This page helps you revise quickly with the tale of custard the dragon class 10 summary explained in simple language, along with NCERT solutions and exam-focused answers. You will find clear question answers, extra questions for practice, and short notes to understand the poem better. Important parts like the tale of custard the dragon theme, central idea, and poetic devices are also covered. Word meanings and character details of Belinda and Custard the dragon are included to improve understanding. This guide is useful for board exams, school tests, and last-minute revision of the Custard the dragon poem by Ogden Nash.

the tale of custard the dragon summary

English summary

 Have you ever been laughed at for being scared, only to surprise everyone when it truly matters? What if the one called a coward turns out to be the bravest of all when danger arrives? This is the funny and thrilling story of a dragon who proves that courage can appear at the most unexpected moment.

The chapter tells the story of a little family that believes it is very brave, except for one frightened dragon. When a real danger suddenly enters their safe home, the so-called brave ones run away, and the frightened dragon steps forward and saves everyone.

Belinda lived in a little white house with her small group of pets. There was Ink, a little black kitten, Blink, a little grey mouse, Mustard, a little yellow dog, and a “realio, trulio” little pet dragon named Custard. Belinda named each of them lovingly, but she also labelled Custard a coward. Custard looked terrifying. He had “big sharp teeth,” spikes on his back, scales underneath, and “daggers on his toes.” His mouth looked like a fireplace and his nose like a chimney. Yes, he looked dangerous, but inside he was scared and always cried for “a nice safe cage.”

Belinda and her pets believed they were very brave. Belinda was “as brave as a barrel full of bears.” Ink and Blink were said to chase lions down the stairs. Mustard was “as brave as a tiger in a rage.” They laughed at Custard and teased him again and again. Belinda tickled him without mercy. Ink, Blink, and Mustard rudely called him Percival. They all laughed loudly in the little red wagon while Custard begged for safety. Whenever they mocked him, he cried for a cage, and they found this very funny.

Suddenly, the mood changed. They heard a nasty sound. Mustard growled. Everyone looked around. Ink cried “Meowch!” and Belinda shouted “ooh!” because a pirate was climbing in through the window. He held a pistol in each hand and a shining cutlass in his teeth. His beard was black, one leg was wooden, and it was clear he meant no good. Belinda turned pale and cried, “Help! Help!” But the brave ones failed her. Mustard ran away with a terrified yelp. Ink slipped down to the bottom of the house. Blink quickly hid in a mouse hole.

Then the unexpected happened. Custard jumped up. He snorted “like an engine” and clashed his tail “like irons in a dungeon.” With loud clatter and clank, he rushed at the pirate “like a robin at a worm.” The pirate stared in shock. He gulped down some grog and fired two bullets, but they missed. In one fierce moment, Custard gobbled him up, “every bit.”

After the danger passed, Belinda hugged Custard. Mustard licked him. Ink and Blink danced happily around the dragon. No one felt sad for the pirate. But soon, something strange happened again. Mustard said he would have been twice as brave if he had not been confused. Ink and Blink said they would have been three times as brave. Custard quietly agreed and said everyone else was braver than him. Life returned to normal. Belinda still lived in her little white house with all her pets. Everyone was still called brave. Custard still cried for a nice safe cage.

Belinda – confident and playful – owner of the pets

Custard – fearful but powerful – the dragon who saves everyone

Ink – boastful – the black kitten

Blink – clever and quick – the grey mouse

Mustard – loud and proud – the yellow dog

Pirate – cruel and threatening – the danger in the story

The story shows you that true courage is not about boasting or showing off. You learn that bravery is proved by actions during real danger, not by words or appearances.

the tale of custard the dragon Hindi summary

क्या तुम्हारे साथ कभी ऐसा हुआ है कि लोग तुम्हें डरपोक समझें, लेकिन सही समय आने पर तुम सबको चौंका दो? अगर जिसे सब कायर कहते हों, वही असली खतरे में सबसे बहादुर निकल जाए तो? यह एक मज़ेदार और रोमांचक कहानी है, एक ऐसे ड्रैगन की, जो यह साबित करता है कि साहस कभी-कभी सबसे अनपेक्षित जगह से सामने आता है।

यह अध्याय एक छोटे से परिवार की कहानी बताता है, जिसे लगता है कि वे सब बहुत बहादुर हैं, बस एक डरा-डरा सा ड्रैगन छोड़कर। लेकिन जब अचानक उनके सुरक्षित घर में असली खतरा घुस आता है, तो जो खुद को बहादुर कहते थे, वे सब भाग जाते हैं, और वही डरा हुआ ड्रैगन आगे बढ़कर सबकी जान बचाता है।

बेलिंडा एक छोटे से सफ़ेद घर में रहती थी। उसके साथ उसके पालतू थे—एक छोटा काला बिल्ली का बच्चा इंक, एक छोटा धूसर चूहा ब्लिंक, एक छोटा पीला कुत्ता मस्टर्ड, और एक “रियलियो, ट्रुलियो” छोटा पालतू ड्रैगन, जिसका नाम कस्टर्ड था। बेलिंडा ने सबको प्यार से नाम दिए थे, लेकिन कस्टर्ड को वह कायर कहती थी। कस्टर्ड दिखने में बहुत डरावना था। उसके बड़े-बड़े नुकीले दाँत थे। उसकी पीठ पर काँटे थे और नीचे मज़बूत परतें। उसका मुँह अंगीठी जैसा था और नाक चिमनी जैसी। उसके पैरों के पंजे खंजर जैसे थे। वह सच में ख़तरनाक लगता था, लेकिन दिल से वह बहुत डरपोक था। वह हर समय “एक अच्छा सा सुरक्षित पिंजरा” माँगता रहता था।

बेलिंडा और उसके पालतू खुद को बहुत बहादुर मानते थे। बेलिंडा “भालुओं से भरे पीपे जितनी बहादुर” थी। इंक और ब्लिंक के बारे में कहा जाता था कि वे सीढ़ियों से शेरों को भी भगा देते हैं। मस्टर्ड “गुस्से में भरे बाघ जितना बहादुर” था। वे सब मिलकर कस्टर्ड का मज़ाक उड़ाते थे। बेलिंडा उसे बिना दया के गुदगुदाती थी। इंक, ब्लिंक और मस्टर्ड उसे बदतमीज़ी से पर्सिवल कहकर बुलाते थे। वे सब छोटे से लाल वैगन में बैठकर ज़ोर-ज़ोर से हँसते थे, और कस्टर्ड डर के मारे पिंजरे की माँग करता रहता था। जब भी वे उसका मज़ाक उड़ाते, वह और ज़्यादा डर जाता, और यह बात उन्हें बहुत हँसाती थी।

अचानक माहौल बदल गया। एक भयानक-सी आवाज़ आई। मस्टर्ड गुर्राया। सबने इधर-उधर देखा। इंक चिल्लाया, “म्याऊँच!” और बेलिंडा बोली, “ओह!” क्योंकि एक समुद्री डाकू खिड़की से अंदर चढ़ रहा था। उसके बाएँ हाथ में पिस्तौल थी और दाएँ हाथ में भी पिस्तौल। उसके दाँतों में एक चमकती हुई तलवार थी। उसकी दाढ़ी काली थी और एक टाँग लकड़ी की थी। साफ़ था कि वह कुछ अच्छा करने नहीं आया था। बेलिंडा का चेहरा पीला पड़ गया और वह चिल्लाई, “बचाओ! बचाओ!” लेकिन जो बहादुर कहलाते थे, वे सब डर गए। मस्टर्ड डर के मारे चीखता हुआ भाग गया। इंक फिसलकर घर के नीचे छिप गया। छोटा चूहा ब्लिंक जल्दी से अपने बिल में घुस गया।

तभी कुछ ऐसा हुआ जिसकी किसी को उम्मीद नहीं थी। कस्टर्ड उछलकर आगे आया। वह “इंजन की तरह फुँफकारता” हुआ। उसकी पूँछ “कालकोठरी में लोहे के टकराने जैसी” आवाज़ कर रही थी। खड़खड़ाहट और झनझनाहट के साथ वह समुद्री डाकू पर टूट पड़ा, “जैसे कोई रॉबिन पक्षी कीड़े पर झपटता है।” समुद्री डाकू कस्टर्ड को देखकर सन्न रह गया। उसने घबराकर अपनी जेब से शराब निकाली और एक घूँट पी लिया। उसने दो गोलियाँ चलाईं, लेकिन दोनों निशाने से चूक गईं। उसी पल कस्टर्ड ने उसे पूरा का पूरा निगल लिया—“हर एक टुकड़ा।”

खतरा टलने के बाद बेलिंडा ने कस्टर्ड को गले लगा लिया। मस्टर्ड ने उसे चाट लिया। इंक और ब्लिंक खुशी से कूदने लगे और उस ड्रैगन के चारों ओर नाचने लगे जिसने समुद्री डाकू को खा लिया था। किसी ने भी उस डाकू के लिए दुख नहीं जताया। लेकिन थोड़ी देर बाद फिर अजीब-सी बात हुई। मस्टर्ड बोला कि अगर वह घबराया न होता, तो वह दो गुना बहादुर होता। इंक और ब्लिंक बोले कि वे तीन गुना बहादुर होते। कस्टर्ड ने चुपचाप उनकी बात मान ली और कहा कि बाकी सब उससे ज़्यादा बहादुर हैं। ज़िंदगी फिर से पहले जैसी हो गई। बेलिंडा अब भी अपने छोटे से सफ़ेद घर में रहती थी, अपने सभी पालतुओं के साथ। सबको अब भी बहादुर कहा जाता था। और कस्टर्ड अब भी “एक अच्छे से सुरक्षित पिंजरे” के लिए रोता रहता था।

बेलिंडा – आत्मविश्वासी और चंचल – पालतुओं की मालकिन

कस्टर्ड – डरा हुआ लेकिन ताकतवर – ड्रैगन जो सबको बचाता है

इंक – शेख़ी बघारने वाला – काला बिल्ली का बच्चा

ब्लिंक – तेज़ और चालाक – धूसर चूहा

मस्टर्ड – ऊँची आवाज़ वाला और घमंडी – पीला कुत्ता

समुद्री डाकू – क्रूर और ख़तरनाक – कहानी का खतरा

यह कहानी तुम्हें सिखाती है कि असली बहादुरी दिखावे या डींग मारने से नहीं होती। तुम यह समझते हो कि सच्चा साहस मुश्किल और ख़तरनाक समय में किए गए कामों से पहचाना जाता है, शब्दों या शक्ल से नहीं।

the tale of custard the dragon Keywords with meanings:

Belinda – The girl who owns the house and all the pets.​

Custard – The pet dragon who looks fierce but is actually timid.​

Ink – The little black kitten who boasts of being brave.​

Blink – The little grey mouse who joins in teasing Custard.​

Mustard – The little yellow dog who claims to be very brave.​

Pirate – The one-legged, armed intruder who attacks the house.​

Dragon – A large, mythical creature; here, Custard, Belinda’s pet.​

Coward – A person or creature who is easily scared and avoids danger.​

Brave – Ready to face danger or fear without running away.​

Ballad – A story poem with rhyme and rhythm.​

Grog – A strong drink often drunk by sailors or pirates.​

Flagon – A container or bottle used for holding drink.​

Cutlass – A short, curved sword used by sailors or pirates.​

Dungeon – A dark underground prison room.​

Cage – An enclosure of bars; here, a safe place Custard wants.​

Beard – Hair on the lower part of a man’s face; the pirate has a black one.​

Wooden leg – An artificial leg made of wood, shown for the pirate.​

Victim – A person who is harmed; here, the pirate eaten by Custard.​

Courage – The quality of facing danger without fear.​

Heroism – Brave actions that make someone a hero.​

the tale of custard the dragon Important Phrases:

“Belinda lived in a little white house”​

“a little black kitten and a little grey mouse”​

“a little yellow dog and a little red wagon”​

“a realio, trulio, little pet dragon”​

“the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard”​

“big sharp teeth”​

“spikes on top of him and scales underneath”​

“Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose”​

“realio, trulio daggers on his toes”​

“Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears”​

“Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs”​

“as brave as a tiger in a rage”​

“Custard cried for a nice safe cage”​

“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful”​

“Little red wagon”​

“Cowardly dragon”​

“Belinda giggled till she shook the house”​

“Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound”​

“a pirate, climbing in the winda”​

“Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right”​

“his beard was black, one leg was wood”​

“Belinda paled, and she she cried Help! Help!”​

“Mustard fled with a terrified yelp”​

“Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household”​

“Blink strategically mouseholed”​

“up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine”​

“Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon”​

“like a robin at a worm”​

“gobbled him, every bit”​

“No one mourned for his pirate victim”​

“in glee did gyrate”​

“I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered”​

“We’d have been three times as brave, we think”​

“everybody is braver than me”​

“keeps crying for a nice safe cage”​

the tale of custard the dragon question answer

Q1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.

Answer:The main human character is Belinda, who lives in a little white house.​

Her pets are a little black kitten named Ink, a little grey mouse called Blink, a little yellow dog named Mustard, and a realio trulio little pet dragon called Custard.​

Together they make a funny, lively family which makes the ballad enjoyable to remember.​

Q2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?

Answer:Custard always cried for a “nice safe cage” because he was very timid and wanted protection from any danger.​

Although he looked fierce, with big sharp teeth and spikes, he was afraid and did not boast like the others.​

The others teased him and called him a “cowardly dragon” because he did not act brave and kept asking for safety, which makes his later bravery more surprising.​

Q3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?

Answer:Belinda kept tickling Custard “unmerciful” because she and the other pets made fun of his cowardly nature.​

They thought it was funny that a big dragon wanted a safe cage while they boasted of chasing lions and being as brave as tigers.​

By teasing and tickling him, they tried to show they were braver than Custard, which highlights the contrast between show-off courage and real courage.​

Q4. 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:The poem is full of similes and comparisons that create strong pictures.​

For example, “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears” and “Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage” are similes comparing their bravery to wild animals.​

“Up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine” and “He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm” are also similes, making Custard’s attack vivid and easy to imagine, which helps students feel the action.​

Q5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.

Answer:In stanza three, the poet describes Custard as a fearsome dragon with “big sharp teeth,” “spikes on top of him and scales underneath.”​

His “mouth like a fireplace” and “chimney for a nose,” with “realio, trulio daggers on his toes,” make him look dangerous and powerful.​

This scary description is ironic because, in spite of such a terrifying appearance, Custard behaves like a coward, which makes the poem humorous.​

Q6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?

Answer:The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme that gives it a song-like rhythm.​

In the first stanza, the words “house,” “mouse,” “wagon,” “dragon” follow the pattern A A B B, which continues in many other stanzas.​

This simple and musical rhyme scheme makes the ballad easy to read aloud and remember, which suits a story-poem for young readers.​

Q7. 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:The poet uses many images to help the reader “see” the scene in the mind.​

Examples include “little white house,” “barrel full of bears,” “chased lions down the stairs,” and “snorting like an engine,” which give clear visual and action pictures.​

Images like “clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon” and “like a robin at a worm” make Custard’s fight with the pirate very dramatic and memorable.​

Q8. 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 poem is mainly light-hearted and humorous, even though it talks about courage and danger.​

The funny names like Ink, Blink, Mustard and phrases like “realio, trulio” and “climbing in the winda” create a playful tone.​

The contrast between the boasting pets and the “cowardly dragon” who finally eats the pirate adds gentle irony, making the message about real bravery easy and enjoyable to understand.​

Q9. 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.

Answer:Students may think of any modern song that narrates a clear story, such as a song about a journey, a friendship, or a struggle and victory.

They should identify how the song has characters, a setting, a problem, and a resolution, just like this ballad about Custard and the pirate.​

By comparing the poem with a song they already know, students can better enjoy narrative poetry and see that stories can be told both in poems and in music.​

Belinda lived in a little white house with her pets.

Grammar for the tale of custard the dragon

Q1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets. (Tenses)

a) Belinda ________ (live) in a little white house with a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a dragon.

b) When the pirate ________ (climb) in the winda, Mustard ________ (run) away with a terrified yelp.

c) Custard ________ (gobble) the pirate when he ________ (fire) two bullets at him.

Do as directed.

Q2. Change the voice (Active/Passive) of the following sentences. (Voice)

a) Belinda tickled Custard unmerciful.

b) Custard gobbled the pirate every bit.

c) Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs.

Do as directed.

Q3. Change the following sentences into indirect speech. (Reported Speech)

a) Belinda cried, “Help! Help!”

b) Mustard said, “I would have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.”

c) Ink and Blink said, “We’d have been three times as brave, we think.”

Do as directed.

Q4. Fill in the blanks with suitable articles (a, an, the) and prepositions. (Articles & Prepositions)

a) Belinda lived in ________ little white house ________ her pets.

b) The pirate held ________ cutlass bright ________ his teeth.

c) Custard cried ________ a nice safe cage ________ himself.

Do as directed.

Q5. Fill in the blanks with suitable modals (can, could, should, must, may). (Modals)

a) Belinda ________ be called very brave because she is “as brave as a barrel full of bears.”

b) The pets ________ not laugh at Custard because he later saves them from the pirate.

c) A real hero ________ stay calm when danger comes.

Do as directed.

Q6. Rewrite the following sentences as directed. (Sentence transformation: comparative/superlative/negative)

a) Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears. (Rewrite using “very brave”)

b) Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage. (Change into a comparative degree sentence)

c) Everybody is braver than Custard. (Rewrite as a negative sentence without changing the meaning)

Do as directed.

Q7. Join the following pairs of sentences using the conjunctions given in brackets. (Sentence transformation: combining)

a) Belinda paled. She cried for help. (use “and”)

b) The pirate fired two bullets. They did not hit Custard. (use “but”)

c) The pets boasted of bravery. They ran away when the pirate came. (use “though”)

Do as directed.

Q8. The following passage has an error in each line. Identify the incorrect word and write the correct word. (Editing)

Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bear.

Ink and Blink chases lions down the stairs.

Mustard were as brave as a tiger in a rage.

But Custard cry for a nice safe cage.

Do as directed.

Q9. One word is missing in each line. Write the missing word in the space provided. (Omission)

Belinda lived in a little white house ________

a little black kitten and a little grey mouse ________

a little yellow dog and a little red wagon ________

and a realio, trulio little pet dragon ________

Do as directed.

Q10. Complete the following passage with suitable words. (Gap Filling / Cloze)

Belinda ________ (a) in a little white house with her four pets. Ink was ________ (b) little black kitten and Blink was the little grey mouse. Mustard ________ (c) a yellow dog who boasted of his bravery. Custard was a dragon who always cried ________ (d) a nice safe cage.

Do as directed.

Q11. Rewrite the following sentences as questions. (Question formation)

a) Custard gobbled the pirate every bit.

b) Mustard fled with a terrified yelp.

c) Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household.

Do as directed.

Q12. Change the following sentences into the opposite (affirmative/negative) without changing the meaning. (Sentence transformation)

a) No one mourned for his pirate victim. (Change into affirmative)

b) Custard was not really a coward when the pirate attacked. (Change into affirmative showing his bravery)

c) The pets did not stay to fight the pirate. (Change into affirmative)

Do as directed.

Q13. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs and suitable prepositions. (Tenses + Prepositions)

a) The pirate was climbing ________ the winda when Custard jumped ________ him.

b) Ink and Blink were dancing ________ glee ________ the dragon that ate the pirate.

c) Belinda still ________ (live) ________ her little white house with her pets.

Do as directed.

Q14. Change the following into direct speech. (Reported Speech)

a) Custard said that everybody was braver than him.

b) The poet says that the dragon was a coward.

c) Belinda told Custard that she loved her little pet dragon.

Do as directed.

Q15. Complete the sentences using appropriate modals and correct forms of verbs. (Modals + Tense)

a) The pets ________ (learn) that they ________ (not / judge) someone only by his words.

b) A person ________ (be) quiet and still ________ (show) real courage in danger.

c) We ________ (respect) others who help us, even if they ________ (seem) cowardly at first.

Do as directed.

Here are grammar questions answers

 Q1. Fill in the blanks (Tenses)

a) Belinda lived in a little white house with a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a dragon.

b) When the pirate climbed in the winda, Mustard ran away with a terrified yelp.

c) Custard gobbled the pirate when he fired two bullets at him.

Q2. Change the voice (Active/Passive)

a) Custard was tickled unmercifully by Belinda.

b) The pirate was gobbled every bit by Custard.

c) Lions were chased down the stairs by Ink and Blink.

Q3. Change into indirect speech

a) Belinda cried for help.

b) Mustard said that he would have been twice as brave if he had not been flustered.

c) Ink and Blink said that they would have been three times as brave, they thought.

Q4. Articles & Prepositions

a) Belinda lived in a little white house with her pets.

b) The pirate held a cutlass bright in his teeth.

c) Custard cried for a nice safe cage for himself.

Q5. Modals

a) Belinda may be called very brave because she is “as brave as a barrel full of bears.”

b) The pets should not laugh at Custard because he later saves them from the pirate.

c) A real hero must stay calm when danger comes.

Q6. Sentence Transformation

a) Belinda is very brave.

b) Mustard is braver than a tiger in a rage.

c) Custard is not as brave as everybody else.

Q7. Join the sentences

a) Belinda paled and cried for help.

b) The pirate fired two bullets, but they did not hit Custard.

c) Though the pets boasted of bravery, they ran away when the pirate came.

Q8. Editing (Error Correction)

Incorrect                 Correct

Bear                          bear

Schase                       schased

Were                           was

Cry                             cried

Q9. Omission (Missing Words)

a) with

b) and

c) and

d) was

Q10. Gap Filling / Cloze

a) lived

b) a

c) was

d) for

Q11. Rewrite as questions

a) Did Custard gobble the pirate every bit?

b) Did Mustard flee with a terrified yelp?

c) Did Ink trickle down to the bottom of the household?

Q12. Change into affirmative / negative

a) Everyone mourned for his pirate victim.

b) Custard was really brave when the pirate attacked.

c) The pets ran away from the pirate.

Q13. Tenses + Prepositions

a) The pirate was climbing up the winda when Custard jumped at him.

b) Ink and Blink were dancing with glee at the dragon that ate the pirate.

c) Belinda still lives in her little white house with her pets.

Q14. Change into direct speech

a) Custard said, “Everybody is braver than me.”

b) The poet says, “The dragon was a coward.”

c) Belinda said to Custard, “I love my little pet dragon.”

Q15. Modals + Tense

a) The pets learned that they should not judge someone only by his words.

b) A person can be quiet and still show real courage in danger.

c) We should respect others who help us, even if they seem cowardly at first.

Extra Short Answer Questions (30–40 words)

Q1. How is Custard described in the beginning of the poem?

Answer:Custard is shown as a dragon with big sharp teeth, spikes on top, scales underneath, a mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose, and “realio, trulio daggers on his toes.”​

Q2. How are Belinda and her other pets described as brave?

Answer:Belinda is “as brave as a barrel full of bears,” Ink and Blink “chased lions down the stairs,” and Mustard is “as brave as a tiger in a rage,” all boasting of great courage.​

Q3. How did the pirate look when he entered the house?

Answer:The pirate climbed in the “winda” with a pistol in each hand, a bright cutlass between his teeth, a black beard and one wooden leg, clearly showing that he “meant no good.”​

Q4. How did the so‑called brave pets react when the pirate came in?

Answer:Belinda turned pale and cried “Help! Help!”, Mustard fled with a terrified yelp, Ink trickled down to the bottom of the house, and little Blink quickly “strategically mouseholed.”​

Q5. What did Custard do when he saw the pirate?

Answer:Custard jumped up “snorting like an engine,” clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon, rushed at the pirate like a robin at a worm, and finally “gobbled him, every bit.”​

Q6. How did everyone behave after Custard killed the pirate?

Answer:Belinda embraced Custard, Mustard licked him, and Ink and Blink “in glee did gyrate” around the dragon, and “no one mourned for his pirate victim.”​

Q7. What excuses did the other pets make after the danger was over?

Answer:Mustard said he would have been “twice as brave” if he hadn’t been flustered, Ink and Blink claimed they would have been “three times as brave,” and Custard agreed that everybody was braver than him.​

Extra Long Answer Questions (100–120 words)

Q1. Give a character sketch of Custard the dragon.

Answer:Custard looks like a perfect, fierce dragon with sharp teeth, spikes, scales, a fireplace mouth and chimney nose, and “realio, trulio daggers on his toes.”​

In spite of this fearsome appearance, he keeps crying for “a nice safe cage,” so everyone calls him a “cowardly dragon.”​

Belinda and her pets tease him, tickle him “unmerciful,” and laugh at him in the little red wagon.​

But when the pirate climbs in the “winda,” Custard jumps up bravely, fights like a machine, and “gobbled him, every bit.”​

Even after saving everyone, he stays modest and says everybody is braver than he is, showing quiet, real courage.​

Q2. How does the poem contrast real bravery with boasting?

Answer: The poem sets up Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard as very brave: they chase lions, are like a “barrel full of bears” and a “tiger in a rage.”​

They openly boast of courage and laugh at Custard, who only wants a “nice safe cage” and is called a “cowardly dragon.”​

When the pirate appears, all the “brave” ones run away or hide: Mustard flees, Ink trickles down, and Blink “strategically mouse holed,” while Belinda can only cry for help.​

Custard alone faces the pirate, bears the bullets and eats him up, proving real bravery in action.​

The contrast shows that quiet, scared-looking Custard is the true hero, not the loud boasters.​

Extra Extract-Based Questions

Extract 1:

“Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,

And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,

Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,

But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.”​

Q1. Who are Ink, Blink and Mustard?

Answer:Ink is the little black kitten, Blink is the little grey mouse, and Mustard is the little yellow dog living with Belinda.​

Q2. What does this extract tell you about Belinda and her pets?

Answer:It shows that Belinda and her pets are described as very brave, using funny comparisons with wild animals like bears, lions and a tiger.​

Q3. How is Custard shown as different from the others in these lines?

Answer:While the others are linked with bears, lions and a tiger, Custard does not boast and instead cries for a “nice safe cage,” so he appears cowardly.​

Extract 2:

“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.”​

Q1. What is happening in these lines?

Answer:The pirate has entered the house, and at this moment Custard suddenly jumps up and attacks him bravely.​

Q2. Name the poetic device used in “snorting like an engine” and “like a robin at a worm.”

Answer:The poet uses similes in both phrases, comparing Custard’s snorting to an engine and his attack to a robin going at a worm.​

Q3. How does this extract change our view of Custard?

Answer: Earlier he seemed cowardly, but here he acts strong and fearless, proving through his actions that he is truly brave.​

Extract 3:

“I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.

And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,

We’d have been three times as brave, we think,

And Custard said, I quite agree

That everybody is braver than me.”​

Q1. Who is speaking in the first line and what is he claiming?

Answer:The first line is spoken by Mustard, the little yellow dog, who claims he would have been twice as brave if he had not been upset.​

Q2. How do Ink and Blink try to save their image?

Answer:Ink and Blink say they would have been “three times as brave,” trying to hide the fact that they actually ran away from the pirate.​

Q3. What does Custard’s reply show about his nature?

Answer: Custard simply agrees that everyone is braver than him, showing that he is modest and not interested in boasting, even after his real heroic act.​

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