Pranshu's English Classroom (CBSE)

  Background of the Poem "The Tale of Melon City" is a humorous and satirical narrative poem written by Vikram Seth. It presents a strange incident in a kingdom where an apparently simple matter develops into a series of absurd decisions. The poem makes fun of foolish rulers, meaningless traditions, injustice and the absurdity of the judicial system. Through humour and irony, the poet exposes the weaknesses of those who exercise authority without wisdom or responsibility.  Overview of the Poem (Only For Reading) The poem describes a kingdom ruled by a king who considers himself just and fair. One day, while passing under an arch, the king's crown falls off because the arch is too low. Angered by this incident, the king orders the chief builder to be hanged. However, the builder blames the workmen, the workmen blame the masons, and the blame ...