Short summary of chapter the tale …

This poem by Vikram Seth is a humorous satire on people in power. The poet has humorously presented the idea that it does not matter to people who their ruler, king, or head of state is as long as he allows them to live in peace, liberty and the principles of laissez faire. Once upon a time there was city named The Melon City. There lived a placid and just king. He proclaimed an arch to be constructed across the thoroughfare for the edification of people. The arch was built too low. The king’s crown was knocked down when he passed from below it. The king became angry and wanted to punish the chief builder by hanging them. The gallows were set up. As the builder was brought for hanging, he fell on his knees pleading for mercy. He said it was the workmen’s fault that the arch had been built low. The king pardoned the builder and ordered the workmen to be hanged. When the 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 who passed the buck onto architect. Thus everyone passed the blame to someone else. In this manner, architect was called to be hanged. With folded hands he reminded the king that the king himself had made amendments in the plan he had shown him. Now the king became very confused. He said he needed some counsel on this very tricky matter as to who must be hanged. So he ordered the wisest man of his kingdom to be brought to him. In that kingdom wisest was he who was the oldest in age. So a man who was on death bed was brought. He advised the king that it was the arch that was the culprit and it must be hanged. So a huge gallows were set up for the hanging of the arch. Now, a councilor said the arch could not be hanged as it had become pure by touching the head of the king. By this time the crowd had become impatient and restless for a hanging. Fearing their subversion the king ordered immediate hanging of anyone to pacify the crowd. So all who were present, were tried to fit in the high set noose. Only the king fitted perfectly. And according to his order he was hanged. 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 when the 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 the questions 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.

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