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Summary of the poem:
The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash is a humorous and lighthearted poem about a girl named Belinda and her unusual pets. Belinda lives in a small, white house with a brave black kitten named Ink, a smart yellow dog called Mustard, a timid grey mouse named Blink, and a large, fearful dragon named Custard. Even though dragons are usually seen as fierce and strong, Custard is quite the opposite. He is known as a “realio, trulio cowardly dragon” because he often cries for a safe cage to hide in.
Belinda, Ink, Blink, and Mustard are all fearless. Belinda is “as brave as a barrel full of bears,” Ink and Blink can chase lions, and Mustard is compared to an angry tiger. They often laugh at Custard and tease him for being so timid. They even call him “Percival,” mocking him with the name of a famous knight. They think it’s funny that such a big dragon is afraid of everything.
One day, a pirate with a wooden leg, two pistols, and a sharp sword sneaks into their house through the window. The pirate looks dangerous and has bad intentions. When Belinda and her pets see him, they are terrified. Belinda calls for help, Mustard runs away, Ink hides, and Blink finds a mouse hole to disappear into. Only Custard, the dragon they usually make fun of, is brave enough to face the pirate.
To everyone’s surprise, Custard jumps up, making loud noises as he moves. He clanks and squirms with determination. The pirate tries to shoot at Custard, but his bullets miss. Finally, Custard attacks the pirate and eats him up, saving everyone in the house.
Afterwards, Belinda hugs Custard, and Mustard licks him in gratitude. Ink and Blink celebrate by dancing around him. However, despite his heroic act, the other pets quickly return to their old ways, saying that they would have been even braver if they hadn’t been surprised. Custard agrees and stays humble, still asking for a nice safe cage, even though he just saved them all.
In the end, the poem uses irony and humour to show that sometimes, the one we think is the most fearful can be the bravest of all when it matters.