The Tale of Custard The Dragon Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 7 (Poem) CBSE Notes (2025-26)

The poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" written by Ogden Nash is a delightful ballad included in Chapter 7 of the Class 10 English First Flight textbook. 

This humorous poem revolves around Belinda and her unusual pets, including a supposedly cowardly dragon named Custard. The poem stands out for its playful style, rhyme, and engaging characterization, making it a favorite among students.

Summary of the Poem Belinda lives in a little white house with four pets: a black kitten (Ink), a grey mouse (Blink), a yellow dog (Mustard), and a dragon (Custard). 

While all the other pets boast of bravery, Custard is constantly ridiculed for being scared and always asking for a "nice safe cage." However, when a pirate suddenly enters their home, it is Custard who bravely fights off the intruder, protecting everyone. 

Despite his display of true courage, the others go back to boasting, and Custard returns to his desire for a safe space.

Main Characters and Their Traits

• Belinda: The main character, a brave little girl who owns a group of interesting pets and is as brave as a "barrel full of bears."
• Ink: The little black kitten, always confident and mischievous.
• Blink: The tiny grey mouse, described as playful and cheerful.
• Mustard: The yellow dog, considered brave as a tiger in a rage but runs away in times of real danger.
• Custard: The dragon, who appears cowardly but turns out to be the true hero during crisis.
• The Pirate: The antagonist who breaks into the house and is eventually defeated by Custard.

Poetic Devices and Structure The poem is written in the form of a ballad, consisting of rhyming couplets and a recurring refrain, "realio, trulio," which adds humor and rhythm. The main poetic devices used include:

• Simile: Comparing Belinda’s bravery to a "barrel full of bears" and Mustard being as "brave as a tiger in a rage."
• Imagery: Vivid descriptions like "mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose" for Custard the dragon help bring the poem alive.
• Onomatopoeia: Phrases such as "clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm" create sound effects.
• Repetition: The phrase "realio, trulio, little pet dragon" is repeated for emphasis and rhythm.

Theme of the Poem The story brings out an important theme: appearances versus reality. While Custard is always made fun of for being cowardly, he demonstrates real courage when it matters the most. 

The others, who claim to be brave, actually run away in danger. The poem thus highlights that real bravery is revealed through actions, not words. It also discusses acceptance and the value of every individual.

Stanza-wise Explanation

• The poem opens by introducing Belinda, her house, and each pet. Everyone is described as brave, except Custard, who cries for a safe cage.
• The other animals tease Custard by calling him "Percival" and giggle at his fears. Despite their jokes, Custard remains gentle and non-confrontational.
• Everything changes when a pirate with pistols and a cutlass climbs in through the window. The pets and Belinda are terrified and hide.
• Custard steps up with courage, confronts the pirate, and defeats him swiftly, saving his family.
• After the incident, everyone praises Custard, but soon revert to their usual boasting, while Custard continues to want a "nice safe cage."

Vocabulary Highlights

• Grog: A drink commonly consumed by sailors.
• Gyrate: To dance or move around in circles.
• Clashed: To make a loud, harsh noise, usually by hitting two hard objects together.
• Flagon: A large container in which drink is served, typically used for alcohol.

Important Questions and Answers

• Who are the characters in the poem? – Belinda, Ink, Blink, Mustard, Custard, and the pirate.
• Why is Custard called "cowardly"? – Because he always asks for a safe cage, though he displays real courage during the pirate attack.
• What is the rhyme scheme? – The poem follows the AABB rhyme scheme in nearly every stanza.
• Poetic device example: "Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon" shows the use of simile.

Moral of the Poem and Learning Outcomes

• Bravery is determined by actions in critical times, not by appearances or words.
• People often return to their old habits, even after life-changing events.
• Each individual has unique abilities, and their worth may be revealed in unexpected situations.

Self-check Questions for Revision

1. List all the main characters in the poem and their description.
2. Explain why Custard is considered cowardly and how he proves everyone wrong.
3. Identify and list the similes used in the poem.
4. Why do you think the other pets revert to boasting after the pirate incident?
5. Discuss the main theme conveyed through the poem.

Tips for Quick Revision

• Identify the rhyme scheme in each stanza to better understand the ballad structure.
• Focus on how poetic devices like simile and imagery help build the story’s mood.
• Review the vocabulary for understanding important words and their context in the poem.
• Revise the summary and character list for writing answers in the exam.

Practice: Writing Your Own Ballad Try developing a humorous ballad just like this poem. Keep your story simple, use two or three characters, include rhyme and rhythm, and don’t forget to add a refrain that repeats for fun!

Class 10 English Chapter 7 Notes – The Tale of Custard the Dragon: Key Points for Quick Revision

These Class 10 English Chapter 7 notes help you recall each detail of "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" poem easily. Find all important characters, poetic devices, and summary points with these clear, student-friendly revision notes. Quick reference to key literary terms and main events makes last-minute study effective for exams.

Reviewing Vedantu’s concise revision materials ensures you understand the message of courage and acceptance in the poem. Use these structured points and explanations to answer short and long questions confidently in your CBSE Board exams. The notes also guide you to identify poetic techniques for in-depth literary appreciation.