Who wrote The Tale of Custard the Dragon?

The poem was written by the American poet Ogden Nash.

Who is the bravest character in the poem?

Custard the dragon, who is mocked as a coward but actually defeats the pirate.

What is the theme of the poem?

That true bravery lies in action rather than in boasting, and appearances can be deceptive.

What kind of poem is The Tale of Custard the Dragon?

It is a humorous narrative poem, often described as a comic ballad.

CBSE Class 10 First Flight · Chapter 18

The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Ogden Nash

The 'cowardly' dragon turns out to be the bravest of them all

Summary

This light, comic ballad tells of a little girl named Belinda who lives with her pets: a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a dragon called Custard. While the kitten, mouse and dog all boast about how brave they are, Custard the dragon is mocked by everyone for being a coward who keeps asking for a safe cage.

The situation reverses when a pirate suddenly breaks into the house. The brave-talking animals all panic and flee or hide, but the supposedly cowardly Custard charges at the pirate and gobbles him up, saving everyone.

Once the danger is over, the others go back to boasting and even claim they were braver than Custard. The poem humorously shows that those who boast loudest are often the most fearful, and that real courage shows itself in action, not in words.

Key points to remember

Theme: true bravery lies in action, not in boasting; appearances can deceive.
Form: a humorous narrative poem (a comic ballad) that tells a story.
Tone: playful, light-hearted and gently mocking.
Irony: the 'coward' dragon is the only one who shows real courage.
Device — humour and irony drive the whole poem.
Device — alliteration and internal rhyme create a bouncy, musical effect.
Device — onomatopoeia and exaggeration add to the comic, story-telling feel.

Important questions (board pattern)

3 marksHow does Custard the dragon prove that he is not really a coward?
How to answer: Describe how, when the pirate attacks, Custard fights and gobbles him up while the 'brave' pets flee.
3 marksWhat is the central message of the poem?
How to answer: Explain that real courage is shown through action, and those who boast most are often the most cowardly.
6 marksHow does Ogden Nash create humour in the poem?
How to answer: Discuss the comic characters, the irony of the brave-talkers fleeing, the bouncy rhymes and exaggeration that make it funny.
3 marksHow is irony used in 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon'?
How to answer: Show that the animal mocked as a coward turns out to be the bravest, reversing everyone's expectations.
2 marksDescribe Belinda and her pets at the start of the poem.
How to answer: Note Belinda with her boastful kitten, mouse and dog, and Custard the dragon mocked as timid.

Common exam traps

Don't take Custard's 'cowardice' at face value — the poem overturns it with irony.
Don't treat it as a serious heroic tale; the tone is comic and the form is a light ballad.
Distinguish irony from simple humour when a question asks specifically about devices.
Avoid forgetting the ending, where the others resume boasting — it reinforces the theme.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote The Tale of Custard the Dragon?: The poem was written by the American poet Ogden Nash.
Who is the bravest character in the poem?: Custard the dragon, who is mocked as a coward but actually defeats the pirate.
What is the theme of the poem?: That true bravery lies in action rather than in boasting, and appearances can be deceptive.
What kind of poem is The Tale of Custard the Dragon?: It is a humorous narrative poem, often described as a comic ballad.