Week 15 Story: The Emperor's Old Suit

There once was a wealthy land governed by a wealthy emperor. The emperor prided himself in his intelligence and efficiency. Due to this, he took no time to change his clothes and wore the same outfit every day of his rule. His chiefs and councilors praised his brilliance and dedication. BUT they were appalled by his dressing habits. His royal robes were once bright and colorful, but now were dingy and soiled. They smelled and the royal advisors could not stand to be within three feet of the emperor and his old robes. 

Now in the land came two swindlers. They impressed the subjects of the kingdom with flashes of magic and illusion. They heard of the emperor and his smelly clothes. They approached his court with the promise of a magical bath bomb that they could throw at the emperor to make him clean again. The court was eager to get their hands on this bath bomb. They agreed to pay whatever price the two swindlers asked for. 

The swindlers set up shop. They asked for gold and diamonds. They knew how to dazzle and trick their audience. They made fireworks and smoke appear as they pretended to make the bath bomb. They used crushed flowers to create an amazing aroma. The court was excited about the potential of this bath bomb. The court heard the trumpets of the emperor’s caravan and rushed the swindlers. The two swindlers finished their magical bath bomb and gave it to the court, asking only for a few more pounds of rubies and emeralds. The swindlers left in a hurry, leaving a spherical powdery ball in the hands of the chief advisor. As the emperor walked into his courtyard, the chief advisor threw the bath bomb at the smelly emperor. Instead of a clean, the emperor stood in the courtyard covered in flour with a very angry look on his face. 

Authors Note: I decided to remix the story of the Emperor's New Suit. In this version, the emperor only wears and old suit and his advisors appeal to the swindlers for a bath bomb that will magically clean the emperor and his smelly clothes. 

Bibliography: The Emperor's New Suit by Hans Christian Anderson

The Emperor's New Suit. Source: Phrases