The Tale of Melon City Class 11 Chapter-5 Book-Snapshot Theory Notes
Team Eklavya
मार्च 11, 2025
1. Main Theme of the Poem:
- Satire on foolish governance – The poem mocks illogical rulers and justice systems.
- Irony and Absurdity – Decisions are made without logic, leading to a melon becoming King.
- Public Indifference – The people do not care who rules them as long as they have peace and freedom.
2. Key Events in Simple Steps:
- The King orders an arch to be built to beautify the city.
- The arch is built too low, and when the King passes under it, his crown falls off.
- The King becomes angry and orders the Chief of Builders to be hanged.
- Chief of Builders → Workmen → Masons → Architect → King himself.
- The King consults the wisest man, who absurdly suggests hanging the arch.
- A Councillor objects, saying the arch touched the King’s head.
- The restless crowd demands a hanging, so the King orders an execution immediately.
- The King is the only one tall enough for the noose and is hanged by royal decree.
- The Ministers must choose a new King. By tradition, the first person to pass the City Gate must decide.
- An idiot passes by and, when asked, randomly says "melon".
- A melon is crowned as the new King and placed on the throne.
- The people are happy, saying:
- "If the King wants to be a melon, that’s fine as long as we have peace and liberty."
3. Important Characters:
- The King – Foolish ruler who blindly follows laws and is eventually hanged by his own decree.
- The Ministers – Care more about keeping order than choosing a good ruler.
- The Wisest Man – Suggests the absurd idea of punishing the arch.
- The Idiot – Randomly chooses a melon as King, showing irrational decision-making.
- The Melon – Becomes the King, and people accept it without question.
4. Important Messages and Lessons:
- Foolish leadership leads to chaos.
- Decisions should be made logically, not blindly.
- People often accept rulers without questioning their authority.
- The absurdity of traditions and customs in governance.
- Satire on monarchy and democracy – Rulers are sometimes chosen without reason.
5. Ending Interpretation:
- The people do not care who rules them as long as they are left alone.
- They accept a melon as King, symbolizing their blind acceptance of authority.
- The poem ends with a satirical note on "laissez-faire" (non-interference in governance).