Once upon a time there lived an Emperor who was into dressing fancy. He changed clothes all the time and showed them off.
Word of the Emperor’s habit spread over his kingdom. Two tailors who had heard of the Emperor’s vanity decided to try and make a sale. They introduced themselves at the palace.
“We are very good tailors and after many years of practice we have invented a method to make a cloth so fine that it looks invisible, actually it is invisible to anyone who is too dumb appreciate its quality”, The emperor gave the men a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promised suit, they began working on the fabric immediately.
The tailors begin working. The Emperor thought he made a good deal, in addition to getting a new fine suit, he would see which of his subjects were stupid. A few days later, he called the prime minister, who was considered by everyone as a smart man with good common sense. “Go and see how the work is going”, the Emperor said, “and let me know”.
The prime minister was welcomed by the two tailors, “We’re almost finished, here, your Excellency, see the colors and feel the softness!”. The old man bent over the loom and tried to see the fabric, but he could see nothing there. He felt cold sweat on his forehead. “I can’t see anything”, he thought. “If I see nothing, that means I’m too senile!”, If the prime minister admitted that he didn’t see anything, he would be fired.
“What a marvelous fabric”, he then said, “I’ll tell the Emperor”. The two tailors humbly smiled. After a few days, the Emperor received the announcement that the two tailors had come to take measurements for his new suit. “Come in”, said the Emperor as they bowed. the two tailors appeared to be holding large roll of fabric.
“Here, your Highness, the result of our hard labor”, the tailors said. “The most beautiful fabric is ready, feel how fine it is”. The Emperor did not see any thing and could not feel any cloth between his fingers. He panicked, luckily the throne was right next to him and he sat down. When he realized that no one could know that he did not see the fabric, he felt better. Nobody could find out he was to dumb to see the fabric, the Emperor was not aware that everybody else around him thought and did the same. The tailors took measurements and worked on the suit for few more days.
The Emperor was embarrassed to try on the suit but since no one in his entourage seemed to notice anything unusual, he felt relieved. “Yes, this is a beautiful suit and it looks very good on me” said the Emperor, “You’ve done a fine job”.
“Your Majesty”, said the prime minister, “The people have found out about this extraordinary fabric and they would like to see you in your new suit”. The Emperor was doubtful showing himself naked to the people, but then he abandoned his fears. After all, no one would know about it except the dumb and ignorant”. “All right”, he said. “I’ll grant the people this privilege” He summoned his carriage and the ceremonial parade was on the way. All the people had gathered in the main square, pushing and shoving to get a better look. Applause welcomed the procession. Everyone wanted to know how stupid his neighbor was but, as the Emperor passed, a strange murmur rose from the crowd.
Everyone said, loud enough for the others to hear: “Look at the Emperor’s new clothes. It’s beautiful!”
“The colors!, what a beautiful fabric!”, “I have never seen anything like it”, they all tried to conceal their disappointment at not being able to see the clothes.
One child, however, went up to the carriage.
“The Emperor is naked”, he cried.
“Fool!” his father panicked, running after the boy. “Don’t talk nonsense!” He grabbed his child angrily and took him away. “Silly little boy”, said a women who stood near by, “Shame one his father” said someone else, “A child need to learn respect toward the elders”. “He is only a little boy” said a gentle women with a warm and kind expression, “when he’ll grow up, he’ll understand”.
The procession continued, the Emperor stood proud on his carriage, the crowd applauded.
