The Tale of Melon City

The poem tells the story of a “just and placid” King who ordered a victory arch to be built. However, the arch was too low, knocking the King’s crown off as he rode under it. Angry, the King ordered the builders to be hanged.

A blame game ensued: the builders blamed the workmen, the workmen blamed the masons, and the masons blamed the architect. The architect reminded the King that he had amended the plans himself. The King, confused, called for the “wisest man” in the land. The old wise man advised that the arch itself was guilty and should be hanged.

As the arch was being led to the scaffold, a councillor argued that it was shameful to hang something that touched the King’s head. The crowd grew restless for a hanging. To appease them, the King ordered that anyone tall enough to fit the noose be hanged. Ironically, only the King was tall enough. He was hanged by his own decree.

Following custom, the next person to pass the City Gate would choose the new ruler. An idiot passed by and, loving melons, declared a “Melon” should be King. A melon was crowned. The people were happy because the Melon King did not interfere in their lives, allowing them complete liberty.

The description “just and placid” is used ironically.

• The King is actually foolish, fickle, and incompetent.
• He hides his lack of judgment behind a mask of fairness (“placidity”).
• A state with such a King is chaotic and dangerous. Justice is arbitrary—one moment he wants to hang the builders, the next the architect, and finally himself, just to please a mob. It is a “Banana Republic” (or rather, a “Melon City”).

The poem cynically suggests that peace comes when the ruler (the Melon) does absolutely nothing (Laissez-faire).

However, in reality, peace and liberty require:

• Rule of Law: Laws must be logical and apply to everyone equally, unlike the King’s arbitrary decrees.
• Enlightened Citizenry: The public shouldn’t be a bloodthirsty mob waiting for a hanging but should demand accountability.
• Strong Institutions: Governance shouldn’t depend on the whims of one person or the choice of an idiot at a gate.

The poem is a satire full of ironic situations:

• The Blame Game: The shifting of blame from builder $\to$ workmen $\to$ mason $\to$ architect $\to$ King is hilarious bureaucracy.
• The “Wise” Man: The man chosen as the wisest is simply the oldest. He is so old he cannot walk or see, and his advice (hanging the arch) is nonsensical.
• Hanging the Arch: The serious debate about whether an inanimate object can be hanged for “touching the King’s head” creates dark humor.
• The Climax: The ultimate irony is the King being the only one to fit the noose he set up for others, effectively executing himself to “save face.”
• The New King: The selection of a melon as King by an idiot, and the people’s respectful acceptance of it, mocks blind obedience to authority.

This style is called a Ballad (a narrative poem). It tells a story with a rhythm and rhyme scheme.

Similar Examples in Indian Context:

• Vikram and Betal: Many of these stories were originally oral folk tales often told in verse or rhythmic prose.
• The Tales of Tenali Raman or Birbal: While often prose, they share the same satirical court setting.
• Hindi Literature: ‘Andher Nagari Chaupat Raja’ (Dark City, Foolish King) by Bharatendu Harishchandra is a very similar satirical play about a foolish king and a chaotic state.