Advertisements
Advertisements
प्रश्न
Narrate 'The Tale of Melon City' in your own words.
Advertisements
उत्तर
A model answer has been provided for students' reference.
It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own.
The Tale of Melon city is a narrative poem by Vikram Seth written in the couplet form. The poem is an account of an incident involving the monarch and citizens that took place in a city long ago. The tale is humorous with a very sharp focus on the thematic aspect. Structurally, the story has three parts-the first part mentions about a king's wish to build an arch. The second part relates his complaints regarding the faulty construction of the arch and the last part narrates how his decree ultimately falls on him leading to his hanging. The poem in a high tone of humour narrates the transition of power from the king to a melon which became a symbolic head.
In the beginning the poet narrates that there was a king in a city long ago. One day the king expressed his desire to construct an arch spanning the main thoroughfare to improve the onlookers morally and mentally. The king was just and peace loving. The construction work was soon undertaken by employing large number of labourers.
After the completion of the arch, the king went to inspect the newly constructed arch. The arch was very low. His crown struck against the arch and fell off. Feeling dishonoured, the king decided to hang the chief of builders. All arrangements were made for the hanging. The Chief of builders defended himself by shifting the responsibility to the labourers. Convinced by the argument, the king then ordered to hang all the labourers. The labourers shifted the responsibility to the size of the bricks. The king accordingly ordered the hanging of the masons. The masons in turn defended themselves and put all blame on the architect. The king ordered to hang the architect. The architect reminded the king that he (King) had made some amendments to the plan when it was shown to him. The architect indirectly put the blame on the king. The king was confused to hear the architect's argument. The king solicited the advice of the wisest man in his kingdom. Accordingly, the wisest man was found and brought to the court. He was so old that he could neither walk nor see. He gave the verdict that the arch was the real culprit. It was the arch that hit the crown violently and it fell off. So, the arch must be hanged. Accordingly, the arch was led to the scaffold. In the meantime, a councillor pointed out that it would be very shameful act to hang the arch that touched the king's crown.
The crowd which gathered there to witness the hanging of the culprit was getting restless. Sensing their mood, the king said that someone must be hanged since the nation wanted a hanging. The noose was set up. It was somewhat high. Each man was measured turn by turn. But there was only one man who was tall enough to fit in the noose, and it was the King. Interestingly, the king was hanged.
The poet then narrates the third part of the poem. In the concluding part the ministers heaved a sigh of relief that they were able to find someone, otherwise, the unruly crowd might have risen in revolt. After the death of the King, it was required to choose another king. As per the convention, the ministers sent out the herald to proclaim that the next to pass the City Gate would choose a king. An idiot happened to pass the City Gate. The guards asked him who was to be the King. The idiot answered that a melon should be chosen to be the next king. Actually that was his pet answer to all questions as he liked melons. The ministers crowned a melon and placed their Melon King reverently at the throne.
The poet narrates that the citizens were least bothered about their symbolic head. They enjoyed the principles of Laissez faire. They were very respectful to their new monarch as the new monarch did not interfere in their lives.
APPEARS IN
संबंधित प्रश्न
Attempt the following in 150-200 words.
What was the incident of the Frost King? How did it affect Helen?
Griffin failed not only as a son and a scientist, but also as a human being. Comment. (The Invisible Man)
Read the following passage and do the activities:
B1 Match:
Match the areas given in Column ‘A’ with the description of Mehendi design given in Column ‘B’:
| 'A' | 'B" | ||
| (i) | North African | (a) | A mix of Indo-Pakistani and Arabic design |
| (ii) | Indian | (b) | Delicate loops and curves, paisleys, teardrops |
| (iii) | Arabic | (c) | Geometrical images |
| (iv) | South Asian | (d) | Local textiles, paintings, and architecture |
Henna comes from the leaves of the plant Lawsonia inertias. The plant grows in hot and dry climes and is native to North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. The leaves of the plant are dried and crushed to powder. Various additives such as coffee decoction, tea, lime juice, Mehendi and eucalyptus oil are mixed with the henna powder to increase the potency of the dry, this also helps to bind the powder to a paste-like consistency. The mixture is applied through cones in intricate patterns depending on the region of use.
Album of Patterns
Four major styles can be found in the vast dictionary of Mehendi designs. Earlier the application was restricted to hand and feet, but the adoption of Mehendi by different cultures throughout the world has seen experimentation on different body parts including the neck naval and back.
North African patterns rely on geometrical images to trace the shape of hands and feet, Arabic designs borrow heavily from local textiles, paintings, and architecture. These are more spaced out, to allow the design to stand out boldly from the skin parts left untouched by henna. The Indian style comprises of delicate loops and curves, paisleys, teardrops and flowers that give a dainty filigreed glow-like effect. Though intricate patterning is the name of the game today, this trend took off in India only during the 20th century. The patterns preferred by the South Asian countries are mixed with Indo-Pakistani and Arabic design schemes. Chinese and Celtic symbols now find a place in the vast repertoire of Mehendi designs as well.
B2 Complete:
Complete the following and write:
(i) The procedure before applying henna _______
(ii) The reasons for using additives _______
(iii) The suitable climatic conditions for the henna plant _______
(iv) Mehendi is used on _______
B3 Find words:
Look at the following description and find out proper words from the passage and write:
(i) Existing naturally in the place : - n _______
(ii) Consist of something: - c _______
(iii) Delicate decoration made from gold, silver and copper wire: - f _______
(iv) Substance that is added in small quantity : - a _______
B4 Language study:
Fill in the blanks with suitable subordinators given in the box:
| as well as, so that, however, which |
(i) The mixture is applied through cones in intricate patterns _______ depend on the region of use.
(ii) The intricate pattern is the name of the game of today _______, this trend took off in India, recently.
(iii) North African pattern relies on geometrical images ______ they can trace the shape of hands and feet.
(iv) The patterns preferred by the South Asian countries are mixed with Indo-Pakistani _______ Arabic design schemes.
B5 Personal Response:
Which Mehendi design do you like? Why?
Briefly comment on:
Tsetan’s support to the author during the journey.
Read the following words :
Brigadier, Commander, capture, evicting, enemy, defense
All these words are related to war affairs and war.
Find more such words from the passage.
State whether the following statement is True or False. Correct the false statement by finding evidence from the poem to support your remark.
Birds and insects were benefitted from the tree.
'Uttarayana' starts from Makar Sankranti onwards.
Johnsy was hopeful that she will live.
Discuss in groups and share with one another.
Do you spend time admiring and thinking over the beauties of nature? Elaborate on your response.
Prepare an Acrostic from the word ‘Leisure’. The words should be related to what one likes to do in free time.
L______
E______
I______
S______
U______
Reading stories
E______
How do we help animals and birds?
Answer the following question in short.
On what condition did Tenali Raman agree to take up the challenge?
Draw a picture of the scene described in the poem.
The whole world is happy because children are going to school. Why is it so? Discuss it in the classroom.
What characteristics are needed to be a good player of Kabaddi? What should you do to develop each? Discuss this in groups of 5 and write a composition on it.
Read the poem aloud. Recite any stanza of your choice from memory.
“A Midsummer-Night’s Dream” is one of the best examples of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. Comment.
Shakespeare’s poetry has come to be valued for its own sake on the stage. Comment with reference to the play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’
Write the following in short:
The events at the court.
Visit a library:
Read other tales from Shakespeare, for example, Julius Caesar, As You Like It, Macbeth, and The Tempest.
List the various people and places mentioned in the passage. The places Milo visits and the people he meets have unusual names. Write the meanings of those names.
Put the following events in chronological order.
- The sword in the stone appeared in the churchyard.
- Lord Uther died.
- Lord Uther drove the barbarians away.
- The Lords and knights began to fight for the kingdom.
- Sir Kay left his sword behind at home.
- Merlin announced that Arthur was the son of Lord Uther.
- Arthur brought the sword from the churchyard.
- Ancient Britain was invaded by wild barbarians.
- Many knights tried to pull the sword out of the stone.
- Arthur grew up in Sir Ector’s house.
- Merlin entrusted a baby to Sir Ector.
Read the following sentence aloud. Write who said it and to whom.
“What! ... how ! ... That’s impossible! ”
Prepare similar word chains using the following ideas.
sunshine - warm ________________.
Turn the story into a play as a group activity and present the scenes in the classroom.
Answer the following question and write in short, why the parody sounds funny.
Is the bee a gentle creature? Is the crocodile gentle?
Answer in your own words.
What did Neel realise from his encounter with his ancestors?
How does the following character in the story live up to their name? Provide points from the story.
Tengumai Bopsulai
Correct the following sentence and rewrite it.
Papa Panov saw the sweeper, the young mother, and the beggars he had helped only once in the morning.
Describe the following with the help of the (The Twelve Months) story.
Springtime
Name the following.
Did not let the passes go waste.
List and say whether the following statement agrees with the passage or not.
If you don’t understand something, don’t let the others know about it.
What difficulties do the people in the play face in the morning?
What does the poet want to know from the lark?
Make a collection of Rangoli motifs and patterns.
Write about each motif or pattern in your own words -
it could just be a label or a description or some information or comment.
Why did Chulong catch the bird?
How is Karagattam performed?
When and where was the first ATM installed?
What kind of learning brings joy to you?
Why should we speak gently?
Write down the word that alliterate in the poetic line below
Festival of Flowers.
Which planet has red storm?
The boy and the girl were taken by the cavalry to explain their action.
Match the actions with the picture.
| mixes for community food service |  |
| sows the grain |  |
| feeds the birds |  |
Choose the odd one out.
What is your hobby?
Choose what the elephant did.
The old man put _____ on the mouth of the gourd.
Arrange the actions of Robinson by numbering from 1 to 10.
What does the man have?
What are things that we can save? Why should we save them?
Write a paragraph on the topic ‘Park’.
Try your own.
The king gave______ seeds.
The brush ______ to her will.
Is there something that you will struggle for? why?
Choose the right word.
Chintha Chettu is a tamarind ______.
Pick out word which mean the same as
stop doing something (para 1)
Write the compound words from the picture.
 |
 |
| ______ | |
Look up the following entries in the Language Study pages given at the end.
- stress
- intonation
- sound
- consonant
- vowel
