Snapshots Chapter 8 – The Tale of Melon City
What type of story is this?
It’s a narrative poem written as a satire that mocks the justice system, blind rituals, and political absurdities in a fictional kingdom.
Who ruled Melon City?
A king who believed in justice and fairness, but ironically gets executed due to his own rigid laws.
What started the chaos in the kingdom?
An arch built to celebrate the king’s reign fell and injured him. The king ordered a trial to punish the guilty.
Who was initially blamed for the incident?
The chief of the builders was held responsible, but the blame kept shifting from one person to another.
How did the blame shift?
Each person blamed someone else—the architect, the workmen, the masons—creating a chain of accusations.
What was the king’s final verdict?
He declared that someone must be hanged, and ironically, he himself was declared guilty and executed.
How did the ministers react to the king’s death?
They followed protocol, announcing that the next ruler must be chosen according to tradition—by asking the first passer-by.
Who was chosen as the next king?
A fool who happened to pass by. When asked who should be king, he said “a melon,” so a melon was crowned.
Why did the fool choose a melon?
He associated peace with melons. The ministers, bound by custom, took his words seriously and crowned a melon.
What does the melon symbolize?
Absurdity, blind tradition, and meaningless adherence to rituals. It represents the foolishness in politics and society.
Why is the city called Melon City?
Because a melon became king. People accepted it as normal, reflecting how meaningless traditions can govern society.
What is the tone of the poem?
Satirical, humorous, and ironic—criticizing how justice and leadership can become laughable when logic is ignored.
What message does the poem convey?
That blindly following tradition and hollow rituals can lead to absurd outcomes, even in matters of justice and governance.
Why did no one protest the melon becoming king?
Because the citizens valued peace over logic. As long as they weren’t disturbed, they didn’t care who ruled.
What does the poem say about justice?
It criticizes blind justice—where procedures are followed without reason or wisdom, often harming the innocent.
What is ironic about the king’s death?
He demanded justice at any cost, and due to his own laws, ended up being executed by his people.
What is the poet’s view on monarchy?
Skeptical and mocking. The poem shows how monarchies often function on ritual and formality, not practicality or wisdom.
What literary devices are used in the poem?
Irony, satire, personification, rhyme, and exaggeration enhance the humor and message of political absurdity.
Why did the ministers not question the fool’s answer?
Because they strictly followed tradition, proving how mindless customs override rational thinking in governance.
What is the significance of the poem’s ending?
It reveals the ultimate satire: people live in “Melon City” happily under a fruit, symbolizing peace despite irrational politics.
How are the citizens portrayed?
Passive, conformist, and indifferent. They care more about peace and rituals than reason or justice.
What lesson does the poem give modern readers?
To question authority, traditions, and laws that lack logic—and not to accept absurdity in the name of peace.
What makes the poem humorous?
Its deadpan storytelling, exaggerated seriousness in ridiculous situations, and mockery of official procedures.
How is leadership criticized in the poem?
Leaders who don’t think critically or question customs can lead their kingdoms into foolish decisions and downfall.
What does the poet suggest about democracy?
That even in democracy, people often blindly follow, and decisions may lack logic if tradition dominates reason.
Why is the poem called a ‘tale’?
It mimics a fairy tale or folk story but uses satire to criticize real-life politics and justice systems.
What’s the tone of the narrator in the poem?
Detached and objective, which adds to the humor. The narrator never directly criticizes but lets the absurd events speak for themselves.
How does the poem reflect bureaucracy?
It mocks bureaucracy’s obsession with rules over outcomes—justice is done, but it makes no sense.
What happens to the original issue (the arch)?
It becomes irrelevant. The blame game and procedures become more important than solving the real problem.
What is the main takeaway of the poem?
Never let rituals and traditions override logic. A system without critical thinking becomes absurd and fails the people it serves.