Question 6 (iv) - CBSE Class 10 Sample Paper for 2022 Boards [Term 2] - English - Solutions to CBSE Sample Paper - English Class 10 - English Class 10

A ballad includes the telling of a tale as well as a surprise ending. Using evidence from the poem, explain how these features are included in ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’.

Answer

• The ballad by Ogden Nash is a humorous take on the bravery of Belinda's pet- Custard the dragon. Belinda lived in a tiny white house with a black kitten named ink, a gray mouse named blink, a yellow dog mustard and a cowardly dragon custard.
• Every animal in the house is described as brave and fearless and compared to animals like bears, tigers and lions except custard the dragon who was timid and demanded space. He was taunted by Belinda and the other pets but he paid no heed to their jokes.
• One night, a pirate attacks the house and all the other so-called fearless animals hide in fear, all except Custard. The pirate tried shooting bullets but they didn't hit him. To everyone's surprise, Custard tackled the pirate and gobbled him up .
• All the other animals thanked him for saving their lives but couldn't accept the fact that the timid dragon handled the situation in a much better way.
• What the poet wants to highlight here is that even the most timid person can rise to the occasion and handle the toughest situations that those who claim to be fearless.