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, with your partner, list some more such poetic devices used in the poem?

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

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

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

Thinking about Language. In the following sentences fill in the blanks to list the changes that have occurred in the above pairs of sentences. One has been done for you.

Thinking about Language. Look up the following phrases in a dictionary to find out their meaning, and then use each in a sentence of your own : (i) You may take it that (ii) He seems to be coming round (iii)My foot’s gone to sleep