The Emperor's New Clothes
The Emperor Obsessed with Clothes
Once upon a time, there was an emperor. He was very rich, but he wasn't a good ruler. He was only interested in his new clothes.
The emperor used to wear a new outfit every day. People said he changed his clothes almost every hour. He used to spend all his money on having clothes made in new styles and designs.
The People's Opinion
— Hey, you're wearing new clothes today! — Tomorrow will you wear another new set of clothes? — No, no, I'm not the emperor to change my clothes so often.
— Yes, we have to take care of our families. We can't be as extravagant as the emperor. He cares the least about his kingdom, his people, and even his army. What a selfish man he is!
— He doesn't even have good taste in clothes. But he still expects us to admire him. Do we have a choice? If you don't like his clothes, your head will be cut off. — Yes, that's true.
The Swindlers and the Invisible Clothes
One morning, two swindlers arrived in the kingdom. They wove some clothes for the people of the kingdom. The people didn't understand what clothes they were wearing, but the swindlers praised them so much that they couldn't resist.
Especially since they said that only wise people could see their clothes.
— Where is my shirt? — Can't you see it? I'm holding it in my hands. — No, I can't see it. — Oh, no! I've met another fool. We are two of the best tailors in the world. Only wise people can see what we sew, not fools like you. Be wise and you'll be able to see your shirt. — Yes! Yes, it's beautiful!
The Tailors' Fame
Soon, they became so renowned that the emperor heard about them too. The emperor had heard so much about their flawless tailoring that he decided to buy some clothes woven by these tailors.
— Summon those tailors to the palace. I want you to weave some clothes for me. — We are honored to have this opportunity. We will weave the best and most beautiful clothes for Your Majesty. Everyone will be envious.
— But Your Majesty, our clothes have something special. — What is it? — Only those people who are fit for their job and are wise can see them, not the unfit or foolish.
The Emperor's Decision
The emperor thought to himself that this way he could find out which of his advisors was not fit for his job.
— We will need the finest silk fabrics and silk threads. Please give us a loom and a few days so we can prepare the most wonderful clothes Your Majesty has ever worn.
The Work Begins
The emperor gave them a lot of money and ordered all his servants not to disturb them while they were working. The swindlers put all their fabrics and silk threads in their backpacks, set up the loom in their room, and began to pretend to weave something.
All the emperor's courtiers were scared when they heard about the clothes.
— But you, can you see the clothes they wove? — I've heard about them, but I haven't seen them. If we can't see the emperor's clothes, we'll lose our jobs.
The Prime Minister's Visit
A few days passed, and the emperor called his prime minister and asked him to check how much the tailors had worked. The old man was scared at first, but he obeyed the emperor and went to the tailors' room.
As he walked towards their room, the prime minister thought:
— The emperor has gotten me into trouble! If I can't see the clothes, the emperor will fire me.
The prime minister entered the room and saw both tailors working at the loom, but he couldn't see any woven clothes. Both greeted the prime minister and showed him the designs they had made for the emperor.
In fact, there was nothing in their hands, but the prime minister had no choice but to admire them. He returned to the emperor.
— How did you find them? — Excellent, Your Majesty! What designs they have made for Your Highness! Wonderful!
The Courtiers' Visit
The emperor was pleased. After a few more days, he sent his two courtiers to check on what the tailors were doing. They entered the room. The tailors showed them the clothes and admired the artistry of the designs they had made on the fabrics.
— We have created the most beautiful designs for His Majesty. Please observe the precision of the work. It will look great on the emperor.
Both courtiers were confused as they couldn't see anything in the tailors' hands. They returned to the emperor puzzled.
The Emperor Asks for News
— Tell me, how are my new clothes? — Beautiful, Your Majesty! We have never seen such beautiful clothes in our lives. — They are the most wonderful clothes you will ever have, Your Majesty!
— Bravo! Ask them when they will be ready. I want to see the clothes before they take them off the loom.
The Emperor Inspects
The emperor entered the room where the tailors were weaving.
— Welcome, Your Majesty! Have you finished what you had to do? — Yes, Your Majesty! All the clothes are ready! Here they are!
Saying this, the tailors raised their hands in the air, as if holding the clothes. They explained the beauty of the new clothes they had made for the emperor. The emperor couldn't see anything. He thought for a moment.
— I can't see anything. Does this mean I am not fit for my position? Then I will lose my throne.
— Your Majesty, do you like the design we made on the purple cloak? Please take a look.
Almost Ready!
— Uh, yes. Yes, it's wonderful. I like it very much. I've never had such a beautiful cloak. — Thank you, Your Majesty! When will my new clothes be ready? I'm eager to wear them. — Only two days.
The City's Anticipation
The emperor gave them two more days and left the room. Some of the emperor's servants kept an eye on the tailors. They pretended to weave clothes without any thread in the needle. The emperor's servants remained puzzled.
News of the emperor's clothes spread throughout the city. All the city's inhabitants were eager to see the emperor's new clothes.
Wearing the Invisible Clothes
After two days, the emperor went to the tailors.
— Are my clothes ready? — Yes, Your Majesty! Here they are! You will be the most charming person in the world when you wear them. — Please, Your Majesty, take off your clothes.
The emperor undressed to put on the clothes offered by the tailors. After putting on those clothes, he turned to the mirror to see his outfit.
— Wow! You won't feel the weight of the clothes at all, because they are as light as a spider's web. Isn't that right, Your Majesty? — Uh, yes. Yes. It's amazing. You've done a good job, Mr. Minister. — Yes, Your Majesty.
The Parade
The two palace courtiers somehow lifted the emperor's train and followed him. Soon, a parade was arranged in the city. The emperor paraded in front of the crowd.
The Procession
All the citizens of the city looked at the emperor's new clothes, and everyone admired him. The emperor was pleased with the appreciation he received. When they reached the central square of the city, an innocent little boy looked at the emperor and shouted:
The Truth Spoken by a Child
— He's wearing nothing but his underwear! — Shut up! — Why, friend? He has the courage to tell the truth, and we don't. — Do you mean I don't have courage? If you do, then tell the truth. — The emperor is wearing nothing! He's naked!
The Crowd's Reaction
The emperor was shocked to hear such a thing, but to his surprise, soon everyone present there began to shout about the emperor's new clothes. He was ashamed, but he couldn't suddenly leave the parade.
All the courtiers had lied to him and praised his clothes. He no longer paid attention to the people shouting about his clothes. Instead, he walked proudly, so the two courtiers followed him. As the emperor passed, all the people there burst into laughter.
The moral of the story is that truth, however simple, can be spoken by anyone, even a child, and that arrogance and the fear of admitting a mistake can lead to ridiculous situations.
