How did a melon come to be chosen King of the state

After the death of the king, they wanted a new king to rule them. The ministers decided that the first person who passes by the city gates will be asked who should be the king. So by that time a person passed by. So the ministers asked them, "Who should be crowned the king?" The person?replied "melon". And lo and behold the melon was crowned the king and the policy of laissez-faire?had been established there.