Many years ago there lived an emperor who loved beautiful new clothes so much that he spent all his money on being finely dressed.His only interest was in going to the theater or on riding about in his carriage where he could show off his new clothes.he had a different costume for every hour of the day.indeed,where it was said of other kings that they were at court,it could only be said of him that he was in his dressing room! One day two swindlers came to the emperor's city.They said that they were weavers,claiming that they knew how to make the finest cloth imaginable.Not only were the colors and the patterns beautiful,but in addition,this material had the amazing property that it was to be invisible to anyone who was incompetent or stuptd. "It would be wonderful to have clothes made from that cloth,"thought the emperor."Then I would know which of my men are unfit for their positions,and I'd also be able to tell clever people from stupid ones."So he immediately gave the two swindlers a great sum of money to weave their cloth for him. They set up their looms and pretended to go to work,although there was nothing at all on the looms.They asked for the finest silk and the purest gold,all of which they hid away,continuing to work on the empty looms,often late into the night "I would really like to know how they are coming with the cloth!"thought the emperor,but he was a bit uneasy when he recalled that anyone who was unfit for his position or stupid would not be able to see the material.Of course,he himself had nothing to fear,but still he decided to send someone else to see how the work was progressing. "I'll send my honest old minister to the weavers,"thought the emperor,"He's the best one to see how the material is coming.He is very sensible,and no one is more worthy of his position than he." So the good old minister went into the hall where the two swindlers sat working at their empty looms."Goodness!" thought the old minister,opening his eyes wide."I cannot see a thing!"but he did not say so. The two swindlers invited him to step closer,asking him if it wasn't a beautiful design and if the colors weren't magnificent,They pointed to the empty loom,and the poor old minister opened his eyes wider and wider.He still could see nothing,for nothing was there."Gracious!"he thought,"Is it possible that I am stupid?I have never thought so.Am I unfit for my position?No one must know this.No,it will never do for me to say that I was unable to see the material."
