Summary

A quick revision recap of the poem.

• Poet & source: The Tale of Melon City by Vikram Seth, from Mappings (1981); a narrative poem "After Idries Shah," written in rhyming couplets.
• The set-up: A "just and placid" King orders a triumphal arch built across the main road; it is built too low and knocks off his crown as he rides beneath it.
• The chain of blame: The King orders the chief builder hanged → he blames the workmen → they blame the masons → the masons blame the architect → the architect reminds the King that he altered the plans.
• The wise man & the crowd: A blind, ancient "wisest man" rules that the arch must be hanged; a Councillor objects; the restless crowd simply "wants a hanging."
• The twist: A high noose is set; everyone is measured, and only the King himself is tall enough to fit — so he is "hanged by Royal Decree."
• The melon King: Following custom, the next man through the City Gate chooses the ruler; he is an idiot who always answers "a melon" — so a melon is crowned King. …