhymes or twists in meaning. Many of his poems are short and quite humorous, yet they also offer insightful social commentary. His deft comic touch and engaging accessibility have remained enduringly popular, and many of his lines have become famous quotations .
The poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a great example of Nash's accessible, humorous style and his ability to blend storytelling wit h verse, delighting both children and adults alike. Even though Nash passed away in 1971, his work remains popular and continues to entertain people of all ages.
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1. Courage and Bravery:
"The Tale of Custard the Dragon" profoundly explores the themes of courage and bravery. Although Custard is initially depicted as a coward, he rises to the occasion when danger presents itself, thus showing that true bravery is not about lacking fear...
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"The Tale of Custard the Dragon" uses several symbolic elements to convey its themes and narrative:
Custard the Dragon: Custard himself is a symbol of hidden bravery and the disparity between appearance and reality. Despite his frightening ...
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Rhyme: The poem uses an AABB rhyme scheme , contributing to the rhythmic , sing-song quality.
Rhythm: A consistent meter is present throughout the poem, which adds to its musicality and makes it enjoyable to read, especially....
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Daggers - (noun) A sharp, pointed weapon or knife with a double-edged blade.
The assassin concealed a pair of deadly daggers in his cloak.
Percival - (noun) A masculine given name of Celtic origin.
Percival was known for his chivalrous behavior and unwavering sense of honor.
Unmerciful - (adjective) Showing no mercy or compassion; relentless.
The dictator ruled his country with an Unmerciful iron fist, suppressing any form of dissent.
Giggling - (noun) The act of laughing in a light, silly manner.
The group of friends ............................
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