The Emperor’s New Clothes

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s light and funny for school-age kids, with a clear moral and no scary scenes. At bedtime, it works well as a gentle reminder that telling the truth can be brave and kind.

Story Synopsis

An emperor loves clothes so much that he spends more time dressing than ruling. One day, two clever tricksters arrive and claim they can weave cloth so special that it is invisible to anyone who is unfit for their job or not very wise. The emperor is thrilled—he imagines using the suit to discover who in his kingdom is foolish. He gives the weavers gold and fine silk, and they set up looms—yet they produce nothing at all. When the emperor’s ministers go to check, they see only empty space. But each one is terrified to admit it, fearing it would prove them foolish or unworthy. So they praise the ‘fabric’ with great excitement. The emperor does the same, and soon the whole city is swept into a nervous performance. At last, the ‘suit’ is declared ready. The emperor marches in a grand parade while the crowd pretends to admire his magnificent clothes. Then a child speaks honestly: the emperor isn’t wearing anything. The spell of pretending breaks, and the emperor must face the truth. The story is a warm, memorable lesson in courage, honesty, and thinking for yourself.

Story Excerpt

Once, many years ago, there lived an emperor who loved new clothes more than anything else. He spent all his money on fine fabrics and fancy suits. He did not spend much time thinking about his kingdom or his people ; he was almost always in his dressing room, admiring a new coat or a new pair of trousers. His capital was a grand, busy city, and strangers visited every day. One day, two tricksters arrived. They told everyone they were weavers who could make the most wonderful cloth in the world. Not only were the colors and patterns beautiful, but the clothes made from this cloth had a special power : they were invisible to anyone who was not fit for their job, or who was not very wise. “ That would be an amazing suit to have! ” thought the emperor. “ If I wore it, I could see which people in my kingdom are not right for their jobs. I could tell the wise from the foolish. I must have this cloth at once! ” He gave the two tricksters a great deal of money to begin their work. They set up two looms and pretended to weave day and night. But the looms were completely empty. They asked for the finest silk and the shiniest…

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