The Tale of Melon City Question Answer Chapter 5 Solved PDF

1. Narrate 'The Tale of Melon City' in your own words.

Answer: Once there was a king who was known as just and placid. He ordered an arch to be built across the main road so that it would impress the people. When the king rode under the arch, it was found to be too low and knocked his crown off. The angry king considered it a disgrace and ordered the chief builder to be hanged.

The chief builder blamed the workmen. The workmen blamed the masons because the bricks were of the wrong size. The masons blamed the architect. The architect then reminded the king that the king himself had changed the original plan.

The king called a wise man, who declared that the arch was guilty. The king ordered the arch to be hanged. When the people became restless because they wanted someone to be hanged, the king ordered that a person who fitted the noose should be hanged. Finally, only the king fitted the noose, so he himself was hanged.

After the king's death, the ministers followed the custom that the next person passing through the city gate would choose the new ruler. An idiot passed by and, when asked who should be king, answered "a melon" because he liked melons. The ministers made a melon the king.

Years later, the people were satisfied with the melon king because he allowed them to live in peace and liberty.

2. What impression would you form of a state where the King was 'just and placid'?
Answer: At first, a state ruled by a just and placid king would seem peaceful, fair and well-governed. However, in the poem the words are used ironically. The king keeps changing his decisions and shifts the blame from one person to another without properly investigating the matter. His idea of justice finally leads to his own death. The people also accept a melon as their king because of their custom. Thus, the state appears peaceful on the surface, but its system of justice and governance is actually absurd.

3. How, according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?
Answer: Peace and liberty can be maintained when the government is fair, responsible and accountable. Laws should be applied equally to everyone. The ruler should respect the rights and freedom of the people and should make decisions after proper investigation. People should also respect the law, understand their responsibilities and participate responsibly in the system of government.

4. Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humour and irony.

Answer: Some instances of humour and irony are:

• The king is called "just and placid", but he keeps changing his decision about whom to punish.
• The king orders the chief builder to be hanged, but the blame keeps shifting from the builder to the workmen, masons and architect.
• The architect finally points out that the king himself had changed the original plan.
• The wise man declares the arch itself guilty and suggests that it should be hanged.
• The king himself becomes the only person who fits the noose and is therefore hanged.
• After the king's death, an idiot chooses a melon as the new king.
• The ministers actually crown the melon and place it on the throne.
• The people are happy with the melon king because he leaves them in peace and liberty.

These situations create humour while also showing the irony and absurdity of the system of governance.

5. 'The Tale of Melon City' has been narrated in a verse form. This is a unique style which lends extra charm to an ancient tale. Find similar examples in your language. Share them in the class.

Answer: In Hindi, many traditional stories and folk tales have been narrated in verse form. Examples include "Alha", which is a famous folk ballad, and various traditional lokgeet and narrative poems that tell stories through rhythmic verses. Such works use rhythm and verse to make stories more interesting and easier to remember.

Note: This is a class-activity question. Students should share similar examples from their own language.