Emperor's new clothes

A classic tale!

"The Emperor's New Clothes" is a famous fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen, first published in 1837. The story is about a king who is swindled by two weavers who promise him the finest, most magnificent clothes that are invisible to anyone who is unfit for their position or "hopelessly stupid".

The story goes like this:

The Emperor, who is known for his love of fine clothes, is approached by two swindlers who claim to be weavers from a far-off land. They tell him that they can make him the most magnificent clothes that are invisible to anyone who is unfit for their position or "hopelessly stupid". The Emperor, eager to show off his new clothes, agrees to pay them a large sum of money.

The weavers, however, are actually just ordinary men who are trying to scam the Emperor. They pretend to weave the clothes, but in reality, they are just pretending to work on an empty loom. The Emperor, not wanting to appear foolish, decides to wear the "clothes" to a grand procession through the city.

As the Emperor parades through the city, everyone can see that he is wearing nothing at all. But no one wants to be the first to point out the obvious, fearing that they will be seen as stupid or unfit for their position. Instead, they all pretend to see the magnificent clothes, saying things like "Oh, what a beautiful robe!" and "The Emperor's new clothes are truly magnificent!"

Finally, a small child in the crowd, who is not afraid to speak the truth, blurts out "But he isn't wearing anything at all!" The crowd gasps in shock, and the Emperor realizes that he has been swindled. The weavers are caught and punished, and the Emperor is left feeling embarrassed and foolish.

The story of "The Emperor's New Clothes" is often seen as a commentary on the dangers of groupthink and the importance of speaking truth to power. It also highlights the human tendency to conform to societal norms, even if it means going against our own values and principles.

The story has been retold and adapted in many ways over the years, including in films, plays, and even a famous opera by Benjamin Britten. It remains one of the most beloved and enduring fairy tales of all time.