Class 11 Exam  >  Class 11 Notes  >  English Class 11  >  NCERT Textbook - The Tale of Melon City

NCERT Textbook - The Tale of Melon City | English Class 11 PDF Download

Download, print and study this document offline
Please wait while the PDF view is loading
 Page 1


Snapshots 44
5 5 5 5 5
The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City
V V V V Vikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth
The following poem is taken from Mappings which was published in 1981
and is included in the Collected Poems by Vikram Seth.
The king, in this poem, is ‘just and placid.’ Does he carry his notion of
justice a bit too far?
(After Idries Shah)
In the city of which I sing
There was a just and placid King.
The King proclaimed an arch should be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the major thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
The workmen went and built the thing.
They did so since he was the King.
The King rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
2024-25
Page 2


Snapshots 44
5 5 5 5 5
The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City
V V V V Vikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth
The following poem is taken from Mappings which was published in 1981
and is included in the Collected Poems by Vikram Seth.
The king, in this poem, is ‘just and placid.’ Does he carry his notion of
justice a bit too far?
(After Idries Shah)
In the city of which I sing
There was a just and placid King.
The King proclaimed an arch should be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the major thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
The workmen went and built the thing.
They did so since he was the King.
The King rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
2024-25
The Tale of Melon City 45 The Tale of Melon City 45
Under the arch he lost his crown.
The arch was built too low. A frown
Appeared upon his placid face.
The King said, ‘This is a disgrace.
The chief of builders will be hanged. ’
The rope and gallows were arranged.
The chief of builders was led out.
He passed the King. He gave a shout,
‘O King, it was the workmen’ s fault’
‘Oh!’ said the King, and called a halt
2024-25
Page 3


Snapshots 44
5 5 5 5 5
The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City
V V V V Vikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth
The following poem is taken from Mappings which was published in 1981
and is included in the Collected Poems by Vikram Seth.
The king, in this poem, is ‘just and placid.’ Does he carry his notion of
justice a bit too far?
(After Idries Shah)
In the city of which I sing
There was a just and placid King.
The King proclaimed an arch should be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the major thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
The workmen went and built the thing.
They did so since he was the King.
The King rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
2024-25
The Tale of Melon City 45 The Tale of Melon City 45
Under the arch he lost his crown.
The arch was built too low. A frown
Appeared upon his placid face.
The King said, ‘This is a disgrace.
The chief of builders will be hanged. ’
The rope and gallows were arranged.
The chief of builders was led out.
He passed the King. He gave a shout,
‘O King, it was the workmen’ s fault’
‘Oh!’ said the King, and called a halt
2024-25
Snapshots 46
To the proceedings. Being just
(And placider now) he said, ‘I must
Have all the workmen hanged instead.’
The workmen looked surprised, and said,
‘O King, you do not realise
The bricks were made of the wrong size. ’
‘Summon the masons!’ said the King.
The masons stood there quivering.
‘It was the architect... ’, they said,
The architect was summoned.
‘Well, architect,’ said His Majesty .
‘I do ordain that you shall be
Hanged. ’ Said the architect, ‘O King,
Y ou have forgotten one small thing.
You made certain amendments to
The plans when I showed them to you.’
The King heard this. The King saw red.
In fact he nearly lost his head;
But being a just and placid King
He said, ‘This is a tricky thing.
I need some counsel. Bring to me
The wisest man in this country.’
The wisest man was found and brought,
Nay, carried, to the Royal Court.
2024-25
Page 4


Snapshots 44
5 5 5 5 5
The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City
V V V V Vikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth
The following poem is taken from Mappings which was published in 1981
and is included in the Collected Poems by Vikram Seth.
The king, in this poem, is ‘just and placid.’ Does he carry his notion of
justice a bit too far?
(After Idries Shah)
In the city of which I sing
There was a just and placid King.
The King proclaimed an arch should be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the major thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
The workmen went and built the thing.
They did so since he was the King.
The King rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
2024-25
The Tale of Melon City 45 The Tale of Melon City 45
Under the arch he lost his crown.
The arch was built too low. A frown
Appeared upon his placid face.
The King said, ‘This is a disgrace.
The chief of builders will be hanged. ’
The rope and gallows were arranged.
The chief of builders was led out.
He passed the King. He gave a shout,
‘O King, it was the workmen’ s fault’
‘Oh!’ said the King, and called a halt
2024-25
Snapshots 46
To the proceedings. Being just
(And placider now) he said, ‘I must
Have all the workmen hanged instead.’
The workmen looked surprised, and said,
‘O King, you do not realise
The bricks were made of the wrong size. ’
‘Summon the masons!’ said the King.
The masons stood there quivering.
‘It was the architect... ’, they said,
The architect was summoned.
‘Well, architect,’ said His Majesty .
‘I do ordain that you shall be
Hanged. ’ Said the architect, ‘O King,
Y ou have forgotten one small thing.
You made certain amendments to
The plans when I showed them to you.’
The King heard this. The King saw red.
In fact he nearly lost his head;
But being a just and placid King
He said, ‘This is a tricky thing.
I need some counsel. Bring to me
The wisest man in this country.’
The wisest man was found and brought,
Nay, carried, to the Royal Court.
2024-25
The Tale of Melon City 47 The Tale of Melon City 47
He could not walk and could not see,
So old (and therefore wise) was he —
But in a quavering
1
 voice he said,
‘The culprit must be punished.
Truly , the arch it was that banged
The crown off, and it must be hanged’.
To the scaffold
2
 the arch was led
When suddenly a Councillor said —
‘How can we hang so shamefully
What touched your head, Y our Majesty?’
‘True,’ mused the King. By now the crowd,
Restless, was muttering aloud.
The King perceived their mood and trembled
And said to all who were assembled —
‘Let us postpone consideration
Of finer points like guilt. The nation
Wants a hanging. Hanged must be
Someone, and that immediately . ’
The noose was set up somewhat high.
Each man was measured by and by .
But only one man was so tall
He fitted. One man. That was all.
He was the King. His Majesty
Was therefore hanged by Royal Decree.
1
  trembling
2
  platform for the execution of criminals
2024-25
Page 5


Snapshots 44
5 5 5 5 5
The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City The Tale of Melon City
V V V V Vikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth ikram Seth
The following poem is taken from Mappings which was published in 1981
and is included in the Collected Poems by Vikram Seth.
The king, in this poem, is ‘just and placid.’ Does he carry his notion of
justice a bit too far?
(After Idries Shah)
In the city of which I sing
There was a just and placid King.
The King proclaimed an arch should be
Constructed, that triumphally
Would span the major thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
The workmen went and built the thing.
They did so since he was the King.
The King rode down the thoroughfare
To edify spectators there.
2024-25
The Tale of Melon City 45 The Tale of Melon City 45
Under the arch he lost his crown.
The arch was built too low. A frown
Appeared upon his placid face.
The King said, ‘This is a disgrace.
The chief of builders will be hanged. ’
The rope and gallows were arranged.
The chief of builders was led out.
He passed the King. He gave a shout,
‘O King, it was the workmen’ s fault’
‘Oh!’ said the King, and called a halt
2024-25
Snapshots 46
To the proceedings. Being just
(And placider now) he said, ‘I must
Have all the workmen hanged instead.’
The workmen looked surprised, and said,
‘O King, you do not realise
The bricks were made of the wrong size. ’
‘Summon the masons!’ said the King.
The masons stood there quivering.
‘It was the architect... ’, they said,
The architect was summoned.
‘Well, architect,’ said His Majesty .
‘I do ordain that you shall be
Hanged. ’ Said the architect, ‘O King,
Y ou have forgotten one small thing.
You made certain amendments to
The plans when I showed them to you.’
The King heard this. The King saw red.
In fact he nearly lost his head;
But being a just and placid King
He said, ‘This is a tricky thing.
I need some counsel. Bring to me
The wisest man in this country.’
The wisest man was found and brought,
Nay, carried, to the Royal Court.
2024-25
The Tale of Melon City 47 The Tale of Melon City 47
He could not walk and could not see,
So old (and therefore wise) was he —
But in a quavering
1
 voice he said,
‘The culprit must be punished.
Truly , the arch it was that banged
The crown off, and it must be hanged’.
To the scaffold
2
 the arch was led
When suddenly a Councillor said —
‘How can we hang so shamefully
What touched your head, Y our Majesty?’
‘True,’ mused the King. By now the crowd,
Restless, was muttering aloud.
The King perceived their mood and trembled
And said to all who were assembled —
‘Let us postpone consideration
Of finer points like guilt. The nation
Wants a hanging. Hanged must be
Someone, and that immediately . ’
The noose was set up somewhat high.
Each man was measured by and by .
But only one man was so tall
He fitted. One man. That was all.
He was the King. His Majesty
Was therefore hanged by Royal Decree.
1
  trembling
2
  platform for the execution of criminals
2024-25
Snapshots 48
‘Thank Goodness we found someone,’ said
The Ministers, ‘for if instead
We had not, the unruly town
Might well have turned against the Crown. ’
‘Long live the King!’ the Ministers said.
‘Long live the King! The King is dead. ’
They pondered the dilemma; then,
Being practical-minded men,
Sent out the heralds to proclaim
(In His [former] Majesty’ s name):
‘The next to pass the City Gate
Will choose the ruler of our state,
As is our custom. This will be
Enforced with due ceremony . ’
A man passed by the City Gate.
An idiot. The guards cried, ‘Wait!
Who is to be the King? Decide!’
‘A melon,’ the idiot replied.
This was his standard answer to
All questions. (He liked melons.) ‘Y ou
Are now our King,’ the Ministers said,
Crowning a melon. Then they led
(Carried) the Melon to the throne
And reverently set it down.
* * *
2024-25
Read More
15 videos|231 docs|46 tests

Top Courses for Class 11

FAQs on NCERT Textbook - The Tale of Melon City - English Class 11

1. What is the summary of "The Tale of Melon City"?
Ans. "The Tale of Melon City" is a story from the NCERT textbook that narrates the humorous incidents that occur when a mistake in the proclamation of a new king leads to a series of comical events. It highlights the theme of bureaucracy and the absurdity of blind adherence to rules and regulations.
2. What is the main message conveyed in "The Tale of Melon City"?
Ans. The main message conveyed in "The Tale of Melon City" is the criticism of bureaucracy and blind adherence to rules. The story highlights how the rigid enforcement of regulations can lead to absurd and illogical outcomes, ultimately causing harm instead of benefit.
3. What are the characters in "The Tale of Melon City"?
Ans. The main characters in "The Tale of Melon City" are the king, the chief minister, the mahout, and the melon.
4. How does the mistake in the proclamation impact the story in "The Tale of Melon City"?
Ans. The mistake in the proclamation leads to a series of comical events in the story. Instead of proclaiming the king's arrival, the proclamation announces the arrival of the melon. This mistake creates confusion among the people, and they treat the melon as the king. The story humorously portrays the consequences of this mistaken identity and the chaos that ensues.
5. What is the significance of the ending in "The Tale of Melon City"?
Ans. The ending of "The Tale of Melon City" brings a satirical twist to the story. Despite the absurdity of the situation, the story concludes with the chief minister and the mahout being rewarded for their roles in the mistaken identity. This ending emphasizes the satirical criticism of bureaucracy, highlighting how even incompetence can be rewarded in certain systems.
15 videos|231 docs|46 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for Class 11 exam

Top Courses for Class 11

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

Important questions

,

NCERT Textbook - The Tale of Melon City | English Class 11

,

Exam

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Sample Paper

,

study material

,

video lectures

,

NCERT Textbook - The Tale of Melon City | English Class 11

,

Extra Questions

,

Objective type Questions

,

Viva Questions

,

MCQs

,

mock tests for examination

,

pdf

,

practice quizzes

,

NCERT Textbook - The Tale of Melon City | English Class 11

,

past year papers

,

Semester Notes

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

ppt

,

Free

,

Summary

;