A LETTER TO GOD

A LETTER TO GOD 

SUMMARY

Lencho, a poor farmer, lived with his family on a low hill. His fields of ripe corn promised a good harvest, but he prayed for a little rain. The rain came, but soon turned into a hailstorm that destroyed the entire crop. The family was heartbroken. Lencho, however, had unshakeable faith in God and believed that God would help them.

He wrote a letter to God asking for 100 pesos to sow the field again and survive until the next harvest. The postman laughed on seeing the address, but the postmaster, touched by Lencho’s faith, decided to help. He and his colleagues collected money and managed 70 pesos, which they sent to Lencho in an envelope signed “God”.

When Lencho received the money, he wasn’t surprised—his faith was that deep. But when he counted it, he grew angry, convinced that some of the money was missing. He wrote another letter to God, asking for the rest of the money but requesting that it not be sent “through the mail”, as the post office employees were “a bunch of crooks”.

The story ends with gentle irony — Lencho’s innocent faith leads him to misjudge the kind people who actually helped him.

CHARACTER SKETCHES

Lencho

·         A simple, hardworking farmer.

·         Deeply devoted to his family and his land.

·         His faith in God is absolute and unquestioning.

·         Innocent and naive — he believes God can receive letters.

·         His honesty and trust make him admirable, though his suspicion of the post office adds irony to the story.

The Postmaster

·         Kind, generous, and compassionate.

·         Deeply moved by Lencho’s faith.

·         He collects money to help Lencho, wanting to preserve his belief in God.

·         Though anonymous in his kindness, he is ironically accused of theft.

Q. Who was Lencho?

ANSWER: Lencho was a poor but hard-working farmer who lived on the crest of a low hill. He was simple, honest, and had deep faith in God.

Q. What were Lencho’s fields like?

ANSWER: Lencho’s fields were full of ripe corn with flowers that promised a good harvest.

Q. What did Lencho hope for?

ANSWER: Lencho hoped for rain to ensure a good harvest.

Q. What did Lencho compare the raindrops to?

ANSWER: Lencho compared the raindrops to new coins — the big drops to ten-cent pieces and the small ones to five-cent pieces.

Q. What happened to Lencho’s crops after the hailstorm?

ANSWER: The hailstorm destroyed his entire crop. Not a leaf remained, and the field looked white, as if covered with salt.

Q. How did Lencho feel after the hailstorm?

ANSWER: After the hailstorm, Lencho was filled with sadness and hopelessness, thinking that his family would go hungry that year.

Q. What was Lencho’s only hope?

ANSWER: Lencho’s only hope was help from God.

Q. What did Lencho write in his letter to God?

ANSWER: Lencho, in his letter, requested God to send him 100 pesos to sow his fields again and survive until the next harvest.

Q. Who read Lencho’s letter?

ANSWER: The postmaster read Lencho’s letter.

Q. What did the postmaster do after reading the letter?

ANSWER: The postmaster was deeply moved by Lencho’s faith and decided to collect money to help him.

Q. How much money did Lencho receive?

ANSWER: Lencho received 70 pesos instead of 100.

Q. Why did Lencho become angry after opening the letter?

ANSWER: Lencho became angry after opening the letter because he thought God had sent the full amount, but the post office employees had stolen 30 pesos.

Q. What did Lencho write in his second letter to God?

ANSWER: In his second letter, Lencho asked God to send him the remaining 30 pesos but not through the post office, as he believed the employees were “a bunch of crooks”.

Q. Describe Lencho’s faith in God.

ANSWER: Lencho’s faith in God was firm and innocent. Even after losing everything in the hailstorm, he believed God would help him. He wrote directly to God, asking for money, and never doubted that the money he received came from Him. His faith was so strong that he even blamed the post office employees instead of doubting God.

Q. How did the postmaster and his employees help Lencho?

ANSWER: The postmaster collected money from his staff and friends and added part of his own salary. They managed to collect 70 pesos and sent it to Lencho, signing the letter as “God” to preserve his faith.

Q. What is the irony in the story?

ANSWER: The irony in the story lies in the fact that Lencho blamed the very people who helped him. He thought the post office employees had stolen part of the money sent by God, while they were the ones who collected and sent it.

Q. What lessons does the story teach us?

ANSWER: The story teaches us the value of faith, kindness, and charity. It also shows how blind faith can sometimes lead to misunderstanding, yet innocence and belief in goodness remain touching human qualities.

Q. Discuss the two conflicts in the story.

ANSWER: The story shows two conflicts:

·         Between humans and nature: Lencho’s crops are destroyed by a hailstorm.

·        Between humans themselves: Lencho’s distrust of the post office employees despite their good deed.

Q. Match the storms with their meanings:

·         Cyclone – A violent tropical storm with strong winds in a circle.

·         Gale – An extremely strong wind.

·         Typhoon – A violent tropical storm with very strong winds.

·         Tornado – A storm whose centre is a funnel-shaped cloud.

·         Hurricane – A violent storm in the western Atlantic Ocean.

·         Whirlwind – A strong spinning wind that causes damage.

Q. Find metaphors used in the story:

Object	Metaphor	Quality Compared
Clouds	Huge mountains	Their mass and size
Raindrops	New coins	Value and prosperity
Hailstones	Silver coins	Appearance and shape
Lencho	An ox of a man	Strength and hard work

Q. Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences tell you this?
ANSWER: Lencho had complete faith in God. The sentence, “There was a single hope: help from God”, shows this.

Q. Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’?
ANSWER: The postmaster was moved by Lencho’s faith and wanted to preserve it. He signed it as “God” so that Lencho’s belief would not be shaken.

Q. Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not?
ANSWER: No, he didn’t. He never doubted that the money came from God.

Q. Who does Lencho think has taken the rest of the money? What is the irony in this?
ANSWER: Lencho thought the post office employees took the rest of the money. The irony is that these same employees collected and sent him the money.

Q. Are there people like Lencho in the real world? What kind of person was he?
ANSWER: Yes, there are people like Lencho in the real world. They have such pure faith. Lencho was simple, innocent, and unquestioning in his belief.

Q. What are the two conflicts in the story?
ANSWER: The conflict between humans and nature (the hailstorm) and between humans themselves (Lencho’s mistrust of the helpers).

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Who is the author of “A Letter to God”?
a) G.L. Fuentes
b) William Wordsworth
c) R.K. Narayan
d) O. Henry
Answer: a) G.L. Fuentes

2. What was the only thing the earth needed?
a) Sunshine
b) Rain
c) Fertilizer
d) Insects
Answer: b) Rain

3. What did Lencho compare the raindrops to?
a) Pearls
b) Coins
c) Diamonds
d) Silver
Answer: b) Coins

4. What destroyed Lencho’s field?
a) Drought
b) Flood
c) Hailstorm
d) Locusts
Answer: c) Hailstorm

5. How much money did Lencho ask God for?
a) 50 pesos
b) 100 pesos
c) 70 pesos
d) 80 pesos
Answer: b) 100 pesos

6. Who read Lencho’s letter first?
a) The postmaster
b) The postman
c) The clerk
d) The mail carrier
Answer: b) The postman

7. Why did the postmaster collect money?
a) To mock Lencho
b) To help Lencho
c) To keep for himself
d) To send to his friend
Answer: b) To help Lencho

8. How much money did Lencho receive?
a) 50 pesos
b) 70 pesos
c) 90 pesos
d) 100 pesos
Answer: b) 70 pesos

9. What did Lencho call the post office employees?
a) Angels
b) Crooks
c) Kind men
d) Strangers
Answer: b) Crooks

10. What is the main theme of the story?
a) Faith and Innocence
b) Dishonesty
c) Greed
d) Anger
Answer: a) Faith and Innocence

Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 sentences)

Q. Where did Lencho live?
ANSWER: Lencho lived in a small house on the crest of a low hill in a valley.

Q. What were Lencho’s children doing while the rain started?
ANSWER: The older boys were working in the field; the smaller ones were playing near the house.

Q. How long did the hailstorm last?
ANSWER: It lasted for an hour.

Q. What did the field look like after the storm?
ANSWER: The field looked white, as if covered with salt.

Q. What did Lencho do on Sunday morning?
ANSWER: He wrote a letter to God asking for money.

Q. Who helped the postmaster collect money?
ANSWER: The post office employees and some of his friends helped the postmaster collect money.

Q. Why did Lencho not show surprise at receiving the money?
ANSWER: Lencho did not show surprise at receiving the money because he had complete faith that God would send it.

Q. What did Lencho request in his second letter?
ANSWER: Lencho asked God to send the remaining 30 pesos, but not through the post office.

Short Answer Questions

Q. How did Lencho’s family react to the hailstorm?
ANSWER: They were heartbroken. Lencho’s wife consoled everyone by saying no one dies of hunger, but they all worried about their future.

Q. How did the postmaster feel after helping Lencho?
ANSWER: The postmaster felt content and proud for performing a good deed by maintaining a man’s faith in God.

Q. What is the moral of the story?
ANSWER: The story teaches us to keep faith even in difficult times and to value kindness, but also to understand that blind faith can cause misunderstanding.

Q. Why did Lencho call the employees ‘a bunch of crooks’?
ANSWER: Lencho thought the post office employees had stolen part of the money sent by God, since he received only 70 pesos.

Q. How does the story show the conflict between man and nature?
ANSWER: Lencho’s crops were destroyed by the hailstorm, showing how nature’s fury can destroy human effort.

Long Answer Questions

Q. Describe the character of Lencho.
ANSWER: Lencho was a poor farmer but very hardworking. He had deep faith in God and believed that God helps those in need. His simplicity and innocence made him write a letter to God when the hail destroyed his crop. His faith was so pure that he didn’t suspect anyone except the post office workers when some money was missing.

Q. Explain how the postmaster’s actions show human kindness.
ANSWER: The postmaster was touched by Lencho’s faith. He didn’t want to disappoint him, so he collected money from his employees and contributed a part of his salary and sent it as God’s response. His act shows the goodness of human nature and the desire to preserve another’s belief.

Q. What is the irony in “A Letter to God”?
ANSWER: The irony lies in Lencho’s mistrust of the people who actually helped him. He called the post office employees “crooks,” while they were the ones who donated money for him. This creates an amusing yet meaningful contrast.

Q. Describe the ending of the story.
ANSWER: Lencho received 70 pesos and believed God had sent it. But he was angry because he didn’t get the full amount. Without realising that the post office staff had collected it for him, he accused them of stealing the rest. His innocence and faith make the ending both touching and ironic.

Extract-Based Questions

Extract 1:
“These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky; they are new coins.”

Questions:

1. Who said this?
2. What does the comparison show?
3. How did the rain later change?

Answers:

1. Lencho said this.
2. It shows his hope and joy, as rain meant prosperity.
3. The rain turned into a hailstorm that destroyed his crops.

Extract 2:
“God: Of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send me the rest... But don’t send it through the mail.”

Questions:

1. Why did Lencho think God had sent him money?
2. Why did he not want it sent by mail?
3. What does this show about Lencho?

Answers:

1. He believed God had heard his prayer and sent it.
2. He thought the post office employees had stolen 30 pesos.
3. It shows his deep but blind faith and innocence.

Extract 3:
“What faith! I wish I had the faith of the man who wrote this letter.”

Questions:

1. Who is the speaker?
2. What does this statement reveal about the postmaster?
3. What does he decide to do afterwards?

Answers:

1. The postmaster.
2. It shows his admiration for Lencho’s belief in God.
3. He decides to collect money and send it to Lencho in God’s name.

Themes and Moral Questions

Q. What is the main theme of the story?
ANSWER: The main theme of the story is faith in God, human goodness, and irony.

Q. What message does the story convey?
ANSWER: The story teaches that faith can move mountains, but blind faith without understanding may lead to misjudgment.

Q. How does the author use irony to create humour?
ANSWER: Lencho’s accusation of theft against those who helped him creates a humorous yet meaningful irony.

Q. How does Lencho’s faith affect others?
ANSWER: Lencho’s faith inspires the postmaster and his staff to do a selfless act of kindness.

EXTRACT-BASED MCQs

Extract 1

“The only thing the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower.”

1. What was Lencho hoping for?
a) Sunshine
b) Rain
c) Good seeds
d) Fertiliser
Answer: b) Rain

2. Why did Lencho want rain?
a) His crops were dying
b) He needed water for his animals
c) He liked rainy weather
d) He wanted to play with his children
Answer: a) His crops were dying

3. What was the effect of the rain at first?
a) It made Lencho happy
b) It flooded the field
c) It caused destruction
d) It damaged the house
Answer: a) It made Lencho happy

Extract 2

“These aren’t raindrops falling from the sky; they are new coins.”

1. What figure of speech is used here?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Personification
d) Irony
Answer: b) Metaphor

2. What does the comparison suggest about Lencho’s attitude?
a) He is greedy
b) He is thankful and hopeful
c) He dislikes rain
d) He is careless
Answer: b) He is thankful and hopeful

3. What happens shortly after this line?
a) The sun comes out
b) The rain turns into a hailstorm
c) Lencho goes to sleep
d) The postmaster appears
Answer: b) The rain turns into a hailstorm

Extract 3

“What faith! I wish I had the faith of the man who wrote this letter.”

1. Who is the speaker?
a) The postman
b) The postmaster
c) Lencho
d) One of the children
Answer: b) The postmaster

2. What does this statement reveal about him?
a) He is angry at Lencho
b) He is jealous of Lencho’s wealth
c) He admires Lencho’s belief
d) He plans to mock Lencho
Answer: c) He admires Lencho’s belief

3. What action does this statement lead to?
a) The postmaster writes a reply
b) The postmaster collects money
c) The postmaster tears the letter
d) The postmaster scolds the postman
Answer: b) The postmaster collects money

Extract 4

“God: Of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send me the rest, but don’t send it through the mail…”

1. Why did Lencho think only seventy pesos reached him?
a) He believed God had made a mistake
b) He thought the postal workers stole the rest
c) He didn’t count correctly
d) He dropped the money
Answer: b) He thought the postal workers stole the rest

2. What does this reveal about Lencho’s nature?
a) He is dishonest
b) He is innocent and trusting
c) He is clever
d) He is greedy
Answer: b) He is innocent and trusting

3. What is ironic about this extract?
a) The money came from thieves
b) Lencho accused the very people who helped him
c) God really sent the money
d) The letter never reached God
Answer: b) Lencho accused the very people who helped him

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THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON

THE TALE OF CUSTARD THE DRAGON

 

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

Answer: The characters are:

• Belinda – the little girl who owns the pets
• Ink – the little black kitten
• Blink – the little grey mouse
• Mustard – the little yellow dog
• Custard – the little pet dragon

 

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

Answer: Custard wanted a safe cage because he was timid and afraid of danger. Although dragons are usually fierce, Custard was scared of everything. That’s why everyone called him a cowardly dragon.

 

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

Answer: Belinda and her other pets made fun of Custard for being scared. They teased him and tickled him unmercifully to mock his fear and cowardice.

 

4. What poetic devices are used in the poem? Give examples.

Answer: The poem uses several poetic devices:

• Simile: “Clashed his tail like iron in a dungeon”
• Repetition: “Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound”
• Alliteration: “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears”
• Imagery: “Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose”
• Rhyme: “house / mouse”, “wagon / dragon”

 

5. How does the poet describe the dragon’s appearance?

Answer: Custard had big sharp teeth, spikes on his back, scales underneath, a mouth like a fireplace, a chimney for a nose, and daggers on his toes. He looked fierce and dangerous, though he was actually timid.

 

6. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?

Answer: The rhyme scheme throughout the poem is aabb, for example:

Belinda lived in a little white house (a)
With a little black kitten and a little grey mouse (a)
And a little yellow dog and a little red wagon (b)
And a realio, trulio, little pet dragon (b)

 

7. What images has the poet used in the poem?

Answer: The poet uses vivid images to create humour and contrast:

• The brave pets chasing lions down the stairs.
• Custard’s mouth “like a fireplace.”
• The pirate “with a pistol in each hand and a cutlass in his teeth.”
  These images help readers visualise the action and characters.

 

8. Why is the poem called a humorous ballad?

Answer: It’s called a humorous ballad because it tells a story in verse form with rhythm and rhyme but does so in a light-hearted, funny way. The irony that the so-called brave pets run away while the “cowardly” dragon saves everyone adds humour.

 

9. How does Custard prove that he is brave?

Answer: When a pirate breaks into the house, all the brave pets run away in fear, but Custard fights bravely. He attacks the pirate and eats him, saving Belinda and the others.

 

10. What happens after Custard kills the pirate?

Answer: Belinda hugs Custard, and Mustard licks him. Ink and Blink dance in joy. But soon, they again boast that they would have been braver if they hadn’t been scared.

 

11. What is the moral or message of the poem?

Answer: The poem teaches that true bravery is shown through actions, not words. Those who appear timid may turn out to be the real heroes when the time comes.

 

12. What is the tone and mood of the poem?

Answer: The tone is light, playful, and humorous. The mood shifts briefly to excitement during the pirate attack but remains comic and cheerful overall.

 

13. How does the poet create contrast in the poem?

Answer: The poet contrasts the appearance and behaviour of the pets. The ones who boast of bravery turn cowardly, while Custard, the one mocked for being afraid, acts courageously.

 

14. Why did everyone make fun of Custard?

Answer: Everyone laughed at Custard because he always cried for a safe cage instead of showing bravery like the others. They thought a dragon should be fearless, so they teased him.

 

15. What does “realio trulio” mean?

Answer: It is a playful, nonsensical phrase used by the poet for rhythm and fun. It adds to the humour and musical quality of the poem.

 

16. What does the pirate symbolise in the poem?

Answer: The pirate symbolises real danger or a test of courage. His arrival exposes the true nature of each character — showing that bravery is proven by action, not by talk.

      Q. Who wrote the poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”?

Answer: Ogden Nash.

Q. What kind of poem is “The Tale of Custard the Dragon”?
Answer: “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” is a humorous ballad.

Q. What is the name of Belinda’s kitten?
Answer: Ink.

Q. Who was Blink?
Answer: Belinda’s little grey mouse.

Q.      Who was Mustard?
Answer: Belinda’s yellow dog.

Q. What was the dragon’s name?
Answer: Custard.

Q. What did Custard always cry for?
Answer: A nice safe cage.

Q. Who lived with Belinda in her white house?
Answer: Ink, Blink, Mustard, and Custard.

Q. What did the pirate have in his hands?
Answer: A pistol in each hand.

Q. What did the pirate hold in his teeth?
Answer: A bright cutlass.

Q. What did Custard do when he saw the pirate?
Answer: Custard attacked and ate the pirate.

Q. What did Ink and Blink do when the pirate entered?
Answer: They ran away and hid.

Q. How did Belinda react when she saw the pirate?
Answer: She turned pale and cried for help.

Q. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Answer: aabb.

Q. What does “realio trulio” mean?
Answer: It’s a playful phrase used for rhyme and humour; it means “really and truly”.

Q. Why was Custard called a cowardly dragon?
Answer: Custard was called a cowardly dragon because he was afraid of everything and always wanted a safe cage instead of showing bravery.

Q. What does the poet say about Belinda’s bravery?
Answer: The poet says Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, showing she was bold and fearless.

Q. What is the irony in the poem?
Answer: The irony in the poem is that the so-called brave pets ran away in fear when the pirate came, while the cowardly dragon fought and saved everyone.

Q. What poetic devices does the poet use?
Answer: The poet uses simile, alliteration, repetition, rhyme, and imagery.

Q. How does the poet describe Custard’s physical appearance?
Answer: Custard had big sharp teeth, spikes, scales, a mouth like a fireplace, a chimney nose, and daggers on his toes.

Q. How did Custard prove his bravery?
Answer: Custard fought the pirate bravely and gobbled him up, saving Belinda and her pets.

Q. What lesson does the poem teach?
Answer: The poem teaches that true bravery is revealed through actions, not by boasting.

Q. Why did the others tease Custard?
Answer: The others teased because he appeared timid and wanted a safe cage, which seemed unfit for a dragon.

Q.      Describe the scene when the pirate entered Belinda’s house.
Answer: The pirate climbed through the window with pistols in both hands and a cutlass in his teeth. His beard was black and one leg was wooden. Belinda and her pets were terrified. Mustard fled, Ink and Blink hid, but Custard courageously attacked the pirate and ate him up.

Q.      How is the poem a parody of traditional heroic ballads?
Answer: Traditional ballads glorify brave heroes, but this poem humorously inverts that idea. The “brave” pets run away, while the “cowardly” dragon becomes the real hero. The poet uses humour and irony to make fun of false heroism.

Q. What happens after Custard kills the pirate?
Answer: Belinda hugs him, Mustard licks him, and Ink and Blink dance around in joy. But soon, the others start boasting again that they would have been braver if they hadn’t been scared. Custard remains humble and agrees with them.

Q. Describe the contrast between Custard and the other pets. What message does the poet convey through this contrast?
Answer: Belinda’s pets—Ink, Blink, and Mustard—always boasted of their bravery, while Custard cried for a safe cage. However, when real danger appeared, they all ran away, leaving only Custard to fight. The contrast shows that true courage lies in action, not in talk. The poet suggests that modest people can be the real heroes when the time comes.

Q. Discuss the theme of bravery and cowardice in the poem.
Answer: The poem humorously explores how people pretend to be brave until tested. Belinda’s pets think they are courageous, but they run away from danger. Custard, who seems cowardly, proves to be truly brave. The poet highlights that bravery is revealed in crisis, and appearances can be misleading.

Q.      How does Ogden Nash use humour and rhyme to make the poem entertaining?
Answer: Ogden Nash uses funny, musical rhymes like “wagon–dragon” and “house–mouse” and playful phrases like “realio trulio.” His description of the brave pets running away adds humour. The simple rhythm and repetition make the poem sound like a cheerful story-song, even while conveying a moral lesson.

Q. Explain how “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” teaches us not to judge others by appearance.

Answer: Everyone believed Custard was weak because he seemed scared, while the others appeared bold. But when danger came, Custard acted bravely and saved them all. The poem teaches that real strength lies within, and we should not judge someone’s courage based on their looks or behaviour.

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

Answer: The characters in the poem are:

• Belinda – the little girl
• Ink – the little black kitten
• Blink – the little grey mouse
• Mustard – the little yellow dog
• Custard – the little pet dragon

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

Answer: Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was afraid of everything and wanted to feel protected. He is called a “cowardly dragon” because, unlike usual fierce dragons, he showed fear and avoided danger.

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

Answer: Belinda and the other pets teased and mocked Custard for being scared. They tickled him unmercifully to make fun of his cowardice and to show that they thought he was weak.

Q. 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 list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?

Answer: Some poetic devices used in the poem are:

Poetic Device	Line from poem
Simile	“Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears”
Simile	“Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage”
Repetition	“Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound”
Alliteration	“Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth”
Imagery	“Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose”
Rhyme	“house/mouse, wagon/dragon”

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

Answer: The poet describes Custard as having big sharp teeth, spikes on his back, scales underneath, a mouth like a fireplace, a chimney for a nose, and daggers on his toes. He looks quite frightening from the outside.

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

Answer: The rhyme scheme of the poem is consistently aabb in all stanzas.

Example (Stanza 1):

• house (a)
• mouse (a)
• wagon (b)
• dragon (b)

Q. 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?

Answer: The poem uses many vivid images, such as:

• Custard having “realio trulio daggers on his toes”
• The pirate “climbing in the winda” with pistols and a cutlass
• Ink and Blink chasing lions down the stairs
• Custard snorting like an engine and clashing his tail is compared to irons in a dungeon

These help readers visualise the scene and actions clearly.

Q. Do you find The Tale of Custard the Dragon to be a serious or a light-hearted poem? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer: The poem is light-hearted and humorous.

Reasons:

• The characters behave in funny and exaggerated ways.
• The poet uses playful words like “realio trulio.”
• The brave pets run away from danger while the cowardly dragon becomes the hero, adding irony and comedy.
• The ending returns to humour when they again boast of bravery.

Q. 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.

Answer:  Yes, the song “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars tells a story of friendship and support. It describes how friends help each other in difficult times and stay united.

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