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work. They seem to be working very hard. But where is the cloth on
the looms? Good heavens! I can’t see anything on the looms.

first Weaver: Ah, there you are, Sir. We were expecting you. Step
this way, step this way, if you please.
Not to be republished
second Weaver: [pointing to the loom and pretending to handle the
cloth they were supposed to be weaving] Don’t you like the pattern, Sir?
The circles and the flowing lines are good, aren’t they?
©KTBS
chief adviser: [completely puzzled] The circles and the flowing line?
Yes, yes, they are very good.

first Weaver: And the colours! We hope the Emperor will like the
dark red and sky blue colours on the gold background.

chief adviser: [more confused than before] Dark red! Sky blue!
And the gold background! I must remember this, yes. I’m sure that His
Majesty will like the colours very much.
second Weaver: You may tell His Majesty how hard we’ve been
working. But we need some more silk and gold thread to complete the
work, and some more jewels to sew into His Majesty’s new clothes.

Both The Weavers: [together] Thank you, Your Excellency.

chief adviser: [speaking to himself, as he leaves the room] Heaven
help me! There was nothing on their looms. But the weavers had said,
“Only wise men can see the clothes that we make. Those who cannot
see them are fools or unfit for their jobs. Am I a fool? Am I unfit for my
post? I must send my Special Assistant to see what really is happening
here.”
[After the Chief Adviser goes, the two weavers dance round the stage
for some time laughing at the success of their trick]

scEnE - iii

[Next day in the evening: A room in the palace]
[The Special Assistant enters the room. He shows a great surprise
when he sees the two weavers working on the two looms with no trace
of any cloth or thread on it]

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