The Tale of Melon City Summary in English. Vikram Seth, through this poem, satire on people in power. He has amusingly presented the idea that it does not matter to people who king, ruler or head of state is with the understanding that he let them live in peace, liberty, and leniently. The city is called Melon City because its ruler is a melon. There is a curious tale around it. Once a fair and gentle king ruled over a state. He got an arch built across the thoroughfare. So ultimately, the king set aside consideration of guilt and looked for a man who would fit the high noose. The only one tall enough was the king who finally was hanged. It was just as well that this happened as the public might have rebelled against him.