Fish in The Pond
Fish in The Pond
Fish in The Pond
There once was an Emperor who loved nothing better than wearing
fancy new clothes. Three times a day he would change into a brand
new royal outfit. Many Emperors spend their days talking to
advisers and fixing problems of the land. Not this one! He was too
busy sending out his servants to find the next great outfit to wear.
Thanks to Artist, Dovydas, 8, Lithuania
One day two strangers came to town. They said they were weavers.
They said the cloth they wove was the finest anyone would ever see.
But in fact, they were not weavers – they were crooks.
These fake weavers said their cloth was more beautiful than any
other cloth BUT it could not be seen by just anyone. Only people
who were smart and the most excellent could actually see the magic
cloth. People who were not smart and not excellent – well, they
would see nothing at all.
Soon, word reached the Emperor about these two weavers and their
fine cloth. He thought, “I am the most smart and the most excellent
Emperor! Anyone can tell by how grand I always look! I do not
need to worry about that silly magic.”
Thanks to Artist, AnnPars
So the Emperor went to see the two weavers. These clever crooks
ran about their shop, pointing at empty corners and tables. They
said with pride, “Look at these piles of fine cloth! Surely you have
never seen colors as bright as these, patterns as beautiful!” The
Emperor could not understand – he did not see any cloth,
anywhere!
The Emperor thought, “I cannot let anyone know that I cannot see
this magic cloth! Who knows what they may think of me!” So
instead he said, “Indeed! This is the most beautiful cloth anyone
has ever seen!”
The Emperor could see no cloth, anywhere!
Then someone laughed. And someone else. Then more and more
people started to laugh. Someone said aloud, “Would you look at
that? Our Emperor has no clothes!” Soon, everyone was calling out
and laughing.
“Oh dear!” thought the Emperor. “Now everyone knows I could not
see the cloth! They will know I didn’t speak up because I was afraid
of what people would think of me. What will they think of me now?”
But the Parade must go on. And so the Emperor continued to walk.
And the servants behind him continued to hold high the train that
wasn’t there.