The Emperor's New Clothes

Image copyright Louise August

In my Adolescent Literature class, we're reviewing fables, folktales and fairy tales. The best thing about these stories, I think, are the universal truths that are interwoven. I think my favorite folktale of all time is Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes."

A full version of the story can be found HERE, but my very favorite part is the end:

"But among the crowds a little child suddenly gasped out, "But he hasn't got anything on."

And the people began to whisper to one another what the child had said.

"He hasn't got anything on."

"There's a little child saying he hasn't got anything on."

Till everyone was saying, "But he hasn't got anything on."

The Emperor himself had the uncomfortable feeling that what they were whispering was only too true. "But I will have to go through with the procession," he said to himself.

So he drew himself up and walked boldly on holding his head higher than before, and the courtiers held on to the train that wasn't there at all."

By parading his folly around for everyone to witness, he made an even bigger fool of himself. In the classroom, stories like these are great to teach kids lessons about human nature as well as to use as a springboard for creative writing. For example, I wonder what the emperor did next?

It's also easier for kiddos to recognize and identify the the moral of a story and relate to their own lives when it isn't written directly about them. Even though this tale was written in the late 19th century, it still offers a valuable lesson.

p.s. If you like the print I used, you can purchase an image plate from the artist, Louise August