Here Be Dragons!

Belinda paled, and she cried, Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.

But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.

The pirate gaped at Belinda’s dragon,
And gulped some grog from his pocket flagon,
He fired two bullets but they didn’t hit,
And Custard gobbled him, every bit.

From 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' by Ogden Nash
Copyright Linell Nash Smith and Isabel Nash Eberstadt 

When it came to the crunch it turned out that Custard was not such a coward after all. Click here to read the whole of 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon.'

One of my favourite 'dragon' stories to read to my grandchildren in 'There's No Such Thing As A Dragon', by Jack Kent. Click here to listen to the story.

Click here to read more about dragons.

Click here to read more about the phrase 'Here be dragons'.

Click here to listen to Peter, Paul and Mary's rather sad tale of 'Puff the Magic Dragon'. 

Read Ogden Nash's poem again and then use these writing prompts:

• We shouldn't always judge by appearances. The poem initially portrays Custard as a coward, constantly asking for a safe cage, while Belinda and her other pets (Ink, Blink, and Mustard) are depicted as brave. However, this perception is challenged when danger arises. Write about how you think others judge your appearance and what, perhaps, you are concealing.
• True bravery can be unexpected. When the pirate attacks, Custard, not the other "brave" pets, confronts and defeats the pirate, saving everyone. This reveals that true courage can be found in those who are not outwardly boastful or aggressive. Write about an occasion when you, or someone else, has been unexpectedly brave.
  
• The poem also highlights the theme of self-confidence, suggesting that true strength comes from believing in oneself and one's abilities, even if others underestimate you. Write about a time when others have underestimated you.
  
• Write down all the reasons you could believe in yourself and your abilities.