"The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a humorous ballad by Ogden Nash that tells the story of a cowardly pet dragon named Custard and his brave owners. The poem is a delightful blend of nonsense verse and satire, using exaggerated characters and comic situations to deliver a surprising twist: the supposed coward, Custard, proves to be the bravest of them all when a pirate attacks the house.
The poem introduces Belinda, a little girl who lives in a little white house with her pets: a black kitten named Ink, a grey mouse named Blink, a yellow dog named Mustard, and a cowardly dragon named Custard. While the other animals boast about their bravery, Custard is described as a cry-baby who always asks for a safe cage. The rhyme and rhythm of the poem make it entertaining and fun to read.
The climax of the poem comes when a pirate, described as 'in a clinking, clanking, clangling sort of thing', breaks into the house. While the others run away in terror, Custard the 'cowardly' dragon faces the pirate bravely, gobbles him up, and saves the day. The poem ends with a humorous return to normalcy, where the others once again boast about their bravery and Custard remains humble and mild.
Ogden Nash (1902-1971) was an American poet, celebrated for his humorous, witty, and light-hearted verse. He is known for his playful use of language, unexpected rhymes, and clever puns. His poems often satirise human behaviour and societal norms. "The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is one of his most beloved works for children, showcasing his signature blend of humour, imagination, and satire. Nash wrote many volumes of poetry, including "The Bad Parents' Garden of Verse" and "Everyone but Thee and Me".
The poem begins by introducing Belinda, a young girl living in a little white house. Her pets include Ink (a black kitten), Blink (a grey mouse), Mustard (a yellow dog), and Custard (a dragon). Each of these pets is described as brave in their own way — Ink and Blink laugh, Mustard is sharp as a mustard seed, and even Belinda is described as brave as a barrel full of bears.
Custard, however, is completely different. Although he is a dragon with sharp teeth, spikes, scales, and a fearsome appearance, Custard is a coward. He cries for a safe cage, drinks up all his milk, and cries for more. He is teased by the other animals who mock his timidity.
One day, a pirate appears at the door — described with 'pistols in his hands', a 'dagger in his teeth', and wearing a 'clinking, clanking, clangling' outfit. Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Belinda all run away in fear. Only Custard, the so-called coward, faces the pirate. He makes a noise and jumps at the pirate, gobbling him up completely — including the pirate's weapons.
After the danger passes, the others return and boast about their bravery. Ink says he was brave, Blink claims to have chased the pirate, Mustard says he was 'as flustered as a bee', but they all admit that Custard was the real hero. Custard, however, remains humble and mild, only asking for a safe cage, and continues to be the gentle, loving dragon he always was.
"Belinda lived in a little white house, / With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse, / And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon, / And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon."
The poet introduces Belinda and her pets, including a 'realio, trulio' dragon named Custard. The playful invented words set the comic tone.
"Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink, / And the little grey mouse, she called him Blink, / And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard, / But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard."
The pets are given names that describe them — Ink, Blink, Mustard — but Custard, the dragon, is a coward. The contrast is established.
"Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth, / And spikes on top of him and scales underneath, / Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose, / And realio, trulio daggers on his toes."
Despite his terrifying appearance, Custard is a coward who cries for a safe cage, drinks all his milk, and cries for more. His appearance and behaviour are comically contradictory.
"Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, / And Ink and Blink in lions and monkeys' squares, / But just as they were all falling into a snooze, / A pirate climbs in at the window."
The pirate, armed with pistols and a dagger, bursts in. Everyone runs away except Custard, who faces the pirate and gobbles him up in one gulp.
"Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him, / No one mourned for his pirate victim. / Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate / Around the dragon that ate the pirate."
After the victory, the others praise Custard but soon return to boasting about their own courage, while Custard remains mild and humble, asking only for a safe cage.
| Character | Description | Behaviour in Danger |
|---|---|---|
| Belinda | Brave little girl | Runs away from pirate |
| Ink | Black kitten | Runs away |
| Blink | Grey mouse | Runs away |
| Mustard | Yellow dog | Runs away, flustered |
| Custard | Dragon, looks fierce | Fights and defeats the pirate |
| Pirate | Villain | Gobbled up by Custard |
| Before the Pirate | During the Attack | After the Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Others boast of bravery | All run away | Others boast again |
| Custard cries for a cage | Custard fights bravely | Custard stays humble |
"The Tale of Custard the Dragon" is a wonderfully entertaining poem that combines humour, adventure, and a gentle moral. Ogden Nash creates unforgettable characters — the boastful Ink, Blink, and Mustard, and the supposedly cowardly Custard — and places them in a situation that flips every expectation. When the pirate attacks, it is the timid dragon who saves the day, while the self-proclaimed brave ones run for cover. The poem delightfully teaches us that courage is not measured by words or appearances but by actions, and that humility after victory is the truest mark of a hero.