truth, through cowardice, through fear of
acting otherwise than 'all the world,' through
anxiety lest they should appear stupid. And the
story is eternally new and it never ends. It
has its grave side, but just because of its
endlessness it has also its humorous side."
When the absurd bubble of the grand procession
is punctured by the child, whose mental honesty
has not yet been spoiled by the pressure of
convention, the Emperor "held himself stiffer
than ever, and the chamberlains carried the
invisible train." For it would never do to hold
up the procession!

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

(Version by Alice Corbin Henderson)

Many years ago there lived an Emperor who thought so much of new clothes
that he spent all his money on them. He did not care for his soldiers;
he did not care to go to the theater. He liked to drive out in the park
only that he might show off his new clothes. He had a coat for every
hour of the day. They usually say of a king, "He is in the council
chamber." But of the Emperor they said, "He is in the clothes closet!"

It was a gay city in which the Emperor lived. And many strangers came to
visit it every day. Among these, one day, there came two rogues who set
themselves up as weavers. They said they knew how to weave the most
beautiful cloths imaginable. And not only were the colors and patterns
used remarkably beautiful, but clothes made from this cloth could not be
seen by any one who was unfit for the office he held or was too stupid
for any use.

"Those would be fine clothes!" thought the Emperor. "If I wore those I
could find out what men in my empire were not fit for the places they
held. I could tell the clever men from the dunces! I must have some
clothes woven for me at once!"

So he gave the two rogues a great deal of money that they might begin
their work at once.

The rogues immediately put up two looms and pretended to be working. But
there was nothing at all on their looms. They called for the finest
silks and the brightest gold, but this they put into their pockets. At
the empty looms they worked steadily until late into the night.

"I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my clothes,"
thought the Emperor.

But he felt a little uneasy when he thought that any one who was stupid
or was not fit for his office would be unable to