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CCSS
R.1, R.2, R.3, R.4, R.7, W.1, SL.1, SL.2, L.4, L.6
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Have you ever had that nightmare where you show up to school without clothes? This story takes that nightmare to a whole new level!
Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen
Art by Carolyn Ridsdale
photo credit: Viktoria Hnatiuk/Shutterstock
photo credit: Wellnhofer Designs/Shutterstock
photo credit: fizkes/Shutterstock
photo credit: fizkes/Shutterstock
As You Read: Think about what the Emperor learns from the Royal Aide.
SCENE 1
The Palace
N1: A group of nobles are chatting. Suddenly, a trumpet blares. The room goes quiet.
N2: The Emperor enters. He is wearing a yellow robe covered in jewels.
N3: The nobles bow down to their leader.
Emperor: How do I look?
All (clapping): Ooh . . . aah . . . ooh . . . aah!
N1: The Emperor sees himself in a mirror and smiles.
Noble 1 (whispering): The Emperor sure loves his fancy clothes.
Noble 2 (whispering): Well, nothing matters more to him than how he looks.
Noble 3 (whispering): It’s true. He’s very
Royal Aide (to himself): I worry that could get him into trouble . . .
Art by Carolyn Ridsdale
The Emperor: Why won't anyone tell him the truth?
SCENE 2
The Palace Gate
N2: Off to the side, two people speak quietly.
Tailor 1: I hear the Emperor spends a fortune on clothing.
Tailor 2: I’m told he spends more time getting dressed than he does ruling the kingdom.
Tailor 1: If he cares that much about his looks, he’ll be easy to trick. We’ll be rich!
N3: The tailors go up to the palace gate.
Guard: Stop! What do you want?
Tailor 2: We are tailors. We have come to offer our services to the Emperor.
Tailor 1: We make the most incredible clothes.
Tailor 2: The fabric is very special. It can’t be seen by those who are fools!
Tailor 1: Your Emperor will want to know about this.
Guard: Wait here.
N1: The guard goes inside to tell the Royal Aide.
SCENE 3
The Throne Room
N2: The Royal Aide enters.
N3: The Emperor is admiring a painting of himself.
Royal Aide: Your Majesty, there are two tailors outside. They say they make clothes that fools cannot see.
Emperor: Bring them in!
Royal Aide: Clearly, it’s nonsense.
Emperor (annoyed): Why don’t you trust them?
Royal Aide: I am being
Emperor: Well, I need a new outfit for my royal parade. Their clothes sound perfect.
Royal Aide: But . . .
Emperor: Bring me the tailors at once!
SCENE 4
The Emperor’s Bedroom
N1: The tailors measure the Emperor.
Tailor 1: His arm is 16 inches.
Tailor 2: Leg is 40 inches.
Tailor 1: We’ll need many yards of our special cloth for the suit and robe.
Tailor 2: It’s going to cost at least three sacks of gold.
Royal Aide: Three sacks of gold? That’s enough to buy two castles!
Emperor: I could use another castle . . .
Tailor 1: Ah, but these new clothes will make everyone admire you!
Tailor 2: And if people cannot see your outfit, you will know they are fools.
Tailor 1: Just think, you will be the first person to have clothes like these.
Tailor 2: We’ve offered this special clothing only to you.
Emperor: That settles it. Royal Aide, pay these tailors whatever they ask.
N2: The tailors give each other a sneaky smile.
Emperor: Now I will be remembered as the best-dressed emperor ever!
Royal Aide: Your Majesty, I fear that you will be remembered as a fool.
Tailors 1 and 2: Gasp!
Emperor: How dare you insult me!
Royal Aide: Can’t you see what is happening?
Emperor: Get out!
Art by Carolyn Ridsdale
The Tailors: Why do they get away with their trick?
SCENE 5
The Emperor’s Bedroom (the next day)
N3: The tailors spend all night in the sewing room.
N1: Then they rush in with their arms stretched out in front of them.
N2: They’re carrying imaginary clothes.
Tailors 1 and 2: We’re here! We’re here!
N3: The Emperor looks around, confused.
Emperor: Where are my clothes?
Tailor 1: You can’t see them? We’re holding them up.
N1: The Emperor nearly faints. He has a scared look on his face.
Emperor (to himself): I see nothing. But I can’t say that!
Tailor 2: Do you like them?
N2: The Emperor quickly smiles and nods.
Emperor: Of course I do! You are true artists!
Tailor 1: Put them on. The cloth is so lightweight, you will barely feel it.
N3: The Emperor undresses. The tailors hold out imaginary pants for him to step into.
N1: They dress him in an imaginary jacket. They put an imaginary robe over his shoulders.
Royal Dresser: A perfect fit.
N2: The Emperor looks in a large mirror and turns around slowly.
Emperor: Really?
Royal Dresser: Yes!
N3: The Emperor steps into the hallway where the nobles are waiting.
Emperor: How do I look?
Nobles: Wonderful!
N1: The Emperor is
Emperor: Yes. I do, don’t I?
Art by Carolyn Ridsdale
The Child: Why do you think a child says what no one else will?
SCENE 6
The Palace Gate
N2: The people of the kingdom line the streets.
Guard: Step back! You will all have a chance to see the Emperor’s new clothes—unless you’re a fool. Then you won’t see them at all.
N3: The gate opens and the Emperor comes out.
N1: He is wearing only his crown and underpants.
N2: The crowd is shocked.
N3: At first, there is silence. Then a few people clap. Soon, the whole crowd cheers.
All: Hooray! Hooray!
Subject 1: A wonderful outfit!
Subject 2: Such bright colors!
N1: Just then, a small child points up.
Child: Look! The Emperor has no clothes!
N2: No one can believe she said it.
N3: Suddenly everyone laughs out loud.
All: Hahahaha! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!
N1: The Emperor runs inside the gate where the nobles stand. Their faces are bright red with shame.
Emperor: Those tailors tricked me! Get the Royal Aide. NOW!
N2: The nobles bring him over.
Emperor: I truly am a fool. Why didn’t you stop me?
Royal Aide: I tried, but you wouldn’t listen.
Emperor: Other than that child, you were the only person brave enough to tell the truth.
Royal Aide: I’d rather be hated for being honest than loved for lying.
Emperor: From now on, I would like you to be my chief
Royal Aide: Of course!
Emperor: And for your first job . . .
Royal Aide: Yes?
Emperor: Bring me some pants!
Art by Carolyn Ridsdale
Behind the Story
This play is based on a folktale by Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875).
ACTIVITY:
Inference
You've just read "The Emperor’s New Clothes." Now it’s time to try this activity.
Tip: An inference is something that is not stated but can be figured out from clues in the text.
What to do: Imagine that you are the Royal Aide. The Emperor has just made you his chief adviser, and you’re writing about it in your journal. Make inferences to complete each sentence below on a separate sheet of paper. For clues, go back and look at the play.
Dear Diary,
Today, the Emperor made me his chief adviser because
Hint: Look in Scene 6 for clues.
It’s quite a change. When I told him what I thought yesterday, he threw me out of his bedroom because
Hint: Look in Scene 4 for clues.
I feel sorry for him. When he first realized he couldn’t see his new clothes, he must have felt
Hint: Look in Scene 5 for clues.
And then the nobles pretended they could see the clothes so that
Hint: Look in Scene 5 for clues.
If that child hadn’t spoken up,
Hint: Look in Scene 6 for clues.
