The Emperor's New Clothes Short Story With Pictures
The Emperor's New Clothes is a classic short story that has been loved by children and adults alike for generations. It was written by Hans Christian Andersen and first published in 1837. The story is about an Emperor who is very vain and cares only about his appearance. One day, two weavers come to the Emperor and claim that they can make him a suit of clothes that is invisible to anyone who is unfit for their position, stupid or incompetent. The Emperor is very excited about the idea of having such a special suit, and he agrees to pay the weavers a large sum of money to make it for him.
The Weavers Con the Emperor
The two weavers are actually swindlers who have no intention of making any clothes for the Emperor. They pretend to be working on the suit, but they are actually just taking the Emperor's money and doing nothing. The Emperor sends his ministers to check on the progress of the suit, but they are too afraid to admit that they cannot see it. They are afraid of being seen as unfit for their positions or stupid.
Finally, the Emperor himself goes to see the weavers and their work. They show him the empty looms and pretend to be working on the clothes. The Emperor cannot see anything, but he does not want to admit that he is unfit for his position or stupid. So he pretends to be able to see the clothes and praises them. He even puts on the invisible suit and parades around the town.
The people of the town can't believe that the Emperor is naked, but they are too afraid to say anything. They don't want to be seen as unfit for their positions or stupid. It's not until a little child points out that the Emperor is not wearing any clothes that the people finally realize what is going on.
The Lesson of the Story
The Emperor's New Clothes is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and the importance of speaking up when something is wrong. The Emperor cares only about his appearance and is willing to go along with the weavers' scam because he doesn't want to admit that he cannot see the clothes. The people of the town are afraid to speak up because they don't want to be seen as unfit or stupid. It's only the innocent child who is brave enough to tell the truth.
The story teaches us that it's important to be honest and to speak up when we see something that is wrong. We should not be afraid to speak the truth, even if it goes against the popular opinion or the beliefs of those in power. It's also important to be humble and not to let our vanity control us.
The Enduring Popularity of the Story
The Emperor's New Clothes has remained a popular story for generations because of its timeless themes and its engaging storytelling. The story is simple enough for children to understand, but it also has a deeper meaning that adults can appreciate. The story has been adapted many times, including as an animated short film by Walt Disney Productions in 1934, and as a musical play by the American composer George Kleinsinger in 1953.
The story is also popular because of its memorable characters and its colorful illustrations. The weavers are depicted as sly and deceitful, while the Emperor is shown as vain and foolish. The little child who speaks the truth is seen as innocent and brave. The illustrations help to bring the story to life and make it more engaging for readers.
Conclusion
The Emperor's New Clothes is a classic short story that has endured for generations because of its timeless themes and its engaging storytelling. The story teaches us about the dangers of vanity and the importance of speaking up when something is wrong. It's a story that everyone should read and remember, no matter how old they are.