'The Tale of Melon City' is a highly humorous and satirical narrative poem written by Vikram Seth (Class 11 English, Snapshots). Through absurd comedy, it mocks the foolishness of absolute rulers, the blind following of archaic laws, and how the public really doesn't care who rules them as long as they are left alone.
The poem is a brilliant political satire. It suggests that a foolish, reactive government that strictly follows mindless rules is far more dangerous than no government at all (represented by the peaceful, non-interfering Melon).
The poem is about a King who is proudly described as 'just and placid' (fair and calm). However, his actions quickly reveal he is actually foolish and incredibly easily influenced. He orders the construction of a grand triumphal arch spanning the main city street for his own glory. When he rides under the newly built arch, his crown hits the top and falls off. Furious at this 'disgrace', the King immediately orders the Chief of Builders to be hanged.
A ridiculous chain of passing the blame begins:
Realizing he is trapped by his own logic, the confused King calls for the 'wisest man in the country' (who is just the oldest man) to decide who should be hanged.
The old man croaks that the real culprit is the Arch itself because it knocked off the crown. The Arch is led to the scaffold, but a councillor points out it is shameful to hang something that touched the royal head. Meanwhile, the angry crowd demands to see someone hanged. To calm the mob, the King orders that whoever is tall enough to fit the noose (rope) will be hanged. Tragically (and hilariously), the only person in the entire city tall enough to perfectly fit the noose is the King himself. According to his own strict 'justice', the King is hanged.
With the King dead, the ministers follow an old custom: the first person to pass the city gates gets to choose the new King. An idiot passes by. When asked who should be King, the idiot replies 'A Melon' (because that is his standard answer to every question). The ministers respectfully place a Melon on the throne. The people are perfectly happy being ruled by a fruit, because the Melon never interferes in their daily lives.
Laissez-faire is a French economic/political term meaning 'let things take their own course, without interfering'. At the end of the poem, the citizens enjoy 'laissez-faire' because their King is a melon who does not bother them with silly laws or taxes.
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