The Tale of Melon City
By Vikram Seth
Q:
Narrate “The Tale of Melon City” in your own words.
“The
Tale of Melon City” is a humorous and satirical poem by Vikram Seth. The story
is set in a fictional city ruled by a king who prides himself on being just and
placid. One day, the king orders the construction of an arch to improve the aesthetics
of his city. However, as he passes under the arch, his crown is knocked off by
its low height, which angers him. He immediately demands that the architect be
hanged for this mistake.
As
the blame passes from the architect to the workmen, and then to the mason, and
eventually back to the architect, the king’s sense of justice gets increasingly
absurd. Finally, a wise man advises that the culprit should be punished by
hanging the first person who passes under the arch. Ironically, it turns out to
be the king himself, who is then executed. Now, the ministers are left with the
task of selecting a new ruler. They follow an old custom where they ask the first
person who passes the city gate to choose the next king. The person who happens
to pass by is a fool. When asked who should be the next king, the fool, in his
simple-mindedness, replies that a melon should be the king. Taking his words
literally, the minister crown a melon as the new king of the city.
The
decision is ironic and humorous because the citizens are indifferent to who
rules them as long as they can live in peace without interference.
Q:
What impression would you form of a state where the was “just and placid”?
A
state where the king is described as “just and placid” would appear to be one
where fairness and calmness are valued. However, in “The Tale of Melon City,”
this trait of the king leads to ridiculous consequences. The king’s adherence
to a twisted sense of justice and his passive demeanour ultimately causes his
own downfall. The story portrays a state where justice is taken to absurd
extremes, and the placid nature of the ruler to a lack of true leadership,
ultimately resulting in a bizarre and ineffective government.
Q:
How, according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?
Peace
and liberty in a state can be maintained through wise and rational governance. A
ruler should balance justice with compassion and common sense, ensuring that
laws are fair and applied consistently. The state should promote the well-being
of its citizens, uphold individual freedoms, and encourage a participatory form
of government where people have a voice in decision-making. In contrast, a state
where decisions are made arbitrarily or for the sake of tradition, as seen in “The
Tale of Melon City,” risks descending into chaos or absurdity.
Q:
Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humour and irony.
Ø The King’s
Sense of Justice: The king’s overzealous commitment to justice becomes humorous
when he orders the hanging of various people in chain of blame, ultimately
leading to his own execution. The irony is that the king, who seeks to punish
others for his misfortune, ends up being the one who pays the price.
Ø The
Selection of the Next Ruler: The method of choosing the next ruler-by asking
who should be king and accepting the answer of a fool-highlights the absurdity
of the situation. The citizens crown a melon as their king, which both ironic and
humorous because it reflects their indifference to governance.
Ø The
Placid Nature of the Citizens: The citizens’ acceptance of a melon as their
ruler, simply because it does not interfere in their lives, is a satirical
comment on their apathy and the absurdity of the political system.
Q:
“The Tale of Melon City” has been narrated in a verse form. This is a unique
style which lends extra charm to an ancient tale. Find similar examples in your
language. Share them in the class.
Verse
narratives are common in many languages and cultures, often lending a lyrical
and memorable quality to stories. In Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi literature, there
are various examples of such narratives. An example from Urdu literature is “Masnavi
of Rumi” which uses verse to convey moral and spiritual tales. In Hindi, the
epic “Ramcharitmanas” by Tulsidas is a well-known example where the story of Lord
Rama is narrated om a Poetic format. Whereas in Punjabi literature, “Heer
Ranjha” by Waris Shah needs no introduction. It is a tale of love in poetic
form.
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