The Tale Of Melon City Class 11 English Snapshot

Key Points of the Story 

• It is a poem by Vikram Seth in which he mocks any government system. 
• These tails age-old customs or being proud of beliefs and traditions too simple. 
• Moreover, through the melon city, the poet represents any nation whose policies are on the basis of superstitions and old age beliefs. 
• However, the king in the poem is peace-loving, but soon we find out how hollow/ironic that claim is. 
• Further, the king wants to establish peace by eliminating anyone who committed a trifle of mistake. 
• And we can easily get this by his order of execution of innocent people. 
• By watching how criminals escape the law and also how people benefit from the nation’s policy.

Detailed Summary 

In a distant past, there was a city known as Melon City, ruled by a peaceful and just king. This king announced the construction of an arch across a street to enlighten the people. However, once the arch was completed, the king passed beneath it, and his crown fell off. This incident infuriated him, and he wanted to punish the chief builder for creating an arch that was too low, even to the extent of hanging them.Gallows were erected, and the soldiers brought the builder to face execution. The builder fell to his knees, begging for mercy and shifting the blame onto the workmen. The king, in a display of leniency, pardoned the builder but ordered the hanging of the workmen. When it was the workmen's turn to face the gallows, they pleaded with the king, placing the blame on the mason for providing the wrong-sized bricks.
The mason, in turn, blamed the architect. This cycle of passing blame continued, with everyone pointing fingers at someone else. Eventually, the architect shifted the responsibility to the king, claiming that the king had made modifications to the plan.
The situation became increasingly convoluted, and the king was left in a state of confusion. To resolve the matter, he sought the counsel of the wisest man in the kingdom, who was brought to him on his deathbed. The wise man advised the king to hang the arch itself, considering it the true culprit.
A large gallows was constructed to hang the arch, but some councillors argued against it, claiming that the arch had been purified by touching the king's head. The crowd grew impatient and restless, with the fear of a rebellion brewing. To appease the people, the king ordered the immediate execution of anyone to calm the crowd. In a desperate attempt, those present tried to fit themselves into the high-set noose, but only the king succeeded. Following his own command, the executioner hanged the king.
The city had a peculiar custom of selecting a new king. The custom dictated that the next person who passed through the streets would become the king. The following morning, when a guard asked a passer-by who should be the new king, the individual simply replied, "Melon." This passer-by was known for giving one-word responses, and the city crowned a melon as their new ruler. From that day forward, the city was known as "Melon City," and the locals shared this story as an explanation for the city's name when asked.

Conclusion 

Difficult Words

Word - Meaning

• just- justice-loving, fair and impartial,
• placid-calm, gentle, 
• proclaimed-made a public announcement, 
• arch-curved gateway, 
• triumphantly-successfully, victoriously, 
• span-cover, stretch from one side to another, 
• thoroughfare-public road, meant for common use, 
• edify-improve morally , 
• spectators-viewers, onlookers, 
• he-the King, 
• frown-displeasure,
• disgrace-insult, dishonour, 
• gallows-structure or platform on which the criminal was hanged,  
• fault-error, mistake, 
• called a halt-stopped, 
• proceedings-work, legal or royal action, 
• summon-sent for, call, 
• masons-those who build with bricks or stone, 
• quivering-trembling with fear, 
• architect-one who makes the plan of the building,
• ordain-order, 
• amendments-changes, improvements, 
• lost his head- was confused, 
• tricky-Intricate, 
• counsel-advice, consultation, 
• nay-no, 
• quavering-trembling, 
• culprit-wrongdoer, 
• banged-hit, struck, 
• scaffold-platform for execution, 
• mused-thought, 
• from uttering-mumbling, 
• perceived-noticed, 
• trembled-shook with fear, 
• consideration-discussion on, 
• guilt-fault, 
• immediately-without delay, 
• noose-sliding knot tied for hanging someone, 
• decree-order.
• unruly-restless, agitated, 
• pondered-considered, 
• dilemma-a difficult situation, 
• herald-announcer, 
• proclaim-announce, 
• enforced-carried out, acted upon, 
• due ceremony-proper grand way, with rituals, 
• idiot-brainless, 
• melon-a fruit, 
• reverently-respectfully.
• customary-usual, according to custom, 
• rejoice-feel happy. 
• OK-all right, 
• Laissez-faire-policy of giving freely without government control.