NCERT Solution of Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Glossary
grog: a drink typically drunk by sailors
gyrate: to move around in circles
Question 1:
Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.
Answer
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Question 2:
Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “cowardly dragon”?
Answer
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Question 3:
“Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful…” Why?
Answer
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Question 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 such poetic devices used in the poem?
Answer
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Question 5:
Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.
Answer
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Question 6:
Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?
Answer
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Question 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?
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Question 8:
Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
Question 9:
This poem, in ballad form, tells a story. Have you come across any such modern song or lyric that tells a story? If you know one, tell it to the class. Collect such songs as a project.
Answer
Class 10 Poem Chapter 9 The Tale of Custard the Dragon
