CBSE Class 11 English: The Tale of Melon City NCERT Solutions

'The Tale of Melon City' unfolds like a classic folk tale, centered around a city ruled by a melon. The story begins with a fair and gentle king who orders the construction of an arch. During a ride, the king's crown is knocked off by the low arch, which he considers a disgrace. He orders the chief of builders to be hanged, but blame shifts through workmen, masons, and finally to the architect, who points out the king himself amended the original plan.

Seeking wisdom, the king consults a wise man. The arch is declared guilty and ordered to be hanged. However, a councillor objects, stating the arch only touched the king's head. As the people grow restless and demand a hanging, it's decided that the person whose head fits the noose should be hanged. Since only the king fits, he is hanged.

A new custom is then announced: the next person to pass the city gate will choose the new king. An idiot arrives and suggests 'A melon'. Consequently, a melon is crowned king, taken to the throne, and hailed as the Melon King.

A state ruled by a king described as 'just and placid' in this tale appears to be a place characterized by ignorance, whimsical governance, and a lack of true understanding. The king's actions, though perhaps intended to be just, are driven by a peculiar logic that leads to absurd outcomes, such as hanging an arch or a melon.

The citizens seem to be uneducated and easily swayed, needing 'mental and spiritual upliftment.' They are portrayed as fun-loving and prone to unrest if deprived of entertainment, suggesting a volatile populace. The ministers and councillors appear self-serving, offering advice that flatters the king rather than ensuring sound governance. This environment suggests a society that is backward, easily manipulated, and lacking in genuine progress or rational decision-making, despite the king's supposed placidity.

Maintaining peace and liberty in a state requires a balanced approach to governance, prioritizing the well-being of citizens. Effective administration, regardless of the system (dictatorship or democracy), is crucial. A strong state provides security against external threats, while enlightened citizens and efficient law enforcement agencies foster internal harmony.

It is essential to discourage divisions based on region, religion, or caste, as these can undermine internal security and fuel dissent. While freedom of expression should be encouraged, it must be balanced with respect for law and order. Citizens must be aware of their rights and responsibilities, understanding that privileges come with duties. This conscious participation and adherence to rules are fundamental to sustaining peace and liberty.

The poem 'The Tale of Melon City' is rich with instances of humor and irony:

• Humorous Incidents: The king's initial order to build an arch for 'edification' and his subsequent loss of crown under it is humorous. The way blame is passed from the chief builder to workmen, masons, and the architect, with each offering flimsy excuses, adds to the comedy. The architect's defense, blaming the king himself for amending the plan, is particularly witty.
• Ironic Justice: The selection of the 'wisest man' is ironic, especially since he is blind and advises hanging the arch. The subsequent decision to hang someone, and the king himself being hanged because he fits the noose, is a peak of dark humor and irony, highlighting the absurdity of the justice system.
• Absurd Succession: The method of choosing the next king – by the first person to pass the city gate – is highly ironic. The choice of a melon, suggested by an idiot, underscores the poem's satirical commentary on leadership and the populace's indifference. The final line, where people don't care if the king is a man or a melon, emphasizes this irony.

The king who ruled over the state was described as fair and gentle. He appeared concerned with the welfare and moral improvement of his subjects. To achieve this, he proclaimed that an arch should be constructed across the main thoroughfare, believing it would serve to 'edify' the spectators, meaning to improve their minds or character.

The king rode down the main thoroughfare with the specific intention to 'edify' the spectators, meaning to enlighten or improve them by his presence and the sight of the newly built arch. However, the result was that the arch had been built too low. As the king passed under it, his crown was knocked off. This incident caused a frown to appear on his usually mild face, and he declared it a disgrace.

The chief of builders was initially held responsible for the disgrace of the king losing his crown and was ordered to be hanged. The chief, however, reacted by shifting the blame onto the workmen. Subsequently, the king ordered all the workmen to be hanged. The workmen, in turn, expressed surprise but blamed the masons for using bricks of the wrong size. This chain of blame and the king's swift, unthinking orders to hang multiple people reveal his fickle-mindedness and the arbitrary nature of his rule.

The architect, when accused, advanced a clever argument in his self-defense. He stated that the fault lay not with his original design but with the king himself, as the king had made certain amendments to his original plan. This implied that the king was ultimately responsible for the arch being too low. The king, instead of refuting this logical point, seemed to accept it, as the blame eventually shifted towards the king's own actions or decisions, contributing to the chaotic and ironic progression of events.