The Emperor's New Clothes
I wish to make a confession. It was really my fault that put others in trouble. All the admiring ladies and women who strayed could not get to me so they settled for him. Ok, press conference over.
Once you are over with self-actualization, you become famous, wealthy and successful, you can feel like god. People fall on their knees for you, women fall for you, people clamour for your attention, want to be seen in your company, they flatter you and say things you would like to hear. Since you have been surrounded in such environment which you then enyoy and bask in it, the one person who speaks the truth to you sounded like the bad guy.
You could justify to yourself that it is a good trade off, I give you special treatment and you do my bidding or satisfy me in other ways. Fair dinkum. This is one end of the spectrum. At the other end, there are those who would be most willing to do that. I submit, kowtow, roll over and more and I get privileges, special treatments, advancements, etc. Some folks just love sucking up to power and they would make great vacuum cleaners. This is the way of the world and each time, they can feel justified about it.
Such relationships are not built on solid fundamentals with trust and respect but how one can make use of one another. It must not be mistaken for synergistic co-operation. Synergistic co-operations has no strings attached nor fear created. The moment one side feels there's a lop sided treatment in the relationship, a battle would be brewing. You dont' need an earthquake, just a tremor and it will collapse like ten pins. They are usually very ugly. This is a result of insecurity that some people will feel and therefore will indulge in unfortunately.
Some feels like god and enjoy the power over people. All these can very easily happen to you and me as well because we are all humans. Think of relationship from what we learn in kintergarden - the Three Little Pigs and how they build their homes for their homes are the kind of relationship you build.
You could justify to yourself that it is a good trade off, I give you special treatment and you do my bidding or satisfy me in other ways. Fair dinkum. This is one end of the spectrum. At the other end, there are those who would be most willing to do that. I submit, kowtow, roll over and more and I get privileges, special treatments, advancements, etc. Some folks just love sucking up to power and they would make great vacuum cleaners. This is the way of the world and each time, they can feel justified about it.
Such relationships are not built on solid fundamentals with trust and respect but how one can make use of one another. It must not be mistaken for synergistic co-operation. Synergistic co-operations has no strings attached nor fear created. The moment one side feels there's a lop sided treatment in the relationship, a battle would be brewing. You dont' need an earthquake, just a tremor and it will collapse like ten pins. They are usually very ugly. This is a result of insecurity that some people will feel and therefore will indulge in unfortunately.
Some feels like god and enjoy the power over people. All these can very easily happen to you and me as well because we are all humans. Think of relationship from what we learn in kintergarden - the Three Little Pigs and how they build their homes for their homes are the kind of relationship you build.
It is also better to always be humble and spend your time at the right places with the right people throughout your journey in life. You can't say that you can do what you want and when you are successful then you start to be nice. No matter how successful you are, there may come a time when you are slipping down a slippery slope and everyone who walks past love giving you a kick up your back side or a knock or your head or a shove to aid you in quickening the pace on your way down.
Things that happened 6 years or 22 years ago can suddenly popped up to haunt you like from a sex changed masseuse. Fortunately Jack is now 50 and not 37 or she might end up for abusing a minor at the time. If he see a guy you think is a jerk being beaten up by two persons will you join in to thrash further since it is a good opportunity?
Things that happened 6 years or 22 years ago can suddenly popped up to haunt you like from a sex changed masseuse. Fortunately Jack is now 50 and not 37 or she might end up for abusing a minor at the time. If he see a guy you think is a jerk being beaten up by two persons will you join in to thrash further since it is a good opportunity?
Finally, do you want to be a subject of such arrangements? Only you can answer that. As I have mentioned previously, our human eyes can only see a very short distance, sort of like instant gratification. If you drive, how often when on a straight road at a cross road junction, you get a turning vehicle dashing across when you were already pretty close and after honking furiously after a near collision you glance at your rear mirror and you will notice that after you, there were no other vehicle behind or in sight. So what makes such an idiot dash across?
The guy who cheats is similar because as of now, he is doing fine as everything is under control. He doesn't see that he is cheating his wife, children and family. He doesn't believe that just because he cheated a bit, he would go on to cheat his friends or in business but this is precisely how it works. You will continuously lie and cheat even on small things and one day you begin to believe your own lies. Others want to get quick fixes and say ok, let you abuse me for awhile then see what happens, there are still goodies around.
The guy who cheats is similar because as of now, he is doing fine as everything is under control. He doesn't see that he is cheating his wife, children and family. He doesn't believe that just because he cheated a bit, he would go on to cheat his friends or in business but this is precisely how it works. You will continuously lie and cheat even on small things and one day you begin to believe your own lies. Others want to get quick fixes and say ok, let you abuse me for awhile then see what happens, there are still goodies around.
Therefore, it is obviously better to treat people with respect and truth. "As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit." decreed on Desiderata.
Haven't you read about those folks who won $50-$100 million in lottery and their lives became worse. Some ended up divorce, their children changed. They hid to avoid their relatives or they spent all their money. So, if you have not achieved the ultimate success yet, be patient. You may not be ready and God is preparing for you that day and your current struggle is what that is required to keep you going strong.
Haven't you read about those folks who won $50-$100 million in lottery and their lives became worse. Some ended up divorce, their children changed. They hid to avoid their relatives or they spent all their money. So, if you have not achieved the ultimate success yet, be patient. You may not be ready and God is preparing for you that day and your current struggle is what that is required to keep you going strong.
We can learn everyday in life on any issues. Even by recalling simple stories when you have read as a youngster from the likes of Hans Christain Anderson can be very meaningful.
Long time ago, there lived an Emperor who was very fond of fine new clothes and he would spent vast sums of money on it. To him, clothes meant more than anything else in the world. He took no interest in his army nor did he care to go to the theatre or to travel or go out unless it was to display his new clothes. He had different robes for every single hour of the day. In the great city where he lived life was happy and strangers were always coming and going.
Everyone knew about the Emperor's passion for clothes. One day two swindlers, acting like themselves weavers, arrived. They declared that they could make the most magnificent cloth that one could ever imagine; cloth of most beautiful colours and elaborate patterns. Not only was the material so beautiful, but the clothes made from it had the special power of being invisible to everyone who was stupid or not fit for his post. "What a splendid idea," the Emperor thought. "What useful clothes to have. If I had such a suit of clothes I could know at once which of my people is stupid or unfit for his post."
Everyone knew about the Emperor's passion for clothes. One day two swindlers, acting like themselves weavers, arrived. They declared that they could make the most magnificent cloth that one could ever imagine; cloth of most beautiful colours and elaborate patterns. Not only was the material so beautiful, but the clothes made from it had the special power of being invisible to everyone who was stupid or not fit for his post. "What a splendid idea," the Emperor thought. "What useful clothes to have. If I had such a suit of clothes I could know at once which of my people is stupid or unfit for his post."
So the Emperor gave the them huge sums of money and the two weavers set up their works in the palace. They demanded the finest thread from the best silk and the finest gold and they pretended to be working but there was nothing on the looms. The frames were empty. They stuffed the silk and gold thread into their bags and sat pretending to weave, and continued to work at the empty loom till late every night. Night after night they went home with their money and their bags full of the finest silk and gold thread and day after day they pretended to work.
By now the Emperor was eager to know how much of the cloth was finished, and would have loved to see for himself but he was feeling uneasy. "Suppose I am unable to see the cloth. That would mean I am either stupid or unfit for my post. That cannot be," he thought, but all the same he decided to send for his faithful old minister to check out. "He will best be able to see how the cloth looks. He is far from stupid and splendid at his work." So the faithful old minister went into the hall where the two weavers sat beside the empty looms pretending to work with all their might. The Emperor's minister opened his eyes wide. "I see nothing at all, nothing." But he didn't say so.
By now the Emperor was eager to know how much of the cloth was finished, and would have loved to see for himself but he was feeling uneasy. "Suppose I am unable to see the cloth. That would mean I am either stupid or unfit for my post. That cannot be," he thought, but all the same he decided to send for his faithful old minister to check out. "He will best be able to see how the cloth looks. He is far from stupid and splendid at his work." So the faithful old minister went into the hall where the two weavers sat beside the empty looms pretending to work with all their might. The Emperor's minister opened his eyes wide. "I see nothing at all, nothing." But he didn't say so.
The two swindlers asked him to go nearer and asked him how he liked it. "Are not the colors exquisite, and see how intricate are the patterns," they said. The poor old minister stared but still he could see nothing, for there was nothing. But he did not dare to say so. "Nobody must find out,"' he thought. "I must never confess that I could not see the stuff." "Well," said one of the swindlers: "You do not say whether it pleases you." "Oh, it is beautiful-most excellent, to be sure. Such a beautiful design, such exquisite colors.
I shall tell the Emperor how enchanted) I am with the cloth." "We are very glad to hear that," said the weavers, and they started to describe the colors and patterns in great detail. The old minister listened very carefully so that he could repeat the description to the Emperor. They also demanded more money and more gold thread, saying that they needed it to finish the cloth. Soon after this the Emperor sent another official to see how the men were getting on and to ask whether the cloth would soon be ready. The same happened with him as with the minister.
He stood and stared, but as there was nothing to be seen. "Is not the material beautiful?" said the swindlers, and again they talked of 'the patterns and the exquisite colors. "Stupid I certainly am not," thought the official. "Then I must be unfit for my post. But nobody shall know that I could not see the material." Then he praised the material he did not see and declared that he was delighted with the colors and the marvelous patterns.
I shall tell the Emperor how enchanted) I am with the cloth." "We are very glad to hear that," said the weavers, and they started to describe the colors and patterns in great detail. The old minister listened very carefully so that he could repeat the description to the Emperor. They also demanded more money and more gold thread, saying that they needed it to finish the cloth. Soon after this the Emperor sent another official to see how the men were getting on and to ask whether the cloth would soon be ready. The same happened with him as with the minister.
He stood and stared, but as there was nothing to be seen. "Is not the material beautiful?" said the swindlers, and again they talked of 'the patterns and the exquisite colors. "Stupid I certainly am not," thought the official. "Then I must be unfit for my post. But nobody shall know that I could not see the material." Then he praised the material he did not see and declared that he was delighted with the colors and the marvelous patterns.
Everybody in the city had heard of the secret cloth and were talking about the splendid material. The Emperor was curious to see the costly stuff for himself while it was still there. Accompanied by a number of selected ministers, among whom were the two poor ministers who had already been before, the Emperor went to the weavers. There they sat in front of the empty looms, weaving more diligently than ever, yet without a single thread upon the looms. "Is not the cloth magnificent?" said the two ministers. "See here, the splendid pattern, the glorious colors."
Each pointed to the empty loom. Each thought that the other could see the material. "What can this mean?" said the Emperor to himself. "This is terrible. Am I so stupid? Am I not fit to be Emperor? This is disastrous," he thought. But aloud he said, "Oh, the cloth is perfectly wonderful. It has a splendid pattern and such charming colors." And he nodded his approval and smiled appreciatively and stared at the empty looms.
He would not, he could not, admit he saw nothing, when his two ministers had praised the material so highly. And all his men looked and looked at the empty looms. Not one of them saw anything there at all. Nevertheless, they all said, "Oh, the cloth is magnificent." They advised the Emperor to have some new clothes made from this splendid material to wear in the great procession the following day. "Magnificent." "Excellent." "Exquisite," went from mouth to mouth and everyone was pleased.
Each pointed to the empty loom. Each thought that the other could see the material. "What can this mean?" said the Emperor to himself. "This is terrible. Am I so stupid? Am I not fit to be Emperor? This is disastrous," he thought. But aloud he said, "Oh, the cloth is perfectly wonderful. It has a splendid pattern and such charming colors." And he nodded his approval and smiled appreciatively and stared at the empty looms.
He would not, he could not, admit he saw nothing, when his two ministers had praised the material so highly. And all his men looked and looked at the empty looms. Not one of them saw anything there at all. Nevertheless, they all said, "Oh, the cloth is magnificent." They advised the Emperor to have some new clothes made from this splendid material to wear in the great procession the following day. "Magnificent." "Excellent." "Exquisite," went from mouth to mouth and everyone was pleased.
The rascals sat up all that night and worked, burning even more candles, so that everyone could see how busy they were making the suit of clothes ready for the procession. Each of them had a great big pair of scissors and they cut in the air, pretending to cut the cloth with them, and sewed with needles without any thread. There was great excitement in the palace and the Emperor's clothes were the talk of the town. At last the weavers declared that the clothes were ready.
Then the Emperor, with the most distinguished gentlemen of the court, came to the weavers. Each of the swindlers lifted up an arm as if he were holding something. "Here are Your Majesty's trousers," said one. "This is Your Majesty's mantle," said the other. "The whole suit is as light as a spider's web. Why, you might almost feel as if you had nothing on, but that is just the beauty of it." "Magnificent," cried the ministers, but they could see nothing at all.
Indeed there was nothing to be seen. "Now if Your Imperial Majesty would graciously consent to take off your clothes," said the weavers, "we could fit on the new ones." So the Emperor laid aside his clothes and the swindlers pretended to help him piece by piece into the new ones they were supposed to have made. The Emperor turned from side to side in front of the long glass as if admiring himself. "How well they fit. How splendid Your Majesty's robes look: What gorgeous colors!" they all said.
Then the Emperor, with the most distinguished gentlemen of the court, came to the weavers. Each of the swindlers lifted up an arm as if he were holding something. "Here are Your Majesty's trousers," said one. "This is Your Majesty's mantle," said the other. "The whole suit is as light as a spider's web. Why, you might almost feel as if you had nothing on, but that is just the beauty of it." "Magnificent," cried the ministers, but they could see nothing at all.
Indeed there was nothing to be seen. "Now if Your Imperial Majesty would graciously consent to take off your clothes," said the weavers, "we could fit on the new ones." So the Emperor laid aside his clothes and the swindlers pretended to help him piece by piece into the new ones they were supposed to have made. The Emperor turned from side to side in front of the long glass as if admiring himself. "How well they fit. How splendid Your Majesty's robes look: What gorgeous colors!" they all said.
"The canopy which is to be held over Your Majesty in the procession is waiting," announced the Lord High Chamberlain. "I am quite ready," announced the Emperor, and he looked at himself again in the mirror, turning from side to side as if carefully examining his handsome attire. The courtiers who were to carry the train felt about on the ground pretending to lift it: they walked on solemnly pretending to be carrying it.
Nothing would have persuaded them to admit they could not see the clothes, for fear they would be thought stupid or unfit for their posts. And so the Emperor set off under the high canopy, at the head of the great procession. It was a great success. All the people standing by and at the windows cheered and cried, "Oh, how splendid are the Emperor's new clothes. What a magnificent train! How well the clothes fit!" No one dared to admit that he couldn't see anything, for who would want it to be known that he was either stupid or unfit for his post?
None of the Emperor's clothes had ever met with such success. 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. Everyone saw it but was afraid to say it.
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. Everyone saw it but was afraid to say it.
So what is the moral of the story?
The moral captures the essence of one of the human foibles that is destroying our civilization: the willingness to accept a lie, rather than risk embarrassment; to behave stupidly, rather than appear stupid. People who point out the emptiness of the pretensions of powerful people and institutions are often compared to the child who says that the emperor has no clothes. Well, saying so can get you executed!
Comments