CBSE Class 11 English Snapshots NCERT Solutions Chapter 8: The Tale of Melon City

Solution:

The story 'The Tale of Melon City' begins with a king who, despite being described as placid, decides to build an arch to adorn his city. Once the arch was constructed, the king rode under it. However, the arch was built too low, and as the king passed, his crown was knocked off. Taking this as a grave insult to his dignity, the king immediately ordered the chief of the builders to be hanged.

The chief, in turn, blamed the builders, who then shifted the responsibility to the architect, citing the bricks' size. The architect then reminded the king that he himself had approved some design modifications. Faced with this dilemma, the king summoned the wisest man in the kingdom. This elderly advisor suggested that since the arch was the cause of the disgrace, it should be hanged. This was initially agreed upon, but a minister objected to hanging an inanimate object. The king then reconsidered.

As the public demanded an immediate execution, the king decided that someone must be hanged. A decree was issued to measure everyone, and it was found that only the king was tall enough to fit the arch. Consequently, the king was hanged.

Following the king's execution, the people needed a new ruler. According to their tradition, they decided to crown the first person who happened to pass through the city gates. Unfortunately, the first person was a madman. When asked who should be the next king, he replied, 'melon,' as he was particularly fond of them. Thus, a melon was crowned and placed on the royal throne, marking the absurd end to the tale of Melon City.

Solution:

A state ruled by a king described as 'just and placid' might initially seem secure and peaceful. However, the story 'The Tale of Melon City' reveals that such descriptions can be misleading. The king in the narrative, despite being called placid, demonstrates a profound lack of sound judgment and decisiveness. His sense of justice is easily swayed by personal vanity, leading him to order a hanging for a minor incident like his crown falling off.

Furthermore, his indecisiveness is evident as he shifts blame from one person to another, ultimately leading to his own demise. A state governed by such a ruler would likely be unstable and prone to absurd decisions. True justice and effective governance require more than just a calm demeanor; they demand wisdom, consistency, and a genuine commitment to fairness, which this king clearly lacks. Therefore, the impression formed is that of a state lacking proper leadership, where decisions are arbitrary and the rule of law is undermined by the ruler's personal flaws.

Solution:

Maintaining peace and liberty in a state requires a multi-faceted approach that prioritizes the welfare and rights of its citizens. Based on the lessons from 'The Tale of Melon City,' here are some key ways:

1. Just and Fair Laws: Implementing and enforcing laws that are equitable and benefit the majority of the population is crucial. These laws should be consistent and applied impartially, without favouritism or arbitrary decisions based on the ruler's whims. While it's challenging to create laws that please everyone, the aim should be to serve the greater good.
2. Unity and Social Cohesion: Fostering a sense of unity and solidarity among the people is essential. When citizens feel connected and work together, they are more likely to uphold peace and protect each other's liberties. This can be achieved through education, cultural exchange, and promoting mutual respect.
3. Effective and Responsible Governance: Leaders must be wise, decisive, and accountable. They should make decisions based on reason and the common good, rather than personal ego or vanity. A government that listens to its people and acts in their best interest is more likely to maintain peace and liberty.
4. Rule of Law: Ensuring that everyone, including the rulers, is subject to the law is fundamental. This prevents arbitrary actions and protects citizens from oppression.

In essence, peace and liberty are best maintained when a state is governed by just laws, fosters unity among its people, and is led by responsible and accountable leaders.

Solution:

'The Tale of Melon City' is replete with instances of humor and irony, primarily stemming from the absurd situations and the characters' reactions. Here are a few notable examples:

1. The King's Order to Hang: The king's immediate and extreme reaction to his crown falling off—ordering a hanging—is darkly humorous. It highlights his vanity and the arbitrary nature of his justice.
2. Shifting Blame: The way the blame for the low arch is passed from the king to the chief builder, then to the builders, then to the architect, and finally back to the king himself is a comical illustration of incompetence and evasion of responsibility.
3. The Wisest Man's Suggestion: The suggestion by the 'wisest man' to hang the arch itself is hilariously absurd. It underscores the lack of real solutions and the desperation to satisfy the king's demand for an execution.
4. The King's Execution: The ultimate irony is that the king, after a convoluted process of blame-shifting, ends up being the one executed because he was the tallest person. This is a darkly humorous and ironic twist of fate.
5. The Melon King: The most prominent instance of absurdity and irony is the crowning of a melon as the new king. This signifies the complete collapse of sensible governance and highlights the ridiculousness of the state's traditions and leadership selection process. The fact that a madman's random utterance leads to the selection of the king is also highly ironic.

These instances collectively contribute to the story's satirical commentary on power, justice, and governance.