The Tale of Custard the Dragon Question Answer Chapter 9 Solved PDF

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

Answer:

The characters in the poem are:

• Belinda - a little girl
• Ink - her little black kitten
• Blink - her little grey mouse
• Mustard - her little yellow dog
• Custard - her little pet dragon
• The Pirate - the intruder

2. Why did Custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called a "cowardly dragon"?
Answer: Custard cried for a nice safe cage because he was afraid and wanted a safe place to live. He is called a "cowardly dragon" because the other characters considered themselves brave while Custard always asked for a safe cage.

3. "Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears." How brave was Belinda?
Answer: Belinda appeared to be very brave. She was described as being as brave as a barrel full of bears. However, when the pirate appeared, she became frightened and cried for help.

4. How did Belinda and her pets react when they saw the pirate?
Answer: Belinda cried for help. Ink and Blink hid themselves. Mustard ran away. Custard, however, faced the pirate and fought him.

5. What did the pirate do when he entered Belinda's house?
Answer: The pirate entered Belinda's house with a pistol in his left hand and a sword in his right hand. He threatened the people inside and behaved like a dangerous intruder.

6. Why did Custard attack the pirate?
Answer: Custard attacked the pirate because he wanted to protect Belinda and the other pets from the danger posed by the pirate.

7. What happened to the pirate?
Answer: Custard attacked and swallowed the pirate. Thus, the pirate was defeated by Custard.

8. Why did everyone claim that they were braver than Custard after the pirate was defeated?
Answer: After the pirate was defeated, Belinda and the other pets started claiming that they were braver than Custard. They tried to take credit for bravery even though Custard was the one who actually fought the pirate.

9. How does the poem show that appearances can be deceptive?
Answer: The poem shows that appearances can be deceptive because Custard looked like a coward and always wanted a safe cage. But when real danger came, he proved to be the bravest of all and defeated the pirate.

10. Why do you think the poet makes Custard the real hero of the poem?
Answer: Custard becomes the real hero because he acts bravely when there is actual danger. While the others only claimed to be brave, Custard faced the pirate and protected everyone.