'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' by Ogden Nash

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Belinda lived in a little white house,

With a little black kitten and a little gray mouse,

And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon,

And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon.

Now the name of the little black kitten was
Ink,

And the little gray mouse, she called hum Blink,

And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard,

But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

But presently up spoke little dog Mustard,

I'd 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.

Belinda still lives in her little white house,

With her little black kitten and her little gray mouse,

And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon,

And her realio, trulio little pet dragon.

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.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Tale of Custard the Dragon: A Masterpiece of Children's Poetry

The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a classic poem written by Ogden Nash in 1936. The poem tells the story of a cowardly dragon named Custard who lives with a group of fearless animals in a household. When the brave animals are taken away by a pirate, Custard finds his courage and saves the day.

At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple children's story with a predictable ending. However, a closer look reveals the complexity of Nash's language, the use of satire, and the commentary on societal expectations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various layers of meaning in The Tale of Custard the Dragon.

The Language and Rhyme Scheme

One of the most striking aspects of The Tale of Custard the Dragon is the language used by Nash. The poem is written in a playful tone, with words that are easy to pronounce and understand, making it accessible to young readers.

The rhyme scheme used by Nash is also noteworthy. The poem is written in quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The simplicity of the rhyme scheme adds to the accessibility of the poem, while also emphasizing the rhythm and pacing of the story.

Nash's use of language and rhyme scheme creates a memorable and enjoyable reading experience for both children and adults.

The Use of Satire

While The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a children's poem, it also contains elements of satire. Satire is a literary technique used to expose and criticize societal flaws or vices.

In the poem, Nash satirizes the traditional roles of men and women. The male characters are portrayed as strong and brave, while the female characters are depicted as weak and helpless. For example, in the first stanza, we are introduced to the "brave Sir Peter" and the "lady with the lamp," who is described as "trembling." This reinforces stereotypical gender roles, where men are the protectors and women are the ones who need protecting.

However, as the story unfolds, the roles are reversed. Custard, who is initially portrayed as weak and cowardly, ends up saving the day. This subversion of traditional gender roles is a form of satire, highlighting the absurdity of societal expectations based on gender.

The Commentary on Expectations

At its core, The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a story about courage and bravery. However, it also contains commentary on societal expectations and the pressure to conform.

Custard is initially portrayed as a coward who is ridiculed by the other animals for his lack of bravery. This mirrors how individuals who do not conform to societal expectations are often ostracized and ridiculed.

However, when the brave animals are taken away by a pirate, Custard finds the courage to step up and save the day. This highlights the importance of individuality and the power of embracing one's unique qualities.

In addition, the ending of the poem is unexpected and subverts the reader's expectations. While the brave animals are celebrated and praised, it is Custard who is hailed as the hero. This reinforces the message that courage and bravery come in many forms and that societal expectations should not define one's worth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a masterful children's poem that contains layers of complexity and meaning. Nash's use of language, rhyme scheme, satire, and commentary on societal expectations make this poem a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

The subversion of traditional gender roles and the importance of embracing individuality are particularly relevant themes in today's society. Thus, The Tale of Custard the Dragon not only entertains but also educates and inspires readers to be brave, confident, and true to themselves.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Tale of Custard the Dragon: A Whimsical Adventure

Are you ready for a whimsical adventure? Then let me introduce you to The Tale of Custard the Dragon, a classic poem written by Ogden Nash. This delightful poem tells the story of a cowardly dragon named Custard and his unlikely transformation into a hero. With its playful language and clever rhymes, The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers of all ages.

The poem begins with a description of Custard, who is portrayed as a timid and lazy dragon. He spends his days lounging in the sun and avoiding any kind of danger. His owner, a little girl named Belinda, is the complete opposite of Custard. She is brave and adventurous, and she loves to play with her pets, including a brave little mouse named Ink and a fierce little kitten named Mustard.

One day, a pirate named Captain Kid comes to Belinda's town and threatens to attack the village. Belinda and her pets are terrified, but Custard is too scared to do anything. He hides under the sofa while Belinda and her other pets prepare to fight the pirates. However, when the pirates actually arrive, something unexpected happens. Custard suddenly becomes brave and fearless, and he charges at the pirates with all his might. He breathes fire and scares the pirates away, saving the day and becoming a hero in the eyes of Belinda and her friends.

The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a delightful poem that is full of humor and wit. Ogden Nash's playful language and clever rhymes make the poem a joy to read. For example, the poem begins with the line "Belinda lived in a little white house, with a little black kitten and a little gray mouse." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of whimsical descriptions and colorful characters.

One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way that Custard is portrayed. At the beginning of the poem, Custard is described as a cowardly and lazy dragon. He is afraid of everything and spends his days lounging in the sun. However, when the pirates arrive, something changes in Custard. He suddenly becomes brave and fearless, and he charges at the pirates with all his might. This transformation is unexpected and surprising, and it adds an element of excitement to the poem.

Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way that Belinda and her pets are portrayed. Belinda is a brave and adventurous little girl who is not afraid to stand up to the pirates. Her pets, Ink and Mustard, are also brave and fierce, despite their small size. In contrast, Custard is initially portrayed as a cowardly and lazy dragon. However, his transformation into a hero shows that even the most unlikely hero can rise to the occasion when it matters most.

The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers of all ages. Its playful language and clever rhymes make it a joy to read, and its whimsical characters and exciting plot make it a classic adventure story. Whether you are a child or an adult, The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a poem that is sure to delight and entertain you. So why not take a journey into the world of Belinda and her pets, and discover the magic of this delightful poem for yourself?

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