Many years ago there lived an emperor who cared very much about his clothes. One day…
the emperor was approached by two swindlers claiming that they could make the finest suit from the most beautiful cloth. Many months and a small fortune later, the new clothes were ready. The king viewed the clothes and appeared startled—there was nothing at all to look at. The tailors convinced the emperor that this cloth was so fine only the wisest people could see it.
The emperor sent two of his trusted men to view his new clothes, and neither man admitted he could not see the cloth and so praised it. All the townspeople had also heard of the magnificent cloth. They were also interested to learn how wise or stupid their neighbors were.
The emperor dressed in his new clothes for a procession through the town. Of course, all the townspeople praised the magnificent clothes, afraid to admit that they could not see them at all.
Then, from inside the crowd came the small voice of a child: Look at the King! He is as naked as the day that he was born!
Soon everyone in the crowd was laughing and shouting that the emperor had nothing on. The emperor held his head high and continued with his procession.
Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875)
