Chapter 7: Madam Rides the Bus The Tale of Custard the Dragon

‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ is a very light-hearted and funny poem which was written in such a way that everyone enjoys it. The poem was composed with a fixed rhyme scheme that makes it interesting and enjoyable to read. The poet has also used the wrong spelling, ‘winda’ instead of ‘window’, to maintain the rhyme scheme with ‘Belinda’ in the seventh stanza. The poet also describes the features of Belinda and her pets in a humorous manner. He compared Belinda’s bravery to a barrel full of bears, her kitten, Ink and mouse, Blink to be so brave that they could scare a lion down the stairs and her dog, Mustard, was brave like a raging tiger. On the contrary, her dragon Custard is the only one who has been projected to be a coward who looks for a cage for itself and was made fun of often by others for its cowardice. However, when the pirate attacked the little house, and everyone was scared, it was the same ‘cowardly’ dragon who saved everyone and jumped snorting like an engine on the pirate. It clashed its tail and charged towards the pirate like a robin at a worm and ate him. Although everyone made fun of the little dragon, it proved to be the bravest of all. Hence, the poem is dramatically ironic, which is funny and reflects the fun and humorous side of the poet.

Activity to be done by yourself.