The Tale of Custard the Dragon

Who is the poet and what kind of poem is this?

The poem is written by Ogden Nash, an American poet remembered for his humour and his playful rhymes. The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a ballad — a light, story-telling poem meant to entertain. Nash uses funny exaggeration, made-up rhyming words and a sing-song rhythm so that the poem reads almost like a nursery rhyme for children, yet it carries a clever message for readers of every age. The tone is gentle and comic, never serious or frightening, even when a real danger appears.

The household of Belinda

A little girl named Belinda lives all alone in a little white house with four pets. She has a little black kitten called Ink, a little grey mouse called Blink, a little yellow dog called Mustard, and a little dragon called Custard. The poet deliberately repeats the word “little” again and again to create a cosy, miniature, almost toy-like world. Belinda herself is described as being “as brave as a barrel full of bears”, and the dog Mustard is “as brave as a tiger in a rage”. Even the tiny kitten and mouse are praised for their courage.

Custard the so-called coward

In sharp contrast to the others, the dragon Custard is shown as a coward. Although a dragon should be the most fearsome creature of all — with “big sharp teeth”, “spikes on top of him and scales underneath”, a “mouth like a fireplace”, a “chimney for a nose” and “daggers on his toes” — Custard constantly cries for a “nice safe cage”. Because of this, everybody laughs at him and mocks him. Belinda giggles, Ink and Blink make fun of him, and Mustard the dog calls him Percival in scorn. Custard is the joke of the household, the only one labelled a coward while everyone else boasts of their bravery.

The pirate arrives — the turning point

The cosy mood breaks suddenly. One night, while the house is quiet, a pirate climbs in through the window. He has a pistol in each hand, a cutlass between his teeth, black beard and one wooden leg. Now the moment of real danger has arrived — and the so-called brave ones fall apart. Belinda cried, and she cried for help; Mustard the dog ran away; Ink the kitten and Blink the mouse hid themselves. All the loud claims of courage vanish the instant a real threat appears.

Custard the real hero

While everyone else panics or flees, the “cowardly” dragon does the opposite. Custard gives a gulp, and then, with a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm, he leaps at the pirate. He goes “snorting like an engine”, with stomach and tail held high, and lands right where the pirate is standing. The frightened pirate fires his pistols but misses. In a flash, Custard gobbles the pirate up, swallowing him whole. The coward of the household has become its saviour. The danger is over, and it is the dragon — the one they laughed at — who has saved everyone’s life.

Back to old habits — the ironic ending

After the rescue, Belinda embraces Custard, and even the kitten, the mouse and the dog all praise him and thank him. But human nature soon returns. Belinda again declares that she is braver than the dragon; Mustard says he is braver if only he were not afraid; and Ink and Blink also start boasting once more. Custard, with great modesty, simply agrees: “I’d been twice as brave if I hadn’t been so busy.” He does not argue or show off. The poem ends with the household exactly as it began — Custard still crying for a “nice safe cage”, and the others still pretending to be the brave ones. This gentle, ironic ending is the heart of the poem.