Slide 1 The Emperor’s New Clothes Based on a Tale by Hans Christian Andersen Why is it important to always speak the truth? What happens when you pretend something is true when it is not? Once upon a time there lived a vain emperor who loved fancy clothes. He had as many suits of clothing as there were days in the year, and he delighted in showing off his fashions to his people. Word of the emperor’s love for clothing spread throughout the land, and one day two men showed up at the castle with a clever idea. “We are the best tailors in the land,” they told the emperor. “And we have invented an exquisite cloth fit for royalty. It is so fine, it is invisible to anyone who is too dull or too foolish to appreciate it.” “I must have a suit of clothes made from this cloth!” exclaimed the emperor. And he ordered the men to start weaving at once.

Slide 2 The Emperor’s New Clothes Based on a Tale by Hans Christian Andersen (Cont.) The two men asked for a loom, silk and gold thread, and a room in the castle. They also asked for two bags of gold. Then they went to work, pretending to weave the exquisite cloth. A few days later, the emperor called his old servant to him. “Go see how the tailors are doing,” the emperor said. “Ask them to display their fine cloth. Come back to me and let me know what you think of it.” The emperor’s servant went into the room where the men were working. “Welcome!” they cried. “Come and see the wonderful cloth we have made. We’re almost finished. What do you think?” The servant looked closely at the cloth that was not there. “I can’t see it!” he thought to himself. “I must be terribly dull and foolish! I can’t let the tailors or the emperor know that the cloth is invisible to me.” So the servant replied, “It is the most beautiful cloth I have ever seen.” And when the servant returned to the emperor, he praised the cloth.

Slide 3 The Emperor’s New Clothes Based on a Tale by Hans Christian Andersen (Cont.) Soon the men announced that the cloth was finished, and they were ready to measure the emperor for his clothes. They appeared in the emperor’s bedroom, pretending to carry a large roll of cloth. “Here is the cloth, your majesty,” they said. “We have worked day and night to finish it. Just look at the colors. Feel the fi ne weave. It is truly fit for an emperor!” Of course, the emperor could not see the cloth, nor could he feel it between his fingers. He grew nervous and scared. “I must be dull and foolish if I can’t see the cloth,” he thought to himself. “But I can’t let anyone else know it!” So the emperor praised the cloth, and he let the men measure him for a suit. “You must finish the suit in two days,” said the emperor. “I wish to wear it to the musical performance being held in my honor.” “Of course, your majesty,” said the men, laughing behind the emperor’s back. How easy it was to deceive the silly emperor! They shut themselves up in the room, and after two days they presented the emperor with an imaginary suit made from the cloth that never existed.

Slide 4 The Emperor’s New Clothes Based on a Tale by Hans Christian Andersen (Cont.) News of the wonderful cloth had spread through the land, and all the people were eager to see the emperor in his new clothes. So when the emperor rode through the streets on his way to the musical performance, everyone in town gathered to greet him with cheers and applause. “Wonderful!” the people cried. “What beautiful cloth! Look at the colors!” Of course, the people could not see the cloth, but they were all too ashamed to admit it. Then suddenly a child called out from the crowd, “Father, look! The emperor has no clothes!” “Shush,” said the father. “Everyone will think we are fools.” “But the child is right,” another voice shouted from the crowd. “The emperor is in his underclothes!” “Yes! Yes!” everyone agreed. Then they all began to laugh at their own foolishness. But the poor emperor could not laugh. He was too embarrassed. He went back to the castle and found that the two men had left with the gold. He spent the rest of the night thinking of how silly he had been, and he missed the performance completely. Unit 4, Week 5 1. When have you heard applause? 2. Who would you talk to if you felt ashamed about something? 3. How do most people feel when they have been deceived? 4. What are some things on display in your home? 5. If a girl gets a perfect score on a test, does that show that she is dull or clever? 6. What exquisite things have you seen lately? 7. Do you think the tooth fairy is real or imaginary? 8. When have you been praised for something you did? 9. What stories do you know about royalty? Who are the royal characters in the story? 10. Would you want a vain person as a friend? Why or why not?