The Emperor's New Clothes

Once upon a time, there lived a vain Emperor whose only worry was to dress in elegant clothes. He changed clothes almost every hour and loved to show them off to his people.

Two scoundrels who had heard of the Emperor's vanity decided to take advantage of it. "We have invented an extraordinary method to weave a cloth so light and fine that it looks almost invisible. As a matter of fact it is invisible to anyone who is too stupid and incompetent to appreciate its quality."

The chamberlain notified the prime minister, who ran to the Emperor to disclosed the incredible news. The Emperor's curiosity got the better of him and decided to see the two scoundrels.
"Just tell us what you need to get started and we'll give it to you" said the Emperor. The two scoundrels asked for a loom, silk, gold thread and then pretended to begin working.

Finally, the Emperor received the message that the two tailors had come to take the measurements needed to sew his new suit. “Look at the result of our labour! Look at the colors and feel how fine it is!" Said the two scoundrels. The Emperor did not see anything but when he realized that no one could know that he did not see the fabric, he felt better. Nobody could find out he was stupid and incompetent.

"Your Highness, you'll have to take off your clothes to try on your new ones." The two scoundrels draped the new clothes on him and then held up a mirror. The embarrassed Emperor said "Yes, this is a beautiful suit and it looks very good on me!"

The commoners found out about this extraordinary fabric and are anxious to see the Emperor in his new suit." The Emperor was doubtful showing himself naked to the people, but then he abandoned his fears. After all, no one would know about it except the ignorant and the incompetent.

And so, the Emperor summoned his carriage and the ceremonial parade was formed. All the people had gathered in the main square, pushing and shoving to get a better look. Everyone wanted to know how stupid or incompetent his or her neighbor was but, as the Emperor passed, a strange murmur rose from the crowd…

"Look at the Emperor's new clothes. They're beautiful!" said everyone, loud enough for the others to hear. They tried to conceal their disappointment for not being able to see the new clothes and since nobody was willing to admit his own stupidity and incompetence, everyone pretended the existence of the Emperor new cloth.

A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him and went up to the carriage and shouted "The Emperor is naked!" The boy's remark, which had been heard by the bystanders, was repeated over and over again until everyone cried "The boy is right! The Emperor is naked! It's true!"

The Emperor realized that the people were right but could not admit to that. He thought it would be better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see his clothes was either stupid or incompetent. And so, he stood stiffly on his carriage while the page behind him held his imaginary mantle while he waved at the crowd, in his naked body.

This is one of my favorite childhood stories which tells a lot in it. You get the hint readers? Naïve, stupidity, incompetent or whatever you call it, is when you do things when others tell you to, only to realize that at the end of the day, it’s all a bogus image you have believed in. And imagine the shame you have to carry with you throughout your life....pitiful man who never believe in himself and continue living in an imaginary world, pretending to be what he is not, being treated like a "barbie doll" to the two scoundrels tailors...ignorant fool (opps...Emperor) I must say. ;)