SEBA Class 10 English Poem 10 – The Tale of Custard the Dragon Explanation & Summary (Assamese Medium)
Need help with SEBA Class 10 English Poem 10 – “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”? Ospin Academy brings you Assamese Medium explanations, poetic devices, themes, and Q&A to make your preparation easier.
📚 Poem Overview:
This humorous poem by Ogden Nash tells the tale of Custard, a cowardly dragon who proves his bravery when it matters most. It highlights the theme that appearances can be deceiving.
🔹 Poetic Devices Used:
- Rhyme Scheme: aabb
- Alliteration
- Repetition
- Imagery
- Irony
📁 Themes:
- Bravery versus boasting
- Appearances versus reality
- Unexpected heroism
🔹 Stanza-wise Assamese Explanation:
- 1ম স্তবক: পেট্রেল, বেলিন্ডা আৰু কাষ্টাৰ্ডৰ পৰিচয়
- 2ম স্তবক: সিহঁতৰ দিনচৰ্যা আৰু কাষ্টাৰ্ডক লৈ মজা কৰা
- 3ম স্তবক: ডকাইতৰ আক্ৰমণ
- 4ম স্তবক: কাষ্টাৰ্ডৰ সাহসিক প্ৰতিক্ৰিয়া
- 5ম স্তবক: সিহঁতৰ মনোভাবৰ পৰিবৰ্তন
📝 Important Questions:
- What is the irony in the poem?
- How is Custard different from other pets?
- Explain how the poet uses humor in the poem.
📖 Ospin Academy Helps You With:
- Complete Assamese Explanation
- Textbook Q&A in easy language
- Poem summary and theme discussion
- Exam-focused preparation
Visit Ospin Academy for more Class 10 English poem summaries and explanations in Assamese!
Class 10 English (First Flight & Footprints) PDF Solutions 2025-26 | SEBA Assam
Download Class 10 English (First Flight & Footprints) PDF with textbook solutions, MCQs, and extra exercises for SEBA Assam 2025-26.
Chapter 10
The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Thinking about the Poem
Q.1 Who are the characters in the poem? List them with their pet names.
Ans.: There are five characters described in this poem. A girl Belinda and her four pets; a kitten, a mouse, a dog and a dragon. List with their pet names
|
Character |
Pet Names |
|---|---|
|
1. A girl |
Belinda |
|
2. A black kitten |
Ink |
|
3. A little grey mouse |
Blink |
|
4. A little yellow dog |
Mustard |
|
5. A little dragon |
Custard5 |
Q.2 Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called the ‘cowardly dragon’?
Ans.: Custard cried for a nice safe cage to be safe in case some danger comes up. The dragon had a very ferocious and frightening appearance but did not behave in an aggressive manner. This made others think that he was a coward and thus he is called the ‘cowardly dragon’.
Q.3 “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful..,” Why?
Ans.: Belinda and everyone considered the dragon to be a coward. She wanted the dragon to show some behaviour that suited his fearsome external appearance. Also, as she was not afraid of him she behaved very casually around him.
Q.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 poetic devices used in the poem?
Ans.:
|
Lines |
Poetic Device |
|---|---|
|
1. And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard |
Simile |
|
2. Mouth like a fireplace |
Simile |
|
3. Chimney for a nose |
Metaphor |
|
4. Belinda was as brave as a barrel |
Simile |
Q.5 Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon
Ans.: In the third stanza, the poet describes the appearance of the dragon as having big sharp teeth, spike on the top body and scales underneath it. The dragon’s mouth had fire and thus has been called a fireplace and the nostrils have been compared with the chimney.
Q.6 Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Ans.: The rhyme scheme of the first and second stanza is-aa bb.
Q.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.: The looks of the dragon have been illustrated by simulating a visual imagery of fireplace and nostrils. The author has depicted the bravery of the cat, dog, and the mouse by creating a written image of them chasing lions etc. In the latter part of the poem, the author uses these imageries to describe the appearance and the engagement of pirate with Belinda and her pets.
Q.8 Do you find ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans.: The poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a humorous poem. The names of the characters are funny. The pets called Custard by funny names, which makes the poem all the more humorous. All the pets boasted of being very brave but went into hiding as soon as the pirate arrived. After the events have finished, they again started to boast like nothing has happened. This part is funny as well.
Q.9 This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modem songs or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
Ans.: ‘Light of Asia’ is an epic ballad. It tells the story of Prince Siddartha, whose life started as a royal and culminated as a saint.
SEBA Class 10 English Poem 10 – The Tale of Custard the Dragon FAQs
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