The Emperor's New Clothes

There was once a very grand emperor who loved fine clothes. He spent almost all his time and a great deal of money on splendid new outfits.

The emperor wasn't very interested in governing the country, and only appeared in public to show off some new fashion.

One day, two swindlers arrived in the emperor's city and decided they would take advantage of his fondness for clothes.

"I have a plan," said one to the other, "that will make us rich in no time!" The palace guards had orders to admit all weavers and tailors, and the two strangers were soon talking to the emperor.

"We are weavers from a faraway country, where the most wonderful clothes in the world are worn. Our cloth has unbelievably beautiful colors and patterns," they told the emperor, who listened eagerly.

"This very fine cloth," they added slyly, "is invisible to anyone who is stupid or unsuited for his post.''

"How useful that would be!" the emperor said to himself. "I'd be able to tell the wise from the foolish, and find out who isn't fit for his post."

He then ordered his prime minister to give the men money, as well as sacks of silk and gold thread so that they could get started.

The two swindlers lost no time. They rented a big workshop and a loom, and settled in comfortably. Whenever anyone came by, they pretended to be hard at work.

Of course, they weren't really weaving at all. They hid a bit of the precious silk and gold thread each day, and spent their time eating and drinking.

Meanwhile, the emperor thought about how wonderful his new clothes were going to be.

"I wonder how those weavers are coming along with their work," he thought to himself. He was a little hesitant about going to see for himself, since the cloth had such magical qualities... not that he need worry!

"I know! I'll send my prime minister!" exclaimed the emperor. "He's not stupid, and he's certainly fit for his post, so the cloth won't be invisible to him."

The emperor summoned the prime minister and told him to bring a detailed report of the new cloth. The news about the weavers who were making the wonderful new cloth had spread throughout the city. The prime minister, who was indeed a wise man, decided it would be best to visit the weavers alone.

"Of course, I know I'm fit for my post, and not stupid, but it's best to be on the safe side." When he arrived, the swindlers were ready for him. Waving their arms grandly, they described the beautiful colors and patterns. One held up cloth that was finished; the other showed him the cloth still on the loom. But the poor prime minister couldn't see a thing!

"Is it possible I am really stupid?" he thought.

The prime minister returned to the emperor.

"Your majesty," he said solemnly, "I have never seen anything like it." Then he paused, at a loss for words.

"Well? What is it like?" asked the impatient emperor.

"Ah, your majesty... the colors are exquisite, like a beautiful sunset - blue, mauve, pink, and gold. And such intricate patterns - like a garden, with delicate flowers, graceful trees, and rushing streams. I can't believe how clever these weavers are!"

After a while, the swindlers asked the prime minister for more money.

The old man felt that something was wrong, but he was afraid to say that he couldn't see the cloth. He agreed to send them money and more thread.

The next day, the emperor's servants arrived at the workshop, bearing more sacks of gold and silk thread, as well as a chest filled with gold coins. The swindlers were delighted.

Soon the emperor grew impatient once more. This time he sent his most fashionable gentleman-in-waiting to see how the weavers were getting along.

The gentleman-in-waiting was shocked to see an empty loom. "Can I be stupid?" he thought. He lifted his eye-glass and pretended to study the cloth.

The gentleman-in-waiting returned to the palace. How could he tell the truth and reveal his stupidity? And so he, too, praised the beauties of the cloth and described all the wonderful details to the emperor. At last, the emperor decided to see the cloth for himself. The swindlers bowed low as they showed him the cloth and described its wonders.

The emperor couldn't believe his eyes. The cloth was invisible to him!

"Here, feel this, your majesty!" said one of the swindlers. "This cloth is as light as a feather."

"Hmm... er... yes, yes - very light. Magnificent stuff, absolutely magnificent," said the emperor. Soon, the weavers arrived at the palace for a fitting.

The emperor stood patiently in his underwear while they pretended to measure and fit the cloth. The courtiers oohed and aahed. "Marvellous!" said one. "Incredible!" cried another. "Your majesty, you must show the people your new clothes in the procession tomorrow!"

The next day, the swindlers helped the emperor dress. Carefully, they handed him his new clothes, and, just as carefully, he did his best to put them on.

"Is everything straight?" he asked, looking anxiously at himself in the mirror.

"Oh, yes, your majesty," they exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

The emperor paraded through the city. All the people cheered and exclaimed how fine the new clothes were, because they were afraid to be thought stupid. Suddenly, a little child cried out, "But he's not wearing any clothes!" Soon, everyone was laughing and saying loudly, "The emperor isn't wearing any clothes!"

The emperor heard them and felt deeply ashamed. "They're right," he thought. Still, he held his head higher than ever, resolving never to mention his true stupidity to anyone. As for the clever swindlers, they disappeared without a trace, taking with them a fortune in gold and fine thread.

The information and images on this page were adapted for on-line use from the book Once Upon a Time...Collection of Favorite Fairy Tales published by Tormont Publications