Question
English Language and Literature Question on The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Belinda and other animals have been described as brave. But on seeing the pirate they behaved in a cowardly way. How did they react? (A Tale of Custard, The Dragon)
Answer
In the poem “A Tale of Custard, The Dragon” by Ogden Nash, Belinda and her pets are initially portrayed as brave and fearless. However, when a pirate enters their home, their behavior contrasts with their claims of bravery. The reactions are:
- Belinda: She cried for help and turned pale with fear.
- Ink (the cat) and Blink (the mouse): They ran away and hid in fear.
- Mustard (the dog): He barked but quickly fled in terror.
- Custard (the dragon): Although mocked as a coward earlier, Custard showed true bravery by fighting and defeating the pirate.
The poem highlights the irony of how appearances and words can sometimes be misleading.