A story from my childhood!!!

When I was a kid my mom used to tell me this story of an emperor.

He was a big snob and cared just about his clothes and nothing else. Once, two craftsmen arrived in his court. They claimed they could weave a cloth that would be extraordinary. It would be invisible to anyone who was “unwise and stupid”. The Emperor thought it was a great chance to spot unwise and reckless people in his court.

The King ordered the cloth to be made at once. After a few days, the King got restless and went with his ministers to see the garment. As he reached the workshop, the craftsmen showed him a hanger stating that the cloth is ready and the King can go ahead and try.


The King, on the other hand, was thoroughly puzzled. He could not spot the garment and thought “I can’t see anything!! Am I a fool and not fit to be an Emperor?” To save himself from the embarrassment he praised the cloth and went ga-ga over its beauty.


His entourage were as surprised as the King but exclaimed “Ahh its beautiful!!!”. As the news spread about the magnificent cloth, the King was advised to wear the same in the next court session.


The craftsmen on the night before were given bags of gold and they left after dressing the king in the new garment. The King went to the court without clothes on and people applauded.


Suddenly, a child from the crowd said “But he isn’t wearing anything”. Everyone began to whisper that a child had the courage to say what they couldn’t. They all started shouting then and made fun of the king. The King who was appalled by his own foolishness went on with the rest of the session without the clothes on.

I used to laugh at the Emperor as a kid but failed to see a deeper meaning. It will never serve a purpose if we try to fit in other people's shoes. Always choose to stand against what is wrong. Of course it is easier said than done. But we build our own fears, and speaking the truth is one of them.

I insist we face facts, speak truth and be aware. It is better to have no views than blindly following someone else's vision.

Also, never go out wearing nothing coz you won’t be able to stop the wagging tongues: P