1. Introduction
'The Emperor's New Clothes' is a short story published
in 1837 by Danish
Hans Christian Andersen.
2. Summary
There was a vain emperor who did not care about state affairs at all. All his attention was showing off his clothes.
One day, two tailors came to him and promised to make up the most beautiful clothes in the world.
There was a vain emperor who did not care about state affairs at all. All his attention was showing off his clothes.
One day, two tailors came to him and promised to make up the most beautiful clothes in the world.
The king, unable to resist temptation, readily paid them a large sum of money
in advance.
The deceptive scenario of the tailors started. They advertised that they would use exceptional fabrics for the outfit.
The deceptive scenario of the tailors started. They advertised that they would use exceptional fabrics for the outfit.
They said that anyone who was 'unfit
for the position or hopelessly stupid' couldn't see the cloth.
The king sent his men from time to time to check how they were working on it. In front of the officials,
The king sent his men from time to time to check how they were working on it. In front of the officials,
the weavers acted as if they were making clothes. They
pretended to cut and paste fabrics that were not there.
None of the officials could see the clothes, but they could never report it to the king.
None of the officials could see the clothes, but they could never report it to the king.
It is because the moment anyone says that they can't see the clothes,
they will be branded as 'unfit for the position or hopelessly stupid.'
Time had passed. At last, the emperor himself stopped by the tailor's workshop. He was embarrassed when he didn't see the clothes.
However, he couldn't say that. If he did, he would become a king 'unfit for the position or hopelessly stupid.'
Finally, the king got the report that the tailors had finished making the clothes. Now is the time for him to march in front of his people.
The deceivers brought the suit with extreme care and dressed the king. Of course, both had pretended because the clothes didn't exist.
The emperor went out on the street. All people came out to see the clothes. But they saw nothing but the naked body of the king, let alone the clothes.
Time had passed. At last, the emperor himself stopped by the tailor's workshop. He was embarrassed when he didn't see the clothes.
However, he couldn't say that. If he did, he would become a king 'unfit for the position or hopelessly stupid.'
Finally, the king got the report that the tailors had finished making the clothes. Now is the time for him to march in front of his people.
The deceivers brought the suit with extreme care and dressed the king. Of course, both had pretended because the clothes didn't exist.
The emperor went out on the street. All people came out to see the clothes. But they saw nothing but the naked body of the king, let alone the clothes.
Nevertheless,
no one could speak it out. On the contrary, they cheered, saying that it was
the most beautiful dress in the world.
That's when a child suddenly yelled in the crowd. "He doesn't have anything on!"
Thanks to the little boy, the emperor, his officials, and all the people realized the truth. The reason they couldn't see the clothes was just because he didn't have it on!
But the king couldn't stop the march. He, as if nothing had happened, continued to go on his way with his body naked.
3. Lessons
That's when a child suddenly yelled in the crowd. "He doesn't have anything on!"
Thanks to the little boy, the emperor, his officials, and all the people realized the truth. The reason they couldn't see the clothes was just because he didn't have it on!
But the king couldn't stop the march. He, as if nothing had happened, continued to go on his way with his body naked.
3. Lessons
This short story asks the readers. Can I alone shout for truth when everybody else is silent on lying?
All were trapped in pretense. It was because of the fear of political and social downfall when saying NO.
But the kid was different in terms of being pure. He said just what he saw.
That’s it. I hope the child's innocent heart is the heart of Christians.
Jesus said that the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such little children(Matthew 19:14).
Luke 10:23 and verse 24 amaze me in that Jesus has pinpointed the core of this short story.
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see….For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it,"
In the Christian faith, the Bible plays the role of the naive kid.
The crime of King David. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, Uria's wife, and schemed for Uria to be killed on the battlefield. (2Samuel 11)
The shame of the Apostle Peter. He denied Jesus the Lord as much as three times a night (Luke 22).
The past of Matthew. He proclaimed Jesus as the King of the Jews; however, he used to be a tax collector who the Jews treated as a traitor.
We've learned all this from the Bible. The Bible does not cover up or distort the truth for the sake of any God's person.
Let's put the book aside for a moment and ask ourselves. Are we telling the truth as we see?
I don't mean we should live like an activist. I am suggesting to live with bright eyes and a pure mind like a kid. That's what Jesus wants us to do.
Luke 10:23 and verse 24 amaze me in that Jesus has pinpointed the core of this short story.
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see….For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it,"
In the Christian faith, the Bible plays the role of the naive kid.
The crime of King David. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, Uria's wife, and schemed for Uria to be killed on the battlefield. (2Samuel 11)
The shame of the Apostle Peter. He denied Jesus the Lord as much as three times a night (Luke 22).
The past of Matthew. He proclaimed Jesus as the King of the Jews; however, he used to be a tax collector who the Jews treated as a traitor.
We've learned all this from the Bible. The Bible does not cover up or distort the truth for the sake of any God's person.
Let's put the book aside for a moment and ask ourselves. Are we telling the truth as we see?
I don't mean we should live like an activist. I am suggesting to live with bright eyes and a pure mind like a kid. That's what Jesus wants us to do.
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