Many years ago there lived a king who passionately loved clothes and new clothes and spent all his money on them. And he went out to his soldiers, and went to the theater or into the forest for a walk, just to show off in a new outfit. For every hour of the day he had a special doublet, and just as they say about kings: “The king is in council,” so they always said about him: “The king is in the dressing room.”

The city in which the king lived was large and lively, so that foreign guests came every day, and one day two deceivers stopped by. They introduced themselves as weavers and declared that they could weave wonderful fabric, better than which one could not imagine. And it is unusually good in color and pattern, and besides, a dress made from this fabric has the miraculous property of becoming invisible to any person who is sitting in the wrong place or is incredibly stupid.

“That would be a wonderful dress! - thought the king. - Put on such a dress - and you can immediately see who is sitting in the wrong place in your kingdom. And I will be able to distinguish smart from stupid! Yes, let them weave such fabric for me as soon as possible!”

And he gave the deceivers a lot of money so that they could immediately begin work.

The deceivers set up two looms and, well, show that they are working, but they themselves have absolutely nothing on the looms. Without ceremony, they demanded the finest silk and the purest gold, pocketed everything and continued to work on empty machines until late at night.

“It would be nice to see how things are progressing!” - thought the king, but such was the vague feeling in his soul when he remembered that a fool or one who is not fit for his place will not see the fabric. And although he believed that he had nothing to fear for himself, he nevertheless decided that it was better to send someone else on reconnaissance.

After all, the whole city already knew what a wonderful property the fabric had, and everyone was eager to see how useless or stupid his neighbor was.

“I’ll send my honest old minister to the weavers! - the king decided. “Who else, if not him, should look at the fabric, because he is smart and better suited to his place than anyone else!”

And so the brave old minister went into the hall where two deceivers were working on empty machines.

“Lord have mercy! - thought the old minister, his eyes widening. “After all, I don’t see anything!”

But he didn't say it out loud.

And the deceivers invite him to come closer, ask if the colors are cheerful, if the patterns are good, and at the same time they all point to the empty machines, and no matter how much the poor minister opened his eyes, he still saw nothing, because there was nothing to see.

“Lord God! - he thought. - Am I really a fool? I never thought that! Just so that no one finds out! Am I really not fit for my place? No, there’s no way I can admit that I don’t see the fabric!”

- Why don’t you say anything? - asked one of the weavers.

- Oh, that's very nice! Absolutely adorable! - said the old minister, looking through his glasses. - What a pattern, what colors!.. Yes, yes, I will report to the king that I like it extremely!

- Well, we're glad! - the deceivers said, and well, name the colors, explain the rare patterns. The old minister listened and remembered everything in order to report everything exactly to the king.

So he did.

And the deceivers demanded more money, silk and gold: they say they need all this for weaving. But they pocketed all this again, not a thread was used for fabric, and they themselves continued to weave on empty looms.

The king soon sent another honest official to see how things were going and whether the fabric would soon be ready. And with this it happened the same as with the minister, he looked and looked, but he didn’t see anything, because there was nothing except empty machines.

- Well, how? Isn't that a good fabric? - the deceivers ask and, well, explain and show a magnificent pattern that never existed.

“I'm not stupid! - thought the official. - So, then, I’m not approaching the good place where I’m sitting? Strange! In any case, you can’t show it!”

And he began to praise the fabric, which he had not seen, and expressed his admiration for the beautiful colors and wonderful patterns.

- Oh yes, this is absolutely charming! - he reported to the king.

And now the whole city was talking about what a magnificent fabric the weavers had woven. And then the king himself decided to look at it while it was still on the bench.

With a whole crowd of selected courtiers, among them both honest old officials who had already been there, he entered the two cunning deceivers. They weaved with all their might, although there was not a thread on the looms.

- Fabulous! Isn't it true? - said both brave officials. - Deign to see, Your Majesty, what a pattern, what colors!

And they pointed to the empty loom, because they thought that others would certainly see the fabric.

"What's happened? - thought the king. - I don’t see anything! It's horrible. Am I really stupid? Am I not fit to be a king? You can’t imagine anything worse!”

- Oh, this is very beautiful! - said the king. - I give my highest approval!

He nodded contentedly and looked at the empty machines, not wanting to admit that he saw nothing. And his entire retinue looked and looked and also saw no more than everyone else, but said after the king: “Oh, this is very beautiful!” - and advised him to sew an outfit from a new magnificent fabric for the upcoming solemn procession. “This is great! Wonderful! Perfect!" - that was all that was heard from all sides. Everyone was absolutely delighted. The king awarded each of the deceivers a knight's cross in their buttonhole and awarded them the title of court weavers.

The deceivers sat sewing all night before the celebration and burned more than sixteen candles. Everyone could see that they were in a great hurry to complete the king’s new outfit on time. They pretended to remove fabric from the looms, they cut the air with large scissors, they sewed with a needle without thread, and finally said:

- Well, the outfit is ready!

The king came to them with his most noble courtiers, and the deceivers, raising their hands high, as if holding something in them, said:

- Here are the trousers! Here's a camisole! Here's the robe! - And so on. - Everything is as light as a cobweb! It’s time to think that there’s nothing on the body, but that’s the whole trick!

- Yes, yes! - said the courtiers, although they saw absolutely nothing, because there was nothing to see.

- And now, Your Royal Majesty, deign to take off your dress! - said the deceivers. - We will dress you in new clothes, right here, in front of a large mirror!

The king undressed, and the deceivers pretended to put on him one piece of new clothing after another. They grabbed him around the waist and pretended to attach something - it was a train, and the king twirled and twirled in front of the mirror.

- Oh, how it’s going! Oh, how wonderful it sits! - the courtiers spoke loudly. - What a pattern, what colors! There are no words, a luxurious dress!

- The canopy is waiting, Your Majesty! - reported the chief ceremonial master. “It will be carried over you in a procession.”

“I’m ready,” said the king. — Does the dress fit well?

And he once again turned in front of the mirror - after all, it was necessary to show that he was carefully examining the outfit.

The chamberlains, who were supposed to carry the train, groped their hands along the floor and pretended to lift the train, and then walked with outstretched arms - they did not dare to show that there was nothing to carry.

So the king went at the head of the procession under a luxurious canopy, and all the people on the street and in the windows said:

- Oh, the king’s new outfit is incomparable! And the train is so beautiful. And the camisole fits so wonderfully!

Not a single person wanted to admit that he could not see anything, because this would mean that he was either stupid or sitting in the wrong place. No king's dress has ever evoked such delight.

- But the king is naked! - a child suddenly said.

- Lord God, listen to what the innocent baby says! - said his father.

And everyone began to whisper the child’s words to each other.

- He's naked! Here is a child saying that he is naked!

- He's naked! - all the people finally shouted. And the king felt uneasy: it seemed to him that people were right, but he thought to himself: “We must endure the procession to the end.”

And he performed even more majestic, and the chamberlains followed him, carrying a train that was not there.

Many years ago there was a king in the world: he loved to dress up so much that he spent all his money on new dresses, and parades, theaters, country walks occupied him only because he could appear there in a new outfit . For every hour of the day he had a special dress, and just as they say about other kings: “The king is in council,” so they said about him: “The king is in the dressing room.”
Life was very cheerful in the capital of this king: foreign guests came almost every day, and then one day two deceivers appeared. They pretended to be weavers and said that they could weave such a wonderful fabric, better than which nothing could be imagined: except incredibly beautiful drawing and colors, it is also different amazing property- become invisible to any person who is sitting in the wrong place or is incredibly stupid.
“Yes, this will be the dress! - thought the king. “Then I can find out which of my dignitaries is out of place and who is smart and who is stupid.” Let them quickly weave such fabric for me.”
And he gave the deceivers a large deposit so that they would immediately get down to business.
They set up two looms and began to pretend that they were working hard, but they themselves had absolutely nothing on the looms. Not at all embarrassed, they demanded the finest silk and the purest gold for their work, they put it all in their pockets and sat at empty machines from morning until late at night. “I’d like to see how things are going!” - thought the king. But then he remembered the wonderful properties of the fabric, and he felt somehow uneasy. Of course, he has nothing to fear for himself, but... still, it would be better if someone else went first! Meanwhile, rumors about the strange fabric spread throughout the whole city, and everyone was eager to quickly become convinced of the stupidity or unsuitability of their neighbor.
“I’ll send my honest old minister to them,” thought the king. - He’ll look at the fabric: he’s smart and how
no one else fits the position.”
And so the old minister entered the hall where the deceivers were sitting at empty machines.
“Lord have mercy! - thought the minister, widening his eyes. “But I don’t see anything!” Only he didn't say it out loud. The deceivers respectfully asked him to come closer and say how much he liked the pattern and colors. At the same time, they pointed to empty machines, and the poor minister, no matter how hard he stared, still did not see anything. And there was nothing to see. “Oh, my God! - he thought. - Am I really stupid? That's something I never thought of! God forbid, someone finds out!.. Or maybe I’m not fit for my position?.. No, no, there’s no way to admit that I don’t see fabric!”
- Why don’t you tell us anything? - asked one of the weavers.
- Oh, that's lovely! - answered the old minister, looking through his glasses. - What a pattern, what colors! Yes, yes, I will report to the king that I extremely liked your work!
- Glad to try! - said the deceivers and began to describe what an extraordinary pattern and combination of colors there is. The minister listened very carefully and then repeated all this to the king. So he did.
Now the deceivers began to demand more more money, silk and gold; but they only lined their pockets, and not a single thread went to work. As before, they sat at the empty looms and pretended to weave.
Then the king sent another worthy dignitary to the weavers. He had to see how things were going and find out whether the work would be finished soon. It was the same with him as with the first one. He looked, looked with all his eyes, but still saw nothing but empty machines.
- Well, how do you like it? - the deceivers asked him, showing the fabric and praising patterns that were not even there.
“I’m not stupid,” thought the dignitary. - So, I'm not in the right place? Here's your time! However, you can’t show it!”
And he began to praise the fabric, which he had not seen, admiring the beautiful design and combination of colors.
- Lovely, lovely! - he reported to the king. Soon the whole city was talking about the amazing fabric. Finally, the king himself wanted to admire the curiosity while it was still on the machine.
With a whole retinue of selected courtiers and dignitaries, including the first two who had already seen the fabric, the king appeared to the cunning deceivers who were weaving tirelessly on empty looms.
- Magnifique! Isn't it true? - the dignitaries who had already been here cried out. - Would you like to admire it? What a drawing... and colors!
And they poked their fingers into space, imagining that everyone else saw the fabric.
“What nonsense! - thought the king. - I don’t see anything! It's terrible! Am I stupid, or what? Or am I not fit to be a king? That would be the worst!”
- Oh yes, very, very nice! - the king finally said. -Completely deserves my approval!
And he nodded his head with a satisfied look, looking at the empty machines - he didn’t want to admit that he didn’t see anything. The king's retinue looked with all their eyes, but saw no more than he himself; and yet everyone repeated in one voice: “Very, very nice!” - and advised the king to make himself an outfit from this fabric for the upcoming ceremony.
- Magnifique! Excellent! - that was all that was heard from all sides; everyone was so delighted! The king awarded the deceivers a knight's cross in their buttonhole and granted them the title of court weavers.
The deceivers sat at work all night before the celebration and burned more than sixteen candles - it was clear to everyone that they were trying to finish the king’s new dress on time. They pretended to remove the fabric from the looms, cut it with large scissors and then sew it with needles without thread.
Finally they announced:
- Ready!
The king, accompanied by his retinue, himself came to them to dress. The deceivers raised their hands up as if holding something, saying: “Here are the trousers, here is the camisole, here is the caftan!” Wonderful outfit! Light as a spider's web, and you won't feel it on your body! But that’s the beauty of it!
- Yes, yes! - the courtiers said, although they saw nothing - but there was nothing to see.
- And now, Your Royal Majesty, deign to undress and stand here, in front of a large mirror! - the deceivers told the king. - We'll dress you!
The king stripped naked, and the deceivers began to dress him up: they pretended to put one piece of clothing on him after another and finally attached something to his shoulders and waist - they put a royal robe on him! And the king turned in front of the mirror in all directions.
God, how it goes! How wonderful it sits! - they whispered in the retinue. -What a pattern, what colors! Luxurious dress!
- The canopy is waiting! - the chief master of ceremonies reported. - I'm ready! - said the king. - Does the dress fit well?
And he once again turned in front of the mirror: it was necessary to show that he was carefully examining his outfit.
The chamberlains, who were supposed to carry the train of the royal robe, pretended to pick up something from the floor and followed the king, stretching out their arms in front of them - they did not dare to show that they did not see anything.
And so the king walked through the streets under a luxurious canopy, and the people who crowded to look at him said:
- Oh, how beautiful this new dress of the king is! How wonderful it sits! What a luxurious robe!
Not a single person said that he could not see anything, no one wanted to admit that he was stupid or was sitting in the wrong place. No king's dress has ever caused such admiration.
- But the king is naked! - suddenly a little boy shouted.
- Listen to what the innocent baby says! - said his father, and everyone began to whisper the child’s words to each other.
- But he’s completely naked! Here's a boy saying he's naked! - all the people finally shouted.
And the king felt terrible: it seemed to him that they were right, but it was necessary to bring the ceremony to the end!
And he performed under his canopy even more majestic, and the chamberlains followed him, supporting a mantle that was not there.

A+ A-

The King's New Dress - Hans Christian Andersen

A tale of how two tricksters deceived the king. They made him a dress from “wonderful fabric” that only a fool does not see. However, the king himself does not notice the dress, although he is ashamed to admit it. Everyone admires the king's non-existent outfit, and only the child notices that the king is naked...

The King's New Dress read

Many years ago there lived a king; he loved to dress up so much that he spent all his money on new dresses, and parades, theaters, and country walks occupied him only because he could then appear in a new outfit. For every hour of the day he had a special outfit, and just as they often say about other kings: “The king is in council,” so they said about him: “The king is in the dressing room.”

Life was very cheerful in the capital of this king; Foreign guests arrived almost every day, and then one day two deceivers appeared.

They pretended to be weavers and said that they could produce such a wonderful fabric, better than which nothing could be imagined: in addition to the unusually beautiful design and coloring, it also has an amazing property - it becomes invisible to any person who is out of place or completely stupid. .

“Yes, this will be the dress! - thought the king. “Then I can find out which of my dignitaries is out of place and who is smart and who is stupid.” Let them make such fabric for me as soon as possible.”

And he gave the deceivers a large deposit so that they would immediately get down to business.

They set up two looms and began to pretend that they were working hard, but they themselves had absolutely nothing on the looms. Not at all embarrassed, they demanded the finest silk and the purest gold for their work, they hid all this in their pockets and sat at empty machines from morning until late at night.

“I’d like to see how things are going!” - thought the king. But then he remembered the wonderful properties of the fabric, and he felt somehow uneasy. Of course, he has nothing to fear for himself, but... still, it would be better if someone else went first! Meanwhile, rumors about the strange fabric spread throughout the city, and everyone was eager to quickly become convinced of the stupidity or unsuitability of their neighbor.

“I’ll send my honest old minister to them,” thought the king. “He’ll look at the fabric: he’s smart and takes his place with honor.”

And so the old minister entered the hall where the deceivers were sitting at empty machines.

“Lord have mercy! - thought the minister, widening his eyes. “But I don’t see anything!”

Only he didn't say it out loud.

The deceivers respectfully asked him to come closer and say how much he liked the pattern and colors. At the same time, they pointed to empty machines, but the poor minister, no matter how much he stared, still did not see anything. And there was nothing to see.

“Oh my God! - he thought. - Am I really stupid? That's something I never thought of! God forbid, someone finds out!.. Or maybe I’m not fit for my position?.. No, no, there’s no way to admit that I don’t see fabric!”

Why don't you tell us anything? - asked one of the weavers.

Oh, that's lovely! - answered the old minister, looking through his glasses. - What a pattern, what colors! Yes, yes, I will report to the king that I liked your work extremely!

Glad to try! - said the deceivers and began to describe what an extraordinary pattern and combination of colors there is. The minister listened very carefully and then repeated all this to the king. So he did.

Now the deceivers began to demand even more money, silk and gold; but they only lined their pockets, and not a single thread went to work. As before, they sat at the empty looms and pretended to weave.

Then the king sent another worthy dignitary to the weavers. He had to see how things were going and find out whether the work would be finished soon. It was the same with him as with the first one. He looked and looked, but still didn’t see anything except empty machines.

Well, how do you like it? - the deceivers asked him, showing the fabric and explaining patterns that were not there at all.

“I’m not stupid,” thought the dignitary. - So I'm not in the right place? Here's your time! However, you can’t show it!”

And he began to praise the fabric, which he had not seen, admiring the beautiful design and combination of colors.

Nice, nice! - he reported to the king.

Soon the whole city was talking about the amazing fabric.

Finally, the king himself wanted to admire the curiosity while it was still on the machine.

With a whole retinue of selected courtiers and dignitaries, including the first two who had already seen the fabric, the king appeared to the cunning deceivers who were weaving with all their might on empty looms.

Magnifique! (Wonderful - French) Isn't it? - the dignitaries who had already been here cried out. - Would you like to admire it? What a drawing...and the colors! And they poked their fingers into space, imagining that everyone else saw the fabric.

“What nonsense! - thought the king. - I don't see anything! It's terrible! Am I stupid, or what? Or am I not fit to be a king? That would be the worst!”

Oh yes, very, very nice! - the king finally said. - Well deserves my approval!

And he nodded his head with a satisfied look, looking at the empty machines - he did not want to admit that he saw nothing. The king's retinue looked with all their eyes, but saw no more than he himself; and yet everyone repeated in one voice: “Very, very nice!” - and advised the king to make himself an outfit from this fabric for the upcoming solemn procession.

Magnifique! Wonderful! Excellent! - that was all that was heard from all sides; everyone was so delighted! The king awarded the deceivers a knight's cross in their buttonhole and granted them the title of court weavers.

The deceivers sat at work all night before the celebration and burned more than sixteen candles - it was clear to everyone that they were trying very hard to finish the king’s new dress on time. They pretended to remove the fabric from the looms, cut it with large scissors and then sew it with needles without thread. Finally they announced:

The king, accompanied by his retinue, himself came to them to dress. The deceivers raised their hands up as if holding something, saying:

Here are the trousers, here is the camisole, here is the caftan! Wonderful outfit! Light as a spider's web, and you won't feel it on your body! But that’s the beauty of it!

Yes, yes! - the courtiers said, but they saw nothing - there was nothing to see.

And now, Your Royal Majesty, deign to undress and stand here, in front of a large mirror! - the deceivers told the king. - We'll dress you!

The king stripped naked, and the deceivers began to dress him up: they pretended to put one piece of clothing on him after another and finally attach something at the shoulders and waist - they put the royal robe on him! And the king turned in front of the mirror in all directions.

God, how it goes! How wonderful it sits! - they whispered in the retinue. - What a pattern, what colors! Luxurious dress!

The canopy is waiting! - the chief master of ceremonies reported.

I'm ready! - said the king. - Does the dress fit well?

And he once again turned in front of the mirror: it was necessary to show that he was carefully examining his outfit.

The chamberlains, who were supposed to carry the train of the royal robe, pretended to pick up something from the floor and followed the king, stretching out their arms in front of them - they did not dare to show that they did not see anything.

And so the king walked through the streets under a luxurious canopy, and the people gathered in the streets said:

Oh, how beautiful the king’s new dress is! How wonderful it sits! What a luxurious robe!

Not a single person admitted that he could not see anything, no one wanted to admit that he was stupid or was sitting in the wrong place. No king's dress has ever caused such admiration.

Why, he's naked! - a little boy suddenly shouted.

Listen to what the innocent baby says! - said his father, and everyone began to whisper the child’s words to each other.

Why, he's completely naked! The boy says that he is not dressed at all! - all the people finally shouted.

And the king felt terrible: it seemed to him that they were right, but it was necessary to complete the ceremony!

And he performed under his canopy even more majestic, and the chamberlains followed him, supporting a mantle that was not there.

(Illustration N. Golts)

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A long time ago there lived a king; he loved to dress up so much that he spent all his money on outfits, and military parades, theaters, and country walks occupied him only because he could then appear in a new outfit. For every hour of the day he had a special outfit, and just as they often say about other kings: “The king is in council,” so they said about him: “The king is in the dressing room.”

Life was very cheerful in the king's capital, foreign guests arrived almost every day, and then two deceivers appeared. They pretended to be weavers who knew how to make such a wonderful fabric, better than which nothing could be imagined: in addition to the unusually beautiful design and colors, it was also distinguished by the wonderful property of becoming invisible to any person who was “out of place” or incredibly stupid.

“Yes, this is how the dress will be! - thought the king. “Then I can find out which of my dignitaries is out of place and who is smart and who is stupid.” Let them make such fabric for me as soon as possible.”

And he gave the deceivers a large deposit so that they would immediately get down to business.

They set up two looms and began to pretend that they were working hard, but they themselves had absolutely nothing on the looms. Not at all embarrassed, they demanded the finest silk and the best gold for work, hid all this in their pockets and continued to sit at empty machines from morning until late at night.

“I’d like to see how things are going!” - thought the king. But then he remembered the wonderful properties of the fabric, and he felt somehow uneasy. Of course, he has nothing to fear for himself, but... still, let someone else go first! Meanwhile, rumors about the strange fabric spread throughout the city, and everyone was eager to quickly become convinced of the stupidity and worthlessness of their neighbor.

“I’ll send my honest old minister to them,” thought the king, “so he can look at the fabric: he is smart and takes his place with honor.”

And so the old minister entered the chamber where the deceivers were sitting at empty machines.

“Lord have mercy! - thought the minister, widening his eyes. “I don’t see anything!”

Only he didn't say it out loud.

The deceivers respectfully asked him to come closer and say how much he liked the drawing and colors. At the same time, they pointed to empty machines, but the poor minister, no matter how much he stared, still did not see anything. And there was nothing to see.

“Oh my God! - he thought. - Am I really stupid? That's something I never thought of! God forbid if anyone finds out!.. Or maybe I’m not fit for my position?.. No, no, there’s no way I can admit that I don’t see fabric!”

Why don't you tell us anything? - asked one of the weavers.

Oh, that's lovely! - answered the old minister, looking through his glasses. - What a drawing, what colors! Yes, yes, I will report to the king that I liked your work extremely!

Glad to try! - said the deceivers and began to describe what kind of pattern and combination of colors there was. The minister listened very carefully and then repeated all this to the king. So he did.

Now the deceivers began to demand even more silk and gold, but they only filled their pockets, and not a single thread went to work.

Then the king sent another dignitary to the weavers. It was the same with him as with the first one. He looked and looked, but still saw nothing but empty machines.

Well, how do you like it? - the deceivers asked him, showing the fabric and explaining the patterns that were not there.

“I’m not stupid,” thought the dignitary, “does that mean I’m out of place? Here's your time! However, you can’t show it!”

And he began to praise the fabric, which he had not seen, admiring the wonderful design and combination of colors.

Nice, nice! - he reported to the king. Soon the whole city was talking about the amazing fabric.

Finally, the king himself wanted to admire the curiosity while it was still on the machine. With a whole retinue of selected courtiers and dignitaries, including the first two, who had already seen the fabric, the king appeared to the deceivers, who were weaving with all their might on empty looms.

Magnifique! (Wonderful! (French)) Isn’t it? - the first two dignitaries spoke. - Would you like to admire it? What a drawing... of paint!

And they poked their fingers into space, imagining that everyone else saw the fabric.

“What, what is it?!” - thought the king. - I don't see anything! It's terrible! Am I stupid? Or am I not fit to be a king? That would be the worst!”

Oh yes, very, very nice! - the king finally said. - Well deserves my approval!

And he nodded his head with a satisfied look, looking at the empty machines: he did not want to admit that he saw nothing. The king's retinue looked with all their eyes, but saw no more than himself; nevertheless, everyone repeated in one voice: “Very, very nice!” - and advised the king to make himself an outfit from this fabric for the upcoming solemn procession.

Magnifique! Wonderful! Excellent! (Excellent! (French)) was all that was heard from all sides; everyone was so delighted!

The king awarded each deceiver an order and made them court weavers.

The deceivers sat at work all night before the celebration and burned more than sixteen candles - so they tried to finish a new outfit for the king on time. They pretended to remove the fabric from the looms, cut it with large scissors and then sew it with needles without thread.

Finally they announced:

The king, accompanied by his retinue, himself came to them to dress. The deceivers raised their hands up as if holding something, saying:

Here are the trousers, here is the camisole, here is the caftan! Wonderful outfit! Light as a spider's web, and you won't feel it on your body! But that’s the beauty of it!

Yes, yes! - the courtiers said, but they saw nothing: there was nothing to see.

Now deign to undress and stand here, in front of a large mirror! - the deceivers told the king. - We'll dress you up!

The king undressed, and the deceivers began to “dress up” him: they pretended to put one piece of clothing on him after another and, finally, attach something to his shoulders and waist: they were “putting” on him the royal robe! And at this time the king turned in front of the mirror in all directions.

God, how it goes! How wonderful it sits! - they whispered in the retinue. - What a drawing, what colors! Luxurious outfit!

The canopy is waiting! - the chief master of ceremonies reported.

I'm ready! - said the king. - Does the dress fit well?

And he once again turned in front of the mirror: it was necessary to show that he was carefully examining his outfit.

The chamberlains, who were supposed to carry the train of the royal robe, pretended to lift something from the floor and followed the king, stretching out their arms in front of them - they did not dare to show that they did not see anything.

And so the king walked through the streets under a luxurious canopy, and the people said:

Oh, what an outfit! What a luxurious robe! How wonderful it sits! Not a single person admitted that he did not see anything: no one wanted to pass himself off as a fool or a worthless person. Yes, not a single king’s outfit has ever caused such delight.

Why, he’s completely naked! - one little boy suddenly shouted.

Oh, listen to what the innocent baby says! - said his father, and everyone began to whisper the child’s words to each other.

Why, he's completely naked! - all the people finally shouted.

And the king felt terrible: it seemed to him that they were right, but it was necessary to complete the ceremony!

And he performed under his canopy even more majestic, and the chamberlains followed him, supporting a train that was not there.