The Tale of Melon City

By Vikram Seth

Vikram Seth is an acclaimed Indian author and poet, best known for his epic novel “A Suitable Boy”. He is celebrated for his versatility, having written across genres including poetry, fiction, and travel writing. His poem “A Tale of Melon City” is a satirical narrative set in a fictional kingdom where the king, following an absurd chain of events is replaced by a melon. The poem humorously critiques the irrationality of rulers and the blind acceptance of citizens, offering a witty commentary on the arbitrary nature of power and governance.

Q: Narrate “The Tale of Melon City” in your own words.

Ans. “The Tale of Melon City” is a humorous and satirical poem by Vikram Seth. The story is set in a fictional city ruled by a king who prides himself on being just and placid. One day, the king orders the construction of an arch to improve the aesthetics of his city. However, as he passes under the arch, his crown is knocked off by its low height, which angers him. He immediately demands that the architect be hanged for this mistake.

As the blame passes from the architect to the workmen, then to the mason, and eventually back to the architect, the king’s sense of justice gets increasingly absurd. Finally, a wise man advises that the culprit should be punished by hanging the first person who passes under the arch. Ironically, it turns out to be the king himself, who is then executed. Now, the ministers are left with the task of selecting a new ruler. They follow an old custom where they ask the first person who passes the city gate to choose the next king. The person who happens to pass by is a fool. When asked who should be the next king, the fool, in his simple-mindedness, replies that a melon should be the king. Taking his words literally, the minister crowns a melon as the new king of the city.

The decision is ironic and humorous because the citizens are indifferent to who rules them as long as they can live in peace without interference.

Q: What impression would you form of a state where the king was “just and placid”?

Ans. A state where the king is described as “just and placid” would appear to be one where fairness and calmness are valued. However, in “The Tale of Melon City,” this trait of the king leads to ridiculous consequences. The king’s adherence to a twisted sense of justice and his passive demeanor ultimately causes his own downfall. The story portrays a state where justice is taken to absurd extremes, and the placid nature of the ruler to a lack of true leadership, ultimately resulting in a bizarre and ineffective government.

Q: How, according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?

Ans. Peace and liberty in a state can be maintained through wise and rational governance. A ruler should balance justice with compassion and common sense, ensuring that laws are fair and applied consistently. The state should promote the well-being of its citizens, uphold individual freedoms, and encourage a participatory form of government where people have a voice in decision-making. In contrast, a state where decisions are made arbitrarily or for the sake of tradition, as seen in “The Tale of Melon City,” risks descending into chaos or absurdity.

Q: Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humor and irony.

• The King’s Sense of Justice: The king’s overzealous commitment to justice becomes humorous when he orders the hanging of various people in a chain of blame, ultimately leading to his own execution. The irony is that the king, who seeks to punish others for his misfortune, ends up being the one who pays the price.
• The Selection of the Next Ruler: The method of choosing the next ruler by asking who should be king and accepting the answer of a fool highlights the absurdity of the situation. The citizens crown a melon as their king, which is both ironic and humorous because it reflects their indifference to governance.
• The Placid Nature of the Citizens: The citizens’ acceptance of a melon as their ruler, simply because it does not interfere in their lives, is a satirical comment on their apathy and the absurdity of the political system.

Q: “The Tale of Melon City” has been narrated in verse form. This is a unique style that lends extra charm to an ancient tale. Find similar examples in your language. Share them in the class.

Verse narratives are common in many languages and cultures, often lending a lyrical and memorable quality to stories. In Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi literature, there are various examples of such narratives. An example from Urdu literature is “Masnavi of Rumi” which uses verse to convey moral and spiritual tales. In Hindi, the epic “Ramcharitmanas” by Tulsidas is a well-known example where the story of Lord Rama is narrated om a Poetic format. Whereas in Punjabi literature, “Heer Ranjha” by Waris Shah needs no introduction. It is a tale of love in poetic form.