The Emperor's New Suit Page #2

"The Emperor's New Suit" is a classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. It involves a vain Emperor who cares too much about his clothing and appearance. Deceived by two swindlers who promise to make him an extravagant suit that's invisible to those unfit for their jobs or are "unpardonably stupid," his pride leads to a comical downfall. The story acts as a satire on vanity, pride, naïvety, and the fear of public opinion.

• Children

								

at himself in the glass from every side.

"How well they look! How well they fit!" said all. "What a
beautiful pattern! What fine colours! That is a magnificent suit of
clothes!"

The master of the ceremonies announced that the bearers of the
canopy, which was to be carried in the procession, were ready.

"I am ready," said the emperor. "Does not my suit fit me
marvellously?" Then he turned once more to the looking-glass, that
people should think he admired his garments.

The chamberlains, who were to carry the train, stretched their
hands to the ground as if they lifted up a train, and pretended to
hold something in their hands; they did not like people to know that
they could not see anything.

The emperor marched in the procession under the beautiful
canopy, and all who saw him in the street and out of the windows
exclaimed: "Indeed, the emperor's new suit is incomparable! What a
long train he has! How well it fits him!" Nobody wished to let
others know he saw nothing, for then he would have been unfit for
his office or too stupid. Never emperor's clothes were more admired.

"But he has nothing on at all," said a little child at last. "Good
heavens! listen to the voice of an innocent child," said the father,
and one whispered to the other what the child had said. "But he has
nothing on at all," cried at last the whole people. That made a deep
impression upon the emperor, for it seemed to him that they were
right; but he thought to himself, "Now I must bear up to the end." And
the chamberlains walked with still greater dignity, as if they carried
the train which did not exist.
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