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Questions and Answers
What did the King proclaim should be constructed in the city?
What did the King proclaim should be constructed in the city?
What is the reason given by the people for the King appearing to be a melon in 'The Tale of Melon City'?
What is the reason given by the people for the King appearing to be a melon in 'The Tale of Melon City'?
How do the people in 'The Tale of Melon City' react to the King being a melon?
How do the people in 'The Tale of Melon City' react to the King being a melon?
What principle appears to be well-established in the state where the King is 'just and placid'?
What principle appears to be well-established in the state where the King is 'just and placid'?
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Which literary device is prominently used in 'The Tale of Melon City' to make the story humorous?
Which literary device is prominently used in 'The Tale of Melon City' to make the story humorous?
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What extra charm does the verse form bring to 'The Tale of Melon City' according to the text?
What extra charm does the verse form bring to 'The Tale of Melon City' according to the text?
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Why was the King hanged according to the text?
Why was the King hanged according to the text?
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What was the King's initial reaction when he learned about the issue with the bricks?
What was the King's initial reaction when he learned about the issue with the bricks?
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What did the guards ask the man who passed by the City Gate?
What did the guards ask the man who passed by the City Gate?
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Why were the masons quivering when they were summoned by the King?
Why were the masons quivering when they were summoned by the King?
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Why did the guards stop the man passing by the City Gate?
Why did the guards stop the man passing by the City Gate?
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What was the idiot's response when asked who should be King?
What was the idiot's response when asked who should be King?
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Why did the architect point out that the King had forgotten something?
Why did the architect point out that the King had forgotten something?
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How did the King's Ministers ensure the selection of the next ruler?
How did the King's Ministers ensure the selection of the next ruler?
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Who did the King request to bring to court for counsel?
Who did the King request to bring to court for counsel?
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What happened to the melon after being crowned as King?
What happened to the melon after being crowned as King?
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Why did the wisest man suggest that the arch should be hanged?
Why did the wisest man suggest that the arch should be hanged?
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Why did the Councillor object to hanging the arch?
Why did the Councillor object to hanging the arch?
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Study Notes
The Tale of Melon City
- The story is about a just and placid King who wants to build an arch to edify spectators in the city.
- The King orders the workmen to build the arch, but it is constructed too low, and the King loses his crown when riding underneath it.
- The King initially orders the workmen to be hanged, but then changes his mind and summons the masons, architect, and the wisest man in the country to investigate the matter.
The Investigation
- The workmen blame the masons, who blame the architect, who blames the King for making amendments to the original plans.
- The wisest man in the country is summoned and suggests that the arch should be punished, but the King realizes that the arch cannot be punished.
- The King becomes frustrated and decides to punish someone, so the tallest man is chosen to be hanged.
The Punishment
- However, the tallest man turns out to be the King himself, and he is hanged by Royal Decree.
- The Ministers are relieved that someone was punished, as they feared the unruly town would turn against the Crown.
The New King
- The Ministers send out heralds to proclaim that the next person to pass through the City Gate will become the new ruler of the state.
- An idiot passes through the gate and is asked to decide who should be the King; he responds that a melon should be the King.
- The Ministers crown a melon, and it becomes the new ruler of the state.
The City's Philosophy
- The people of the city seem to accept the melon as their ruler, saying that as long as the King (or melon) leaves them in peace and liberty, it is okay with them.
- The city appears to operate on the principles of laissez-faire, allowing the people to live as they choose as long as they are left in peace.
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Description
This quiz is based on the poem 'The Tale of Melon City' by Vikram Seth. The poem recounts a story of a just and placid King who commands the construction of an arch that leads to unforeseen consequences. Test your knowledge on this thought-provoking piece of literature.
