Ogden Nash’s “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” is a humorous ballad about a little girl named Belinda who lives in a small house with her pets — a kitten called Ink, a mouse called Blink, a little yellow dog called Mustard, and a dragon named Custard. While the others all boast of how brave they are, Custard the dragon is mocked for being a coward and always cries for a nice safe cage. One day, however, a fearsome pirate breaks into the house. The boastful Belinda and the brave-talking pets all panic and hide, but it is the so-called cowardly Custard who charges at the pirate and gobbles him up, saving everyone. Afterwards the others again pretend they were braver than Custard. Through this comic tale, Nash satirises false bravado and shows that those who boast loudest are often not the bravest, while true courage may lie in the most unexpected person. Appearances can be deceptive.
The story in 6 beats
1Belinda lives in a little white house with Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard, and each pet has a funny description.
2Everyone says they are very brave, but they call Custard a coward because he asks for a safe cage.
3Belinda and the pets keep laughing at Custard and make fun of his fear again and again.
4Suddenly a pirate enters the house with pistols, and Belinda, Ink, Blink, and Mustard all run away in fear.
5Custard bravely attacks the pirate, eats him up, and saves Belinda and all the pets.
6After the danger ends, the others boast again, but the poem shows that Custard is the truly brave one.
True courage versus false bravadoThe cowardly heroSatire and humourAppearances are deceptiveThe ballad form
Characters & key ideas
CCustard the dragonThe supposedly cowardly dragon who proves truly brave.
BBelindaThe little girl who owns the pets and boasts of bravery.
IInk, Blink and MustardThe kitten, mouse and dog who all boast but then hide.
