NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight-Poem Chapter-7: The Tale of Custard the Dragon
The Tale of Custard the Dragon is one of the most entertaining and memorable poems in the Class 10 English First Flight textbook. Written by Ogden Nash, the poem is a humorous ballad that teaches an important lesson about courage and appearances. Through a lively narrative and amusing characters, the poet shows that true bravery is revealed through actions rather than words. For NCERT Solutions for Class 10, check out the NCERT solution for Class 10 English.
The poem revolves around a little girl named Belinda, who lives with her pets—a black kitten named Ink, a grey mouse named Blink, a yellow dog named Mustard, and a dragon named Custard. While all the other pets proudly boast about their courage, Custard is often mocked because he openly admits that he is afraid and wishes for a safe cage. This makes the others believe that he is a coward.
However, the story takes an unexpected turn when a pirate suddenly enters Belinda’s house. At that moment, all the supposedly brave characters become frightened and run away to save themselves. Custard, who was considered timid, faces the danger without hesitation. He fights the pirate and defeats him, protecting everyone in the house.
The poem highlights the difference between boasting and genuine courage. It teaches readers that people should not be judged based on what they say about themselves. True character is revealed during difficult situations. With its humorous tone, rhythmic flow, and memorable characters, the poem remains an engaging lesson on bravery, humility, and self-confidence.
Find the PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight-Poem Chapter-7-The Tale of Custard the Dragon.
Chapter Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Book Name | First Flight |
| Class | 10 |
| Subject | English |
| Chapter Number | 7 |
| Chapter Title | The Tale of Custard the Dragon |
| Poet | Ogden Nash |
| Genre | Humorous Ballad |
| Main Theme | Courage, Humility, Appearance vs Reality |
| Exam Importance | High |
| Learning Outcome | Understanding bravery through actions and character analysis |
Important Points of the Chapter
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Character | Custard the Dragon |
| Other Characters | Belinda, Ink, Blink, Mustard, Pirate |
| Setting | Belinda's house |
| Nature of Custard | Appears timid but is truly brave |
| Nature of Other Pets | Boastful and overconfident |
| Main Conflict | Arrival of the pirate |
| Climax | Custard defeats the pirate |
| Central Theme | Real courage is shown through actions |
| Tone | Humorous and playful |
| Literary Devices | Rhyme, repetition, imagery, irony |
| Key Message | Do not judge others based on appearances |
| Examination Relevance | Frequently asked in board examinations |
Summary of The Tale of Custard the Dragon
The poem tells the story of Belinda and her unusual group of pets. Belinda's companions include Ink the kitten, Blink the mouse, Mustard the dog, and Custard the dragon. Among them, Custard is constantly ridiculed because he always talks about being scared and wanting the safety of a cage. The others proudly claim to be fearless and brave.
One day, a pirate enters the house, creating a dangerous situation. As soon as the pirate appears, all the pets and even Belinda become frightened. Ink hides, Blink runs away, Mustard flees, and Belinda cries for help. Surprisingly, Custard, who was thought to be a coward, steps forward and confronts the pirate.
With great courage, Custard attacks the pirate and defeats him. The danger passes, and everyone is safe once again. After the incident, the others praise Custard's bravery. However, they soon return to boasting about their own courage, while Custard remains humble. This ending adds humor to the poem and reinforces its message about genuine bravery.
Themes and Literary Significance
The most important theme of the poem is the contrast between appearance and reality. Custard appears fearful, but he proves to be the bravest character when faced with a real threat. The poem also explores the idea that boasting does not make a person courageous.
Another major theme is humility. Unlike the other characters, Custard does not make grand claims about his abilities. His actions speak louder than words, demonstrating that confidence and bravery are best shown through deeds rather than self-praise.
Ogden Nash uses a simple rhyme scheme and repetitive patterns to create a musical and engaging reading experience. The poem's humorous style makes its deeper message easy for students to understand and remember.
Importance of NCERT Solutions for The Tale of Custard the Dragon
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Poem Chapter 7 help students understand the poem’s storyline, themes, character traits, and literary devices in a clear and structured manner. The solutions explain important concepts such as irony, symbolism, and the contrast between boasting and true courage. They also help students prepare effective answers for examinations by presenting detailed explanations in simple language.
By studying these solutions, learners can strengthen their comprehension skills, improve answer-writing techniques, and gain confidence in interpreting poetic texts. Since the poem contains important lessons about bravery, humility, and self-belief, a thorough understanding of the chapter is beneficial both for academic success and personal development. Well-prepared NCERT Solutions make revision easier and ensure that students are ready for school assessments as well as board examinations.
FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Poem Chapter 7 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Custard was called a coward because he was always afraid and often asked for a safe cage. Unlike Belinda, Ink, Blink, and Mustard, who proudly claimed to be brave, Custard openly admitted his fears. Because of this, everyone laughed at him and made fun of him. They considered him weak and timid compared to the others. However, their judgment was based only on appearances and words rather than actions. The poem later reveals that true courage is not about boasting or pretending to be fearless but about acting bravely when faced with real danger.
Custard proved his bravery when a dangerous pirate suddenly entered Belinda’s house. While the other pets who claimed to be brave became frightened and ran away, Custard faced the threat directly. He attacked the pirate with courage and defeated him, saving everyone from danger. This action showed that he possessed real bravery despite his fearful nature. The incident surprised the other characters and changed the readers’ perception of Custard. The poem teaches that true courage is demonstrated through actions during difficult situations, not through boasting or making claims about one's bravery.
When the pirate entered Belinda’s house, everyone became terrified. Belinda cried for help, Mustard ran away, Ink hid under the bed, and Blink disappeared in fear. Although they had always claimed to be brave, none of them faced the pirate. At that crucial moment, Custard the dragon stepped forward. He attacked the pirate fiercely and defeated him, protecting everyone in the house. After the danger was over, the others praised Custard for his bravery. This event forms the climax of the poem and highlights the difference between real courage and empty boasting.
The moral of the poem is that true courage is revealed through actions, not words. Many people may boast about their bravery, but their real character becomes evident only when they face a challenging situation. Custard, who was constantly mocked for being fearful, turned out to be the bravest of all when danger arrived. The poem teaches readers not to judge others based on appearances or assumptions. It also emphasizes the values of humility and genuine strength. Through humor and adventure, the poem delivers an important lesson about courage and character.