CBSE Class 10 English NCERT Solutions: The Tale of Custard the Dragon
This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Poem 21, 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'. It covers a thorough analysis of the poem, including identifying all the characters and their pet names, understanding Custard the dragon's perceived cowardice and his desire for a safe cage, and exploring the reasons behind Belinda's actions. The solutions also delve into the various poetic devices used by the poet, such as similes and repetition, and help students identify vivid imagery within the text. Furthermore, it guides students to determine the poem's tone, whether serious or light-hearted, by examining its narrative and descriptive elements. These solutions are designed to aid students in comprehending the poem's nuances and preparing effectively for their exams.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | English |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | 21. The Tale of Custard the Dragon |
Chapter summary
NCERT Solutions for 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' (Class 10 English) offers a detailed breakdown of the poem. It focuses on character identification, Custard's unique personality, and the use of poetic devices like similes and repetition. Students will learn to analyze imagery and understand the poem's light-hearted tone through its humorous comparisons and narrative style. This resource helps in grasping the poem's essence and preparing for comprehension and analytical questions.
Learning outcomes
- Identify and list all characters and their pet names in the poem.
- Explain Custard the dragon's fear and the reasons for him being called 'cowardly'.
- Analyze the use of poetic devices such as similes and repetition in the poem.
- Interpret the imagery used to describe characters and their actions.
- Determine the overall tone of the poem and support it with evidence.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Character identification
- Poem analysis
- Custard the dragon's personality
- Belinda's pets
- Poetic devices
- Simile
- Repetition
- Imagery
- Rhyme scheme
- Poem's tone
- Light-hearted poetry
- Fear vs. Bravery
Important topics
- Character analysis of Custard
- Identification of poetic devices (similes)
- Understanding the poem's light-hearted tone
- Analysis of imagery
- Rhyme scheme and its effect
PDF preview
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Questions and Solutions
The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Thinking about the poem (132)
Question 1.
Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Answer:
The characters in this poem are Belinda, a little girl, and her pets: a little black kitten, a little grey mouse, a little yellow dog, a little pet dragon and a pirate.
Characters Pet name Kitten Ink Mouse Blink Dog Mustard Dragon Custard
Question 2.
Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called "cowardly dragon"?
Answer:
Custard cried for a nice safe cage because it was a coward and was scared very easily. It is called "cowardly dragon" because everyone else in the house is very brave while the dragon is the only one, who fears a lot and looks for a nice safe cage for himself. Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears, Ink and Blink can chase lions and Mustard is as brave as an angry tiger.
Question 3.
"Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful..." Why?
Answer:
Tickling always works on people, who are a little softer. So, Belinda tickled the dragon unmerciful as it worked a lot on him. Despite being a dragon, a tickling could disturb him and this showed his cowardice on which everyone laughed.
Question 4.
The poet has employed many poetic devices in the poem. For example "Clashed his tail like 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?
Answer:
In the poem, 'The tale of Custard, the Dragon', the poet has used a lot of poetic devices. Following are the devices used
- Simile: mouth like a fireplace
- Repetition: the repetitive use of the word 'little' in stanza 1.
Question 5.
Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Question 6.
Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Answer:
The rhyme scheme of the poem is 'aabb'.
Question 7.
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?
Answer:
Writers always use such phrases and words that do not tell us directly about what they mean but always gives us an indication of the meaning. Such words or phrases are used to trigger our own imagination in painting the picture that they mean. Use of such images in the poem is the following: 'mouth like a fireplace', 'chimney for a nose', 'brave as a barrel full of bears', 'brave as a tiger in a rage', 'went at the pirate like a robin at a worm', etc.
Question 8.
Do you find 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer:
'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' is a very light and funny poem meant to be enjoyed by everyone. The way the poem has been written with a fix rhyme scheme, makes it very easy and enjoyable to read. The poet has even used wrong spelling to maintain the rhyme scheme. The features of Belinda and her pets described in the poem make it quite funny. Belinda's bravery has been compared to a barrel full of bears, a liquid substance. All the tiny creatures such as the kitten and the mouse have been shown so brave that they can scare a lion and the dog's bravery is like a tiger's rage. The biggest of them all, the dragon is the only one, who has been shown as a coward and soft
Common mistakes
- Confusing the bravery of other pets with Custard's perceived cowardice.
- Overlooking the humorous and light-hearted nature of the poem.
- Failing to identify specific examples of poetic devices mentioned in the text.
Revision tips
- Read the poem aloud to appreciate its rhythm and rhyme scheme.
- Create a table listing each character, their description, and their bravery level.
- Focus on identifying similes and other figures of speech used in the poem.
- Discuss the poem's ending and Custard's role in it with classmates.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT a pet of Belinda mentioned in the poem?
Explanation: The poem mentions Belinda's pets as a kitten, mouse, dog, and dragon. A parrot is not listed among her pets.
Q2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage?
Explanation: Custard is depicted as a coward who cries for a safe cage because he is easily frightened by potential dangers, unlike the other brave pets.
Q3. The phrase 'mouth like a fireplace' is an example of which poetic device?
Explanation: The use of 'like' to compare Custard's mouth to a fireplace clearly indicates it is a simile.
Q4. How is the bravery of Ink and Blink described in the poem?
Explanation: The poem states that Ink (the kitten) and Blink (the mouse) were brave enough to chase lions, highlighting their exaggerated courage.
Q5. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'?
Explanation: The poem follows a consistent 'aabb' rhyme scheme in most of its stanzas, contributing to its lyrical and light-hearted feel.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the main characters in 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'?
The main characters are Belinda, a little girl, and her pets: a kitten named Ink, a mouse named Blink, a dog named Mustard, and a dragon named Custard. A pirate also appears later in the poem.
Why is Custard called a 'cowardly dragon'?
Custard is called cowardly because he is easily frightened and cries for a safe cage, unlike the other pets who are described as very brave.
What poetic devices are used in the poem?
The poem uses several poetic devices, including similes (e.g., 'mouth like a fireplace', 'clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon') and repetition (e.g., the word 'little').
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The rhyme scheme of 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' is predominantly 'aabb', which gives it a song-like quality.
Is 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' a serious poem?
No, the poem is generally considered light-hearted and humorous due to its exaggerated descriptions of bravery and cowardice, its simple rhyme scheme, and its playful narrative.
How do these NCERT solutions help Class 10 students?
These solutions provide clear explanations for each question, helping students understand the poem's characters, themes, poetic devices, and overall message, which is crucial for exam preparation.
Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy
NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.