NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 7 The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Thinking About the Poem

1. Who are the characters in this poem? List them with their pet names.

Ans: In this poem, the characters are Belinda, a young girl, and her pets: a small black kitten, a little grey mouse, a small yellow dog, a tiny pet dragon, and a pirate.

2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called a “cowardly dragon”?

Ans: Custard wanted a safe cage because it was easily scared. It was called a "cowardly dragon" because everyone else in the house was brave. Belinda was brave like a barrel full of bears, Ink and Blink could chase lions, and Mustard was as brave as an angry tiger.

3. “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful...” Why?

Ans: Tickling always affects those who are more sensitive. Therefore, Belinda tickled the dragon relentlessly because it had a big effect on him. Even though he was a dragon, being tickled could upset him, which showed how easily scared he was, and everyone laughed about it.

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?

Ans: In the poem "The Tale of Custard, the Dragon," the poet uses a few special ways of writing:

• Simile: The poet compares Custard's mouth to a fireplace, describing its appearance or warmth.

• Repetition: The word "little" is used many times in the first stanza, showing the small size or how cute the characters are.

5. Read stanza three again to know how the poet describes the appearance of the dragon.

Ans: In stanza three, the poet describes Custard the dragon's appearance vividly:

Custard has big, sharp teeth.

He has spikes on his back and scales underneath his body.

His mouth is compared to a fireplace, and he has a chimney-like nose.

There are real daggers on his toes, described as "realio, trulio."

These descriptions paint a picture of Custard as a fearsome yet imaginative creature with specific physical features.

6. Can you find out the rhyme scheme of two or three stanzas of the poem?

Ans: The poem follows a rhyme pattern where every two lines rhyme together, forming a pattern of 'AABB'.

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?

Ans: Writers often use phrases and words that don't directly explain their meaning but instead hint at it, sparking our imagination to interpret their intended picture. Examples of such imagery in the poem include: 'mouth like a fireplace', 'chimney for a nose', 'brave as a barrel full of bears', 'brave as a tiger in a rage', and 'went at the pirate like a robin at a worm'. These expressions encourage readers to visualize and interpret the descriptions in their own way, adding depth and interest to the writing.

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.

Ans: The poem "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a fun and funny story that everyone can enjoy. It uses a consistent rhyme pattern that makes it easy and pleasant to read, and sometimes even uses words spelt in a funny way to keep the rhyme. The characters, especially Belinda and her pets, add to the humour of the poem. Belinda is described as incredibly brave, like a whole barrel of bears. Her small pets, like the kitten and the mouse, are shown as brave enough to scare even a lion, and the dog is as brave as a fierce tiger. Surprisingly, the dragon, the largest character, is portrayed as timid and seeks safety in a cage, which adds to the poem's humour.

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.

Ans: A ballad is a type of poem or song that tells a story, often about love, adventure, or historical events. One example of a modern song that tells a story is the theme song from "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." It narrates how a young man's life changes after moving from West Philadelphia to Bel-Air. Another example is "Stan" by Eminem, which tells the tragic story of an obsessed fan named Stan through letters he writes to the rapper. These songs use their lyrics to tell a narrative, similar to how a ballad does in poetry.

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 7 The Tale of Custard the Dragon

• Students learn what symbols like Custard the Dragon represent, such as a longing for safety and freedom.

• The poem makes students consider big concepts like freedom and rules in society.

• They enjoy how poets use words and comparisons to tell deeper stories in their poems.

• The poem encourages students to think about their own wishes for freedom and how they fit into the world.

• By studying the poem, students get better at understanding and analyzing poetic language.

• Using NCERT Solutions helps students prepare for exams by understanding the poem's themes and meanings effectively.

Conclusion

Studying NCERT Solutions for Chapter 7 "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" in Class 10 English helps students encourage nature's symbols and the value of personal freedom. It encourages them to think about their desires and how they fit into society. By exploring this poem, students will improve their understanding of poetry and insights into their thoughts about life. Vedantu offers FREE PDFs of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 7 "The Tale of Custard the Dragon," helping students understand the poem and prepare for the exams.

Links to NCERT Class 10 English Solutions - First Flight Prose (FREE PDF Download)

NCERT Class 10 English Solutions - First Flight Poem:

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