NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter-8

Summary of ‘The Tale of Melon City’

‘The Tale of Melon City’ showcases the play of a folktale. In the theme, the city is called Melon City due to its ruler being a melon. Interestingly, there is a curious tale around it. Once,  there was a fair and gentle king who used to rule over Melon city who had an arch built across the thoroughfare. Sadly, when he passed under the low arch, it had stuck his head and he lost his crown. He considered the act to be a disgrace and ordered the builder’s chief to be hanged. The chief later passed the blame on the workers who later blamed it on the bricks, putting the charge on masons. The masons later shifted the blame on the architect that was further blamed at the king’s door. 

Upon seeking a wise man’s counsel, the king held the arch guilty and ordered it to be hanged. Now since the king's head would only fit the noose, he was hanged. Later it was said that the next man who passed the City Gate would choose the king. Later, a melon passed it and was thus crowned the ‘Melon King’.

Highlights of the Poem

‘The Tale of Melon City’ is a bag full of instances where the readers can see humour and irony. To begin with, the king’s decision to build an arch to ‘edify’ spectators. Another instance can be seen when the king rides under a low angle and loses his crown. Another instance is when every accused shifts their blame on others is also funny. Another instance is the unstable behaviour of the king that is followed by the self-defence of the architect. The architect turns the essence of the poem by laying the blame on the king. The king’s anger and inability also create humour. 

Irony can also be witnessed when it comes to the selection of a wise man where age is considered to be the number to judge one’s wisdom. Lastly, the poem ends with the same humour when the criteria for the next king is revealed.