Long, long ago, there was a king who was very vain.
He liked to wear only new and beautiful clothes.
He did not care about his soldiers or his servants.
He only cared about his clothes.
Two crooks heard about the vain king.
"Hmm, the king only cares about new and beautiful clothes."
"He is so vain. Let's trick him!"
"How?"
"Let's pretend to sew some new clothes for the king.
We will say that the clothes are invisible only to foolish people."
"What a good idea!
Then nobody can tell the king that there is really no cloth at all."
So the crooks went to meet the king. They brought a loom with them too.
"Your Majesty, our loom is very special. It makes beautiful cloth.
Also, the cloth can only be seen by smart people.
Let us make some beautiful clothes for you from this cloth."
"Hmm. Okay, make me some new clothes!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. But first, give us some golden silk and golden buttons for your new clothes."
Every day the crooks pretended to sew.
So they made loud noises with the loom.
And every day the crooks asked for more golden silk and golden buttons.
But none were used for the king's new clothes.
The crooks kept all of the materials for themselves.
"Go and see how soon my beautiful clothes will be ready."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Oh no! I can't see anything at all! Am I stupid?
What will I tell the king? I must lie or lose my job!"
"Oh, what beautiful clothes you are making!"
"Thank you! Please tell the king that his new clothes are done."
"Your Majesty! Now your clothes are done. The clothes are very wonderful."
"Good! I will wear them in the parade today.
Then everyone will admire me in my beautiful clothes."
The crooks showed the king the new clothes.
But they only pretended to hold up the new clothes.
"Oh no! I can't see anything at all!
I must pretend to see these new clothes or everyone will know that I am stupid."
"Ah, how beautiful my new clothes look!"
"Here, Your Majesty. Let me help you put them on.
I am sure they will fit you perfectly."
Soon the parade began. The king smiled and began to walk down the street.
Everyone was shocked because the king was wearing only his underwear.
But they pretended to admire the king's new clothes.
They did not want to seem stupid too.
"Oh, how wonderful the king looks!"
"What beautiful new clothes!"
But as the king walked down the street, some children began to laugh.
"Oh! Ha-ha-ha! Look at the king! He is only wearing his underwear."
"What a foolish and stupid boy!"
"Oh my! The king is only wearing his underwear! Ha-ha-ha!"
Soon everyone watching the parade began to whisper.
Their whispering grew louder and louder.
"Oh my! I have been tricked! I am so ashamed and stupid!
What should I do now?"
The king wanted to stop the parade.
But it was too late to admit that he was only wearing his underwear.
So the parade continued. But the embarrassed king's face turned very red.