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Short summary of chapter the tale of the melon city |
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Answer» This poem by Vikram Seth is a humorous satire on people inpower. The poet has humorously presented the idea that it does not matter topeople who their ruler, king, or head of state is as long as he allows them tolive in peace, liberty and the principles of laissez faire.Once upon a time there was city named The Melon City. Therelived a placid and just king. He proclaimed an arch to be constructed acrossthe thoroughfare for the edification of people. The arch was built too low. Theking’s crown was knocked down when he passed from below it. The king becameangry and wanted to punish the chief builder by hanging them. The gallows wereset up.As the builder was brought for hanging, he fell on his kneespleading for mercy. He said it was the workmen’s fault that the arch had beenbuilt low. The king pardoned the builder and ordered the workmen to be hanged. Whenthe workmen were to be hanged, they pleaded to the king it was not their fault.They had been supplied the wrong size bricks. So, the masons were called whopassed the buck onto architect.Thus everyone passed the blame to someone else. In thismanner, architect was called to be hanged. With folded hands he reminded theking that the king himself had made amendments in the plan he had shown him.Now the king became very confused. He said he needed somecounsel on this very tricky matter as to who must be hanged. So he ordered thewisest man of his kingdom to be brought to him. In that kingdom wisest was hewho was the oldest in age. So a man who was on death bed was brought. He advisedthe king that it was the arch that was the culprit and it must be hanged. So ahuge gallows were set up for the hanging of the arch. Now, a councilor said thearch could not be hanged as it had become pure by touching the head of theking.By this time the crowd had become impatient and restless fora hanging. Fearing their subversion the king ordered immediate hanging ofanyone to pacify the crowd. So all who were present, were tried to fit in the highset noose. Only the king fitted perfectly. And according to his order he washanged.Now this city had a bizarre custom of electing the new king.Any one passing through the street the next day would elect the king. So whenthe guards, next morning asked the passer-by who must the king be of the city,he replied, “Melon”. This passer-by was an idiot whose staple answer to all thequestions put to him was “Melon”. So a melon was crowned as the king. Thenceforth the city came to be known as ‘Melon City’. This is the story the city people tell to those who ask them the reason behind the name of their city. Google it.... ? |
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