The Tale of Custard the Dragon Poem Notes-Summary, Meanings, Central Idea

Poetry Notes based on the poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” written by Ogden Nash. The notes include summary, central idea, themes and vocabulary notes. Enjoy the notes and learn well here the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’.

Also See …

• The Tale of Custard the Dragon-Explanation
• The Tale of Custard the Dragon-Poetic Devices
• The Tale of Custard the Dragon-NCERT Q&A
• The Tale of Custard the Dragon-PYQs

Poetry Notes-The Tale of Custard the Dragon

About the Poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’

Poetry is full of literary devices that add rhythm, humour, and depth to the meaning. In “Custard the Dragon”, Ogden Nash skilfully uses several poetic techniques to make the poem engaging and entertaining. Let’s see some of the key literary elements used in the poem.

Detailed Summary of The Tale of Custard the Dragon

English Summary:

The poem The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash is a humorous ballad that tells the story of a little girl, Belinda, and her four pets—Ink (a kitten), Blink (a mouse), Mustard (a dog), and Custard (a dragon). Belinda and her pets boast about their bravery, often making fun of Custard for being a coward.

Custard, despite having a fearsome appearance with sharp teeth, spikes, and dagger-like toes, always asks for a safe cage, making the others laugh at him. They see themselves as brave and fearless.

However, when a pirate suddenly enters through the window, everything changes. Belinda screams for help, and all her so-called brave pets run away in fear—Mustard yelps, Ink hides, and Blink disappears into a mouse hole. But Custard, the so-called coward, jumps up and fearlessly attacks the pirate. He snorts like an engine, clashes his tail, and fights fiercely, ultimately swallowing the pirate whole.

After the danger is over, everyone praises Custard, but soon, Mustard, Ink, and Blink start making excuses and claim they would have been braver if they hadn’t been surprised. Custard, instead of boasting, humbly agrees that everyone else is braver than him.

The poem ends humorously, showing that despite Custard’s heroism, the others continue their false bravado while he remains humble and modest. The poem teaches us that true bravery is revealed in moments of crisis, not in words.

हिंदी सारांश:

ओग्डन नैश की कविता “द टेल ऑफ कस्टर्ड द ड्रैगन” एक हास्यपूर्ण गाथा है, जो एक छोटी लड़की बेलिंडा और उसके चार पालतू जानवरों—इंक (बिल्ली), ब्लिंक (चूहा), मस्टर्ड (कुत्ता) और कस्टर्ड (ड्रैगन) की कहानी बताती है। बेलिंडा और उसके पालतू जानवर अपनी बहादुरी का दिखावा करते हैं और हमेशा कस्टर्ड को डरपोक कहकर उसका मजाक उड़ाते हैं।

हालांकि कस्टर्ड एक भयंकर दिखने वाला ड्रैगन है, जिसके पास नुकीले दांत, कांटे और खंजर जैसे पंजे हैं, फिर भी वह हमेशा एक सुरक्षित पिंजरे की मांग करता है, जिससे बाकी सभी उसे कायर समझते हैं।

लेकिन जब एक समुद्री डाकू (पाइरेट) अचानक खिड़की से अंदर आता है, तो स्थिति बदल जाती है। बेलिंडा मदद के लिए चिल्लाती है और उसके बहादुर कहे जाने वाले सभी पालतू जानवर डरकर भाग जाते हैं—मस्टर्ड जोर से चिल्लाता है, इंक छिप जाता है, और ब्लिंक चूहे के बिल में घुस जाता है। लेकिन डरपोक कहे जाने वाला कस्टर्ड बहादुरी से कूदकर समुद्री डाकू पर हमला कर देता है। वह इंजन की तरह गरजता है, अपनी पूंछ पटकता है और पूरी ताकत से लड़ता है, और आखिरकार समुद्री डाकू को निगल जाता है।

खतरा टलने के बाद, हर कोई कस्टर्ड की तारीफ करता है, लेकिन कुछ ही देर में मस्टर्ड, इंक और ब्लिंक बहाने बनाने लगते हैं और कहते हैं कि अगर वे डरते नहीं, तो वे भी बहादुर होते। लेकिन कस्टर्ड, जो असली हीरो है, विनम्रता से स्वीकार करता है कि बाकी सब उससे ज्यादा बहादुर हैं।

कविता एक मजेदार अंत के साथ यह दिखाती है कि हालात के सामने असली बहादुरी ही मायने रखती है, न कि झूठे दावे। कस्टर्ड सच्चा नायक है, लेकिन फिर भी विनम्र और ईमानदार बना रहता है, जबकि बाकी अपनी झूठी बहादुरी पर जोर देते रहते हैं। कविता हमें सिखाती है कि सच्ची बहादुरी शब्दों में नहीं, बल्कि कर्मों में होती है। 😊

Central Idea of ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’

The poet uses humour, irony, and exaggeration to create a fun and engaging poem while subtly delivering a message about true bravery versus false bravado. 

The poem humorously tells the story of Custard, a dragon who is mocked for being cowardly but ends up being the real hero when danger arrives. 

The central idea revolves around the irony that those who consider themselves courageous (Belinda, Ink, Blink, and Mustard) run away in fear when real danger arrives, while the one who is constantly mocked for being a coward (Custard, the dragon) turns out to be the true hero.

Through this contrast, the poet highlights that true bravery is proven in moments of crisis, not in mere words or appearances. 

The poem also presents the idea that humility is more valuable than false bravado. Despite his heroic  Custard remains modest, while the others return to boasting about their so-called bravery.

Thus, the poem humorously challenges society’s tendency to judge individuals based on assumptions and suggests that actions speak louder than words.

Themes of ‘the Tale of Custard the Dragon’

The poem highlights true bravery vs. false bravado, showing that actions speak louder than words. While Belinda and her pets boast about courage but flee in danger, Custard, who is mocked as a coward, proves to be the real hero. Using humour, irony, and exaggeration, the poem also emphasizes humility, self-awareness, and the danger of misjudging others.

The poem explores several key themes:

1. True Bravery vs. False Bravado – The poem highlights that real courage is shown in difficult situations, not in words. While Belinda and her pets boast about their bravery, they run away when danger arrives. Custard, who is mocked as a coward, proves to be the true hero.
2. Irony and Humor – The poet uses humor and irony to challenge assumptions. Custard, the so-called coward, fights the pirate fearlessly, while the others, who pretend to be brave, flee.
3. Modesty and Self-Awareness – Custard remains humble despite his bravery, unlike the other pets who continue to act as if they were the courageous ones.
4. Judging Others Unfairly – The poem shows how society often misjudges people based on appearances or behavior, rather than their true nature.

Through these themes, the poet delivers an important lesson in a light-hearted and entertaining way. 😊

Vocabulary Notes (Meanings)