NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English - The Tale of Melon City

Q1: Narrate ‘The Tale of Melon City’ in your own words.
Ans: Once upon a time in a kingdom ruled by a king, a mishap occurred when the king lost his crown because an arch was built too low. Outraged, the king demanded someone be held accountable and ordered the chief builder to be hanged. However, the chief builder blamed the workmen, who in turn blamed the wrong size of bricks. This blame game continued until it reached the architect, who pointed out the king's own changes to the plans.

The king, frustrated but trying to be fair, sought counsel from the wisest man in the land. The old man suggested hanging the arch itself, but this idea was dismissed when someone pointed out the absurdity of hanging something that touched the king's head. The crowd grew restless, demanding someone be hanged immediately.

In a desperate attempt to satisfy the people, the king himself was hanged as the only one tall enough to fit the noose. The ministers, relieved to have found a solution. The country's people then desired a new king. It was then announced that the next man who passed the City Gate would choose the king.  An idiot came.  He suggested ‘A melon’. So melon was crowned the king. He was taken to the throne. He was called melon king.

Years passed, and the people accepted their melon king, emphasizing the importance of peace and liberty over the identity of their ruler. The story serves as a satirical commentary on the absurdity of power struggles and governance.

Q2: What impression would you form of a state where the king was just and placid*?
Ans: In the context of the poem, where the king is described as just and placid, one might initially perceive the state as one governed by a ruler who values fairness and maintains a calm demeanor. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the king's qualities of justice and placidity are portrayed in a satirical light.

The king's attempts to assign blame for the mishap with the arch quickly descend into absurdity, as he becomes increasingly desperate to find a scapegoat. Despite his initial inclination towards fairness, the king ultimately resorts to drastic measures, including ordering his own hanging, to appease the restless crowd.

Therefore, while the king may be described as just and placid, the portrayal in the poem suggests a state characterized by ineffectual leadership and a lack of true justice. The satirical tone underscores the absurdity of governance based on superficial qualities rather than genuine competence and integrity.

Q3: How according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?
Ans: Various people advocate various means of maintaining peace and liberty in a state.
Some are in favour of dictatorship while others favour democracy. I think the best course lies in good governance. Whatever is well-administered is most fruitful for the citizens as well as the rulers. It ensures peace and liberty to the common man. A strong state, in itself, is safe against any external threat. Dedicated rulers, enlightened citizens and proper law enforcing agencies can establish peace and harmony in the state. Narrow considerations based on region, religion, caste etc. should be discouraged because these are potent threat to internal security as they fuel dissensions among the people. Free expression of opinions must be allowed but respect for law and order be observed. People should be conscious of their privileges and rights as well as duties and responsibilities. This is the only way to maintain peace and liberty.

Q4: Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humour and irony?
Ans: The poem is rich with humor and irony. Here are a few instances:

• Blame Game: The entire situation where everyone involved in the construction of the arch tries to shift the blame to someone else is inherently humorous. It becomes increasingly absurd as blame is passed from the builders to the workmen, then to the masons, and finally to the architect, highlighting the ridiculousness of the situation.

• The King's Hanging: The ultimate resolution of the king being hanged himself is a stark example of irony. Despite being the one who initially demanded justice, he ends up being the victim of his own decree. This twist is both unexpected and darkly humorous.

• The Idiot's Choice: When the passing idiot is asked to choose the next ruler and simply responds with "A melon," it's a moment of sheer absurdity. The ministers' decision to crown a melon as king adds to the surreal humor of the situation.

• Acceptance of the Melon King: The acceptance of the melon as the new ruler by the people, citing "customary choice," is ironic and humorous. It highlights the absurdity of blindly following tradition without questioning its logic.

• The People's Reaction: The people's reaction to the melon king, expressing contentment as long as they are left in "Peace and Liberty," is ironic. It emphasizes the idea that as long as their basic needs are met, they are willing to accept even the most unconventional ruler.

Q5: 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.
Ans: The following poem narrates the legend of an old lady who angered Saint Peter because of her greed. Let’s read it :
A Legend of the Northland
Away, away in the Northland,
Where the hours of the day are few,
And the nights are so long in winter
That they cannot sleep them through;

Where they harness the swift reindeer
To the sledges, when it snows;
And the children took like bear’s cubs
In their funny, furry clothes;

They tell them a curious story
I don’t believe ’tis true;
And yet you may learn a lesson
If I tell the tale to you.

Once, when the good Saint Peter ,
Lived in to world below,
And walked about it, preaching,
Just as he did, you know,

He came to the door of a cottage,
In travelling round to earth,
Where a little woman was making cakes.
And backing them on the hearth;

And being faint with fasting,
For. the day was almost done,
He asked her, from her store of cakes,
To give him a single one.

So she made a veiy little cake,
But as it baking lay,
She looked at it, and thought it seemed
Too large to give away.

Therefore she kneaded another,
And still a smaller one;i
But it looked, when she turned it over,
As large as the first had done.

Then she took a tiny scrap of dough,
And rolled and rolled it flat;
And baked it thin as a wafer
But she couldn’t part with that.

For she said, “My cakes that seem too small
When I eat of them myself
And yet too large to give away.”
So she put them on the shelf.

Then good Saint Peter grew angry,
For he was hungry and faint;
And surely such a woman
Was enough to provoke a saint.

And he said, “You are far too selfish
To dwell in a human form,
To have both food and shelter,
And fire to keep you warm.

Now, you shall build as the birds do,
Ans shall get your scanty food
By boring, and boring, and boring,
All day in the hard, dry wood.”

Then up she went through the chimney,
Never speaking a word, ‘
And out of the top few a woodpecker,
For she was changed to a bird.

She had a scarlet cap on the head,
And what was left the same;
But all the rest of her clothes were burned
Black as a coal in the flame.

And every country schoolboy
Has seen her in the wood,
Where she lives in the trees till this very day,
Boring and borings for food.