CBSE Class 10 English The Tale of Custard the Dragon Summary: The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a humorous poem by Ogden Nash included in the CBSE Class 10 English syllabus. It tells the story of a brave dragon named Custard who lives with a girl named Belinda and her pets—Ink the cat, Blink the mouse, and Mustard the dog. Although the others boast about being brave and mock Custard for being a coward, it is Custard who displays real courage when a pirate attacks their home. He fearlessly defeats the pirate and saves everyone. Surprisingly, once the danger is gone, the others go back to claiming they are brave, while Custard stays modest. This poem, as per the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern, is important for understanding poetic devices, theme analysis, and moral lessons. It emphasizes that real bravery is proven through actions, not words, and also teaches the importance of humility. Students should prepare this chapter well for questions in Section B (Poetry) of their English paper.
CBSE Class 10 English The Tale of Custard the Dragon Summary
Belinda lived in a little white house with her adorable pets—a black kitten named Ink, a grey mouse named Blink, a yellow dog named Mustard, and a pet dragon named Custard. While all the other animals and Belinda claimed to be fearless, Custard was constantly mocked for his cowardice. He often cried for a “nice safe cage,” which made the others laugh at him.
Despite his terrifying appearance—with sharp teeth, spikes, scales, and dagger-like toes—Custard was considered the most cowardly of all. Belinda and her pets would tease and ridicule him for lacking courage.
But everything changed when a pirate suddenly broke into their house through the window. The supposedly brave pets panicked—Mustard ran away, Ink and Blink disappeared to hide, and even Belinda was terrified. Surprisingly, it was Custard, the “cowardly” dragon, who faced the pirate. He fearlessly fought him off and ate him completely, saving everyone.
After the incident, Belinda and her pets were grateful and cheered for Custard. However, they quickly returned to their old ways, claiming they would have been braver if given a chance. Humble Custard, once again, simply agreed with them, never boasting about his heroic deed.
Theme and Message
The central theme of the poem revolves around true bravery versus pretended courage. It highlights how those who boast of their strength and courage may falter in real-life danger, while the quiet ones may rise heroically. Custard's bravery, despite being ridiculed, shows that actions speak louder than words. The poem also conveys a strong message about humility, as Custard never gloats about his bravery.
Poetic Devices Used
Ogden Nash uses several poetic devices to make the poem engaging:
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Repetition: Phrases like “realio, trulio” add rhythm and humor.
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Simile: “Brave as a barrel full of bears” adds vivid comparison.
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Alliteration: Helps in creating a musical effect.
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Imagery: Descriptive language brings characters and scenes to life.
CBSE Class 10 English The Tale of Custard the Dragon Conclusion
The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash is a humorous and light-hearted ballad that breaks stereotypes about bravery and cowardice. Though Custard the dragon is mocked for being a coward, he turns out to be the bravest of all when danger strikes.
The poem conveys an important message — true courage is shown through actions, not appearances or words. It teaches us not to judge someone based on how they seem, as even the seemingly timid can display great strength when it truly matters.
Through its playful language and amusing characters, the poem encourages humility, courage, and the value of inner strength.
CBSE Class 10 English The Tale of Custard the Dragon PDF Download
You can download the CBSE Class 10 English chapter "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" in PDF format from the link below.
This humorous poem by Ogden Nash presents a fun story about a cowardly dragon named Custard who surprises everyone with his bravery. It’s a great way to understand how courage can be found in the most unlikely of characters. To access the full text and explore the poem, simply click on the download link below:
