The Emperors New Clothes was written by Hans Christian Andersen and was published on April
7, 1837.
Two swindlers arrive at the capital city of an emperor who spends lavishly on clothing at the
expense of state matters. Posing as weavers, they offer to supply him with magnificent clothes
that are invisible to those who are stupid or incompetent. The emperor hires them, and they set
up looms and go to work. A succession of officials, and then the emperor himself, visit them to
check their progress. Each sees that the looms are empty but pretends otherwise to avoid being
thought a fool. Finally, the weavers report that the emperor's suit is finished. They mime dressing
him and he sets off in a procession before the whole city. The townsfolk uncomfortably go along
with the pretense, not wanting to appear inept or stupid, until a child blurts out that the emperor
is wearing nothing at all. The people then realize that everyone has been fooled. Although
startled, the emperor continues the procession, walking more proudly than ever.