NCERT Solutions Class 10 English First Flight – Poem Chapter 7 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Ogden Nash's fun and amusing poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is in Chapter 7 of the English textbook First Flight for Class 10. The poem is about Custard, the cowardly dragon, who is called a coward by the other pets. Custard is mocked for being shy, but surprises everyone when danger occurs. The poem explores themes of bravery, self-worth, and the idea that things aren't always what they seem, all wrapped up in a fun story with nice rhyme and rhythm.
The NCERT Solutions for this poem, prepared according to the NCERT latest syllabus and CBSE guidelines, assist students in learning effectively to perform well in their examinations. Each question in the textbook has an accurate and concise response in these solutions. This aids students understand the poem’s meaning, the literary devices used, and the moral of the poem.
1.0Download NCERT Solutions Class 10 English First Flight[Poem] Chapter 7- The Tale of Custard the Dragon: Free PDF
The Chapter 7 of Class 10 English First Flight is the tale of courage and self-discovery. Download the Chapter 7 NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight in PDF format for free from below:
2.0Class 10 English Chapter 7 - The Tale of Custard the Dragon: Brief Explanation
“The Tale of Custard the Dragon” is a humorous poem about a timid dragon named Custard who surprises everyone by showing true bravery when faced with danger. It teaches that courage can come from unexpected places. Through the characters' interactions, this poem humorously examines the ideas of bravery and courage. Important points to note are:
- Character Contrast: Shows the favourable disposition of the brave yet pompous pets and Custard, the craven dragon.
- Theme of Courage: Shows that sometimes real courage can arise from unexpected places.
- Appearance vs. Reality: Reminds readers to be careful because actions or appearances can be deceiving.
- Humour and Rhyme: Engages readers and entertainingly delivers the story using playful language and rhyme.
- Moral Teaching: Encourages readers to respect our inner courage and avoid judging others quickly.
3.0NCERT Class 10 English Chapter 7: Detailed Solutions
Thinking About the Poem
1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Ans. One human and four animals are the characters in this poem.
- Custard - the dragon
- Ink - the kitten
- Blink - the mouse
- Mustard - the dog
2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called cowardly dragon?
Ans. Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was seemingly a coward. He thought that the house in which they lived was unsafe. The dragon is called 'cowardly dragon' because he is the only one in the house who is fainthearted. He always cries for a nice safe cage.
3. "Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful ....." Why?
Ans. Custard was a frightened little soul. Belinda did so out of affection. They all sat laughing in the little red wagon but the dragon used to cry for a nice safe cage. So Belinda would tickle the dragon unmercifully as she was sure he would never hurt her.
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?
Ans.
- clatter, clank, jangling, weeck, gowled and meowch (onomatopoeia).
- '........... Blink chased lions down the stairs.' (Exagerration)
- 'That everybody is braver than me.' (Satire)
- Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears. (Alliteration)
- Custard cried for a nice safe cage. (Alliteration)
- With a clatter and a clank. (Alliteration)
- Gaped at Belinda's dragon and gulped some grog. (Alliteration)
- 'W'd 'have been three times as brave (Paradox)
- 'But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine. (Simile)
- Sharp as mustard. (Simile)
- Mouth like a fireplace. (Simile)
- As brave as a barrel full of bears. (Simile)
- He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm. (Simile)
5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
Ans. Custard the dragon has big sharp teeth. On top it has spikes on his back and scales underneath on his belly. Its mouth emits fire like a fireplace. Smoke comes out of nose as if from a chimney. The claws on his toes may be sharp, hence the poet compares them to daggers.
6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Ans. The rhyming scheme of the last three stanzas (13,14,15) are-
Stanza 13− aa bb cc
Stanza 14 - aa bb
Stanza 15 - aa bb
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?
Ans. Yes, we can find such type of imagery in this poem. In the third stanza, we have delineation of the dragon. Similarly, in the 8th stanza, there is depiction of the pirate.
(i) Description of Dragon:
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth,
And spikes on top of him and scales underneath,
Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose,
And realio, trulio daggers on his toes...
(ii) Description of Pirate:
Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right,
And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright,
His beard was black, one leg was wood;
It was clear that the pirate meant no good.
(iii) Clashed his tail
irons in a dungeon
He went at the pirate like
a robin at a worm.
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.
Ans. I find this poem a light-hearted one. The following reasons support it. First, their names are rhyming ones-Ink: Blink, Custard: Mustard. Second, their humorous images of bravery-Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs. Third, Dragon has fearsome body even then he keeps crying for a nice safe cage. Fourth, the coward dragon emerges the bravest. Belinda still lives with false friends.
9. 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.
Ans. This question is to be answered individually. The students should collect such poems and share in the class.
4.0Key Features and Benefits of Class 10 English Chapter 7 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
- Practical solutions are provided according to the CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern reflected in the updated NCERT syllabus.
- Answers are written in simple and understandable language for easier learning.
- All themes, characters, and poetic devices are fully explored in the thorough explanations.
- Improves analytical and comprehension skills for assessment at school and for the CBSE English exam.
- Increases the confidence factor when answering questions relating to the answers to poetry, while promoting clear and organised thinking.