STORY # 1

THE EMPEROR NEW CLOTHES

Hans Christian Andersen

CHARACTERS:
EMPEROR
TWO WEAVERS
MINISTER
EMPEROR`S FRIEND
COURTIERS
OFFICER
PEOPLE IN THE STREETS
LITTLE CHILD
LITTLE CHILD FATHER

SCRIPT:

NARRATOR: Many years ago there lived an Emperor who cared so much for fine clothes that
he spent all his money on them. He had a new coat for every hour of the day and spent his time
riding through the streets so that everybody could see his beautiful clothes. One day there came
to the city two rogues who set themselves up as weavers.

WEAVERS: We know how to weave the most wonderful cloth in the world. The patterns and
the colors are marvelously beautiful!

NARRATOR: But they said that the cloth could not be seen by any one who was stupid or unfit
for the emperor`s office.

EMPEROR: I must have some clothes made from this cloth. When I wear them, I shall find out
what men in my empire are not fit for their places. I shall know the clever men from the dunces.
Those weavers must be brought to me at once.

NARRATOR: So the weavers were brought to the emperor´s presence.

WEAVERS: Yes, your majesty. What can we do for you?.

EMPEROR: Here, take this sum of money, but you must work without delay.

NARRATOR: The rogues immediately put up to great looms, and pretended to be working. They
called for the finest silks and the brightest gold, but these they put into their pockets. They
worked steadily at the empty looms until far into the night

EMPEROR: I can hear the rattling of the looms. I must see my wonderful clothes!.
NARRATOR: He decided to send some one to find how the weavers were getting on. But he
remembered that no one who was stupid or was unfit for his office could see the cloth.

EMPEROR: I will send my faithful old Minister to the weavers. He is a very clever man, and no
one is more worthy of his office than he.

NARRATOR: So the good old Minister went into the room where the two rogues sat working at
the empty looms. He stared and stared, and opened his eyes wide.

MINISTER: I can’t see a thing.

NARRATOR: But he said nothing at all.

WEAVERS: Get closer. Isn’t this a beautiful pattern?. And the colors, aren’t they wonderful?.

NARRATOR: And they pointed to the empty looms. The poor old Minister put on his spectacles,
and bent over the looms, but he could see nothing, for there was nothing to see.

MINISTER: Is it possible that I am unfit for my office?. Certainly no one must know it. I will
never say that I cannot see the stuff.

WEAVERS: Well, sir, what do you think of it?.

MINISTER: Oh, it is beautiful. The colors are great and the pattern is very fine. I shall tell the
Emperor that I am much pleased with your work.

WEAVERS: We are glad indeed to hear you say so.