Class 10 English Poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is explained here in English and Hindi along with vocabulary Notes. The explanation is stanza wise in easy comprehensible language. NCERT Class 10 English textbook ‘First Flight’ contains this poem.
‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ Explanation
The poem contains 15 stanzas, and every stanza is explained with its vocabulary Notes,
Stanza 01:
Belinda lived in a little white house,
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse,
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
Vocabulary:
Little red wagon: A small cart with wheels, छोटी लाल गाड़ी पहियों वाली छोटी गाड़ी; Pet dragon: A domesticated dragon पालतू ड्रैगन घर में पाला हुआ ड्रैगन; Realio: Really; genuinely (वास्तव में; सच में); Trulio: ruly; sincerely (सच में; ईमानदारी से).
“realio, trulio” is a playful, exaggerated way to emphasize that the pet dragon is not only small but also authentically and genuinely a dragon, enhancing the humorous tone of the poem.
Explanation:
Belinda lived in a small white house with her four pets: a black kitten (Ink), a grey mouse (Blink), a yellow dog (Mustard), and a pet dragon named Custard. She also had a little red wagon.
बेलिंडा एक छोटे से सफेद घर में रहती थी। उसके चार पालतू जानवर थे—एक काला बिल्ली का बच्चा (इंक), एक ग्रे चूहा (ब्लिंक), एक पीला कुत्ता (मस्टर्ड) और एक पालतू ड्रैगन (कस्टर्ड)। उसके पास एक लाल रंग की छोटी गाड़ी भी थी।
Stanza 02:
Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink,
And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink,
And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,
But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
Vocabulary:
| Word/Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sharp as Mustard | Very intelligent and alert (बहुत चतुर और सतर्क) |
| coward | Someone who lacks courage (कायर; डरपोक) |
“sharp as Mustard” highlights the dog’s cleverness, while “coward” describes Custard, who is considered timid and fearful by others.
Explanation:
Belinda had given names to her pets. The kitten was called Ink, the mouse was named Blink, and the dog was Mustard. Custard, the dragon, was a coward despite his fierce appearance.
बेलिंडा ने अपने पालतू जानवरों को नाम दिए थे। बिल्ली के बच्चे का नाम इंक, चूहे का नाम ब्लिंक और कुत्ते का नाम मस्टर्ड था। ड्रैगन, जिसका नाम कस्टर्ड था, देखने में डरावना था लेकिन वास्तव में बहुत डरपोक था।
Stanza 03:
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.
Vocabulary:
| spikes | Sharp, pointed structures on Custard’s back (नुकीले कांटे) |
| scales underneath | Hard protective skin on the dragon’s body (नीचे सख्त चमड़ी) |
| fireplace | A place where fire burns, comparing Custard’s mouth to it (अंगीठी; चूल्हा) |
| daggers | Sharp, pointed weapons, referring to Custard’s claws (छुरियां; तीखे नाखून) |
These words describe Custard’s fearsome appearance, creating a contrast with his timid nature. His sharp features suggest strength, but his behaviour is cowardly.
Explanation:
Custard looked very dangerous. He had big, sharp teeth, spikes on his back, scales underneath, and his mouth looked like a fireplace. His nose was like a chimney, and his claws were as sharp as daggers.
कस्टर्ड देखने में बहुत खतरनाक लगता था। उसके बड़े और नुकीले दांत थे, पीठ पर कांटे थे, नीचे मजबूत चमड़ी थी, और उसका मुँह जलती हुई आग जैसी दिखती थी। उसकी नाक चिमनी जैसी थी, और उसके पंजे खंजर की तरह तेज थे।
Stanza 04:
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Vocabulary:
| barrel full of bears | Extremely brave (बहुत ज्यादा बहादुर) |
| chased | Ran after to attack or scare (पीछा किया; दौड़ाया) |
| nice safe cage | A secure place where Custard feels protected (सुरक्षित पिंजरा) |
This stanza contrasts Belinda’s and her pets’ bravery with Custard’s fear. While others are described as bold and fearless, Custard longs for a safe place, showing his timid nature.
Explanation:
Belinda was very brave, as strong as a group of bears. Ink and Blink were also very fearless, chasing lions down the stairs. Mustard, the dog, was as fierce as an angry tiger. But Custard, the dragon, was the opposite—he always cried for a safe place.
बेलिंडा बहुत बहादुर थी, जैसे भालुओं का एक झुंड। इंक और ब्लिंक भी निडर थे, वे शेरों को सीढ़ियों से नीचे भगाने की हिम्मत रखते थे। मस्टर्ड गुस्से में बाघ जैसा था। लेकिन कस्टर्ड इसके विपरीत था—वह हमेशा एक सुरक्षित जगह के लिए रोता रहता था।
Stanza 05:
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful,
Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival,
They all sat laughing in the little red wagon
At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
Vocabulary:
| tickled | Lightly touched to make someone laugh (गुदगुदाया) |
| unmerciful | Without kindness or pity; harshly (निर्दयता से) |
| rudely | In an impolite or mocking way (असभ्यतापूर्वक) |
| Percival | A reference to a knight, used mockingly for Custard (Percival नामक बहादुर योद्धा का मज़ाक उड़ाने के लिए) |
The stanza shows how Custard is teased by Belinda and her pets. They mock him unkindly, calling him Percival—ironically comparing him to a brave knight, even though they think he is a coward.
Explanation:
Belinda and the other pets made fun of Custard. She used to tickle him mercilessly, and Ink, Blink, and Mustard would mock him by calling him “Percival” (which is ironic because Percival was a brave knight). They all laughed at Custard while sitting in the little red wagon.
बेलिंडा और बाकी सभी जानवर कस्टर्ड का मज़ाक उड़ाते थे। वह उसे बिना रुके गुदगुदी करती थी, और इंक, ब्लिंक, और मस्टर्ड उसे “पर्सीवल” कहकर चिढ़ाते थे (जो कि एक बहादुर योद्धा का नाम था, इसलिए यह विडंबनापूर्ण था)। वे सब लाल गाड़ी में बैठकर कस्टर्ड पर हँसते थे।
Stanza 06:
Belinda giggled till she shook the house,
And Blink said Weeck! which is giggling for a mouse,
Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age,
When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Vocabulary:
| giggled | Laughed in a light, playful way (दबी आवाज़ में हंसा) |
| Weeck | A squeaky sound made by Blink, expressing laughter (चूहे की किकियाने जैसी हंसी) |
This stanza highlights how everyone laughs at Custard. Belinda giggles, and Blink’s “Weeck” is a squeaky laugh, adding to the playful and mocking tone of the poem.
Explanation:
Belinda laughed so hard that her house shook. Blink made a squeaky sound to show its amusement. Ink and Mustard rudely asked Custard’s age while making fun of him. Meanwhile, Custard kept asking for a safe place to hide.
बेलिंडा इतनी ज़ोर से हँसी कि उसका घर हिलने लगा। ब्लिंक ने खुशी में ‘वीक’ जैसी आवाज़ निकाली। इंक और मस्टर्ड ने कस्टर्ड से उसकी उम्र के बारे में मज़ाक में पूछा। वहीं, कस्टर्ड फिर भी एक सुरक्षित जगह की माँग करता रहा।
Stanza 07:
Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound,
And Mustard growled, and they all looked around.
Meowch! cried Ink, and ooh! cried Belinda,
For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.
Vocabulary:
| a nasty sound | An unpleasant or scary noise (एक भयानक या डरावनी आवाज़) |
| pirate | A sea robber; a thief who attacks ships (समुद्री लुटेरा; डाकू) |
| winda | A playful way of saying “window” (खिड़की) |
This stanza builds suspense and fear as the characters hear a scary noise, and a pirate enters through the window. The poet’s use of “winda” instead of “window” keeps the humorous and rhythmic tone.
Explanation:
Suddenly, they all heard a terrible sound. Mustard growled, and everyone looked around in fear. Ink screamed “Meowch!”, and Belinda cried in fear because a pirate was climbing through the window.
अचानक, उन्होंने एक भयानक आवाज़ सुनी। मस्टर्ड गुर्राया, और सब डर के मारे इधर-उधर देखने लगे। इंक ने “म्याउच!” कहकर चिल्लाया और बेलिंडा डर के मारे चीख उठी क्योंकि एक समुद्री लुटेरा खिड़की से अंदर चढ़ रहा था।
Stanza 08:
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.
Vocabulary:
| cutlass | A short, curved sword used by pirates (छोटी मुड़ी हुई तलवार) |
| meant no good | Had bad intentions; wanted to harm (बुरे इरादे रखना) |
This stanza emphasizes the pirate’s dangerous nature. His cutlass is a weapon, and the phrase “meant no good” shows that he has come with evil intentions, adding to the tension in the poem.
Explanation:
The pirate was armed with two pistols, one in each hand. He had a shining sword in his mouth. His beard was black, and he had a wooden leg. It was clear that he had bad intentions.
समुद्री लुटेरे के दोनों हाथों में पिस्तौलें थीं, और उसके मुँह में एक चमकती हुई तलवार थी। उसकी दाढ़ी काली थी और एक लकड़ी की टांग थी। यह साफ़ था कि वह अच्छे इरादों से नहीं आया था।
Stanza 09:
Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.
Vocabulary:
| yelp | A short, high-pitched cry of fear (डर के मारे चीख) |
| trickled down | Moved slowly downward in fear (धीरे-धीरे नीचे उतर गया) |
| strategically | In a planned and clever way (चतुराई से; रणनीति के तहत) |
| mouseholed | Hid in a small hole like a mouse (चूहे के बिल में छिप गया) |
Explanation: This stanza highlights how Belinda’s pets react in fear. Mustard yelps and runs, Ink slowly sneaks away, and Blink strategically hides in a hole, showing their cowardice despite earlier claims of bravery.
Explanation:
Belinda was terrified and cried for help, but Mustard ran away in fear. Ink slithered down to the bottom of the house, and Blink quickly hid in his hole, trying to escape the pirate.
बेलिंडा डर के मारे चिल्लाने लगी और मदद के लिए पुकारने लगी, लेकिन मस्टर्ड डरकर भाग गया। इंक नीचे फर्श की ओर सरक गया, और ब्लिंक जल्दी से अपने बिल में छिप गया, ताकि समुद्री लुटेरे से बच सके।
Stanza 10:
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.
Vocabulary:
| dungeon | A dark underground prison (अंधेरी भूमिगत जेल) |
| clatter and a clank | Loud metallic crashing sounds (धातु के टकराने की आवाज़) |
| jangling | A harsh, ringing noise (खनखनाने या झनझनाने की आवाज़) |
| squirm | To twist or wriggle the body (कसमसाना या मरोड़ खाना) |
This stanza builds excitement as Custard suddenly fights back. His tail makes loud metallic sounds, and his movements are fierce, creating a dramatic contrast to his earlier cowardly nature.
Explanation:
While everyone else was scared, Custard suddenly jumped up and roared like an engine. His tail clanged like iron chains in a dungeon. Making a loud noise, he rushed toward the pirate like a bird attacking a worm.
जब सभी डर गए थे, तभी कस्टर्ड अचानक कूद पड़ा और इंजन की तरह गरजने लगा। उसकी पूंछ लोहे की जंजीरों की तरह बजने लगी। तेज़ आवाज़ करते हुए, वह समुद्री लुटेरे की ओर इस तरह झपटा जैसे एक पक्षी कीड़ा पकड़ने जाता है।
Stanza 11:
The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two bullets, but they didn’t hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.
Vocabulary:
| gaped | Stared in shock or surprise (हक्का-बक्का होकर घूरना) |
| gulped | Swallowed quickly out of fear or nervousness (घबराहट में जल्दी से निगलना) |
| grog | An alcoholic drink, usually rum (शराब, आमतौर पर रम) |
| flagon | A large container for holding liquids (शराब रखने का बड़ा बर्तन) |
| gobbled | Ate quickly and greedily (गड़गड़ाहट के साथ निगल जाना) |
| every bit | Completely; the whole thing (पूरा का पूरा) |
The stanza shows the pirate’s fear and shock. He gulps his drink nervously, but Custard attacks fiercely and eats him completely, proving his unexpected bravery.
Explanation:
The pirate was shocked to see Custard. Nervous, he quickly drank some alcohol from his flask. He fired two bullets at Custard, but they missed. Before the pirate could do anything else, Custard swallowed him completely.
समुद्री लुटेरा कस्टर्ड को देखकर हैरान रह गया। घबराहट में, उसने जल्दी से अपनी जेब से शराब निकाली और पी ली। उसने कस्टर्ड पर दो गोलियां चलाईं, लेकिन वे उसे लगी ही नहीं। इससे पहले कि समुद्री लुटेरा कुछ कर पाता, कस्टर्ड ने उसे पूरा निगल लिया।
Stanza 12:
Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him,
No one mourned for his pirate victim.
Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate
Around the dragon that ate the pirate.
Vocabulary:
| embraced | Hugged tightly to show love or appreciation (गले लगाया; आलिंगन किया) |
| gyrate | To spin or dance in circles (घूमना या चक्कर लगाना) |
This stanza shows how everyone celebrates Custard’s victory. Belinda hugs him, showing gratitude, and Ink and Blink dance joyfully, even though they had previously mocked him.
Explanation:
After Custard defeated the pirate, Belinda hugged him, and Mustard licked him to show appreciation. Nobody felt sorry for the pirate’s fate. Ink and Blink happily danced around Custard in celebration.
जब कस्टर्ड ने समुद्री लुटेरे को हरा दिया, तो बेलिंडा ने उसे गले लगाया, और मस्टर्ड ने उसे चाटकर अपनी खुशी जताई। किसी को भी समुद्री लुटेरे की मौत का अफ़सोस नहीं हुआ। इंक और ब्लिंक खुशी से कस्टर्ड के चारों ओर नाचने लगे।
Stanza 13:
But presently up spoke little dog Mustard,
I’d have been twice as brave if I hadn’t been flustered.
And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,
We’d have been three times as brave, we think,
And Custard said, I quite agree
That everybody is braver than me.
Vocabulary:
| presently | Soon; after a short time (थोड़ी देर बाद) |
| flustered | Confused and nervous (घबराया और परेशान) |
This stanza highlights how Mustard tries to justify his cowardice by saying he was only scared at that moment. The word “presently” suggests how quickly things return to normal after the event.
Explanation:
After the fight, Mustard claimed that he would have been twice as brave if he had not been flustered. Ink and Blink also said they would have been three times as brave. Custard agreed with them, saying that everyone was braver than him.
लड़ाई के बाद, मस्टर्ड ने दावा किया कि अगर वह घबराया नहीं होता, तो वह दो गुना ज्यादा बहादुर होता। इंक और ब्लिंक ने भी कहा कि वे तीन गुना ज्यादा बहादुर होते। कस्टर्ड ने उनकी बात मान ली और कहा कि हाँ, सब उससे ज्यादा बहादुर हैं।
Stanza 14:
Belinda still lives in her little white house,
With her little black kitten and her little grey mouse,
And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon,
And her realio, trulio little pet dragon.
Explanation:
Life returned to normal. Belinda continued living in her little white house with Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard, along with her little red wagon.
सब कुछ फिर से पहले जैसा हो गया। बेलिंडा अपने छोटे से सफेद घर में इंक, ब्लिंक, मस्टर्ड, और कस्टर्ड के साथ अपनी लाल गाड़ी के साथ रहने लगी।
Stanza 15:
Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs,
Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage.
Explanation:
Belinda remained as brave as a group of bears, and Ink and Blink continued acting fearless, chasing lions down the stairs. Mustard still behaved like a furious tiger, but Custard remained the same—always crying for a safe cage.
बेलिंडा पहले की तरह बहादुर बनी रही, और इंक और ब्लिंक बिना किसी डर के शेरों को सीढ़ियों से भगाने का दिखावा करते रहे। मस्टर्ड अब भी गुस्साए बाघ की तरह दिखावा करता था, लेकिन कस्टर्ड हमेशा की तरह अपनी सुरक्षित जगह के लिए रोता रहा।