Poetry | The Tale of Melon City (Snapshots)

The story is set in the kingdom of Meluha, where a king is accidentally killed by his royal umbrella. In a bizarre turn of events, the royal minister decides to crown the first thing that comes in front of him as the new king, which happens to be a melon. The melon is crowned and placed on the throne, and the kingdom is governed by the melon’s decrees, which are interpreted by the chief minister. The absurdity reaches its peak when the melon’s decision leads to chaos and tragedy, highlighting the dangers of blind obedience and the need for wise leadership.

Assignment and Activities for CBSE Class 11 English Chapter: The Tale of Melon City

• Role Play: Divide students into groups and ask them to enact key scenes from the story, highlighting the absurdity of the situation and the consequences of blind obedience.
• Character Analysis: Ask students to choose a character from the story and write a character sketch highlighting their traits, motivations, and impact on the plot.
• Discussion: Organize a group discussion on the theme of power and authority in the story, encouraging students to reflect on the lessons it teaches about leadership and governance.
• Creative Writing: Ask students to imagine an alternative ending to the story where the melon’s rule leads to a positive outcome. What changes would they make to the plot to achieve this?
• Comparative Study: Compare “The Tale of Melon City” with other satirical works that critique political systems or societal norms. What similarities and differences do students observe?
• Storyboard: Have students create a storyboard illustrating the key events of the story, paying attention to the symbolism and irony used by the author.
• Debate: Divide students into teams and have them debate whether the melon’s rule was beneficial or detrimental to the kingdom of Meluha, using evidence from the text to support their arguments.
• Essay Writing: Ask students to write an essay discussing the relevance of “The Tale of Melon City” in today’s world, particularly in the context of leadership and governance.
• Visual Representation: Encourage students to create a visual representation of the kingdom of Meluha, highlighting its unique features and the absurdity of the melon’s rule.
• Critical Analysis: Have students write a critical analysis of the story, focusing on its use of satire, irony, and symbolism to convey its message.

Conclusion : The Tale of Melon City

“The Tale of Melon City” is a satirical masterpiece that challenges traditional notions of power and authority. By using humor and irony, Vikram Seth highlights the dangers of blind obedience and the importance of wise leadership. The story serves as a timeless reminder of the need for critical thinking and ethical governance in society.