The Emperor’s New Clothes

As You Read: Think about what the Emperor learns from the Royal Aide.

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 vain.

Royal Aide (to himself): I worry that could get him into trouble . . .

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.

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 sensible. 

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!

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!

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 relieved.

Emperor: Yes. I do, don’t I?

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 adviser. 

Royal Aide: Of course! 

Emperor: And for your first job . . . 

Royal Aide: Yes?

Emperor: Bring me some pants!