The Tale of Custard the Dragon Introduction Ogden Nash's The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a delightful narrative poem that combines humor, whimsy, and a gentle moral lesson. Written in Nash's signature playful style, the poem tells the story of a group of characters—Belinda and her brave pets: a dog named Mustard, a kitten named Ink, and a mouse named Blink—who are proud of their courage. However, the titular character, Custard the dragon, is ridiculed for being timid and "cowardly." But as the story unfolds, Custard unexpectedly becomes the hero, showcasing his bravery when danger strikes. Theme The central theme of the poem is the true nature of courage and the importance of self-belief . Ogden Nash uses humor and irony to show that appearances can be deceiving, and those who seem timid or unremarkable may possess hidden strengths. Custard, the dragon, is initially mocked for his perceived cowardice, but when a real threat arises, he proves himself to...