Now the name of the little black kitten was Ink, And the little gray mouse, she called her Blink, And the little yellow dog was sharp as Mustard, But the dragon was a coward, and she called him Custard.
Custard the dragon had big sharp teeth, And spikes on top of him and scales underneath, Mouth like a fireplace, chimney for a nose, And realio, trulio, daggers on his toes.
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears, And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs, Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage, But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful, Ink, Blink and Mustard, they rudely called him Percival, They all sat laughing in the little red wagon At the realio, trulio, cowardly dragon.
Belinda giggled till she shook the house, And Blink said Week! , which is giggling for a mouse, Ink and Mustard rudely asked his age, When Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Suddenly, suddenly they heard a nasty sound, And Mustard growled, and they all looked around. Meowch! cried Ink, and Ooh! cried Belinda, For there was a pirate, climbing in the winda.
Pistol in his left hand, pistol in his right, And he held in his teeth a cutlass bright, His beard was black, one leg was wood; It was clear that the pirate meant no good.
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.
Belinda embraced him, Mustard licked him, No one mourned for his pirate victim Ink and Blink in glee did gyrate Around the dragon that ate the pyrate.
But presently up spoke little dog Mustard,I'd been twice as brave if I hadn't been flustered.And up spoke Ink and up spoke Blink,We'd have been three times as brave, we think,And Custard said, I quite agreeThat everybody is braver than me.
Belinda still lives in her little white house, With her little black kitten and her little gray mouse, And her little yellow dog and her little red wagon, And her realio, trulio, little pet dragon.
Belinda is as brave as a barrel full of bears, And Ink and Blink chase lions down the stairs, Mustard is as brave as a tiger in a rage, But Custard keeps crying for a nice safe cage.
About the author
About the poet
Ogden Nash was an American poet known for his witty and humorous verse. He was born on August 19, 1902, in Rye, New York, and grew up in a wealthy family. His father was a successful businessman, and his mother was a socialite and amateur poet.
Nash attended Harvard University but dropped out after a year and a half. He worked various jobs, including advertising and editorial work, before he began writing poetry full-time.
Nash's first book of poetry, "Hard Lines," was published in 1931 and was an instant success. He went on to publish numerous other collections of poetry, including "I'm a Stranger Here Myself," "Good Intentions," and "Versus."
Nash's poetry is characterized by its clever wordplay, absurdity, and irreverent humor. He often wrote about everyday life and human foibles, and his poetry was popular with both adults and children.
In addition to his poetry, Nash wrote lyrics for musicals and films, including "One Touch of Venus" and "The Shining Hour." He also wrote essays and articles for various publications, including The New Yorker and Life magazine.
Nash was married twice and had two children. He died of complications from Crohn's disease on May 19, 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland. He is remembered as one of America's most beloved and humorous poets, whose unique style and humor continue to entertain and delight readers today.
Life of Ogden Nash
An ancestor, General Francis Nash, gave his name to Nashville, Tennessee.
Raised in Rye, New York and Savannah, Georgia. Educated at St. George's School in Rhode Island and, briefly, Harvard University.
Started work writing advertising copy for Doubleday, Page Publishing, New York, in 1925.
Published first book for children, The Cricket of Caradon in 1925.
First published poem Spring Comes to Murray Hill appears in New Yorker magazine in 1930.
Joins staff at New Yorker in 1932.
Married Frances Rider Leonard on June 6, 1933.
Published 19 books of poetry.
Collaborated, in 1943, in the musical comedy, One Touch of Venus
Elected to the National Institute of Arts and Letters in 1950.
Lived in New York but his principal home was in Baltimore, Maryland, where he died on May 19, 1971. He was buried in North Hampton, New Hampshire.