# Indeed

By [xixi](https://paragraph.com/@xixi-3) · 2021-11-10

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"Indeed!" said all the courtiers; but they could not see anything,

for there was nothing to be seen.

    "Does it please your Majesty now to graciously undress," said
    

the swindlers, "that we may assist your Majesty in putting on the

new suit before the large looking-glass?"

    The emperor undressed, and the swindlers pretended to put the
    

new suit upon him, one piece after another; and the emperor looked

at himself in the glass from every side.

    "How well they look! How well they fit!" said all. "What a
    

beautiful pattern! What fine colours! That is a magnificent suit of

clothes!"

canopy, which was to be carried in the procession, were ready.

    "I am ready," said the emperor. "Does not my suit fit me
    

marvellously?" Then he turned once more to the looking-glass, that

people should think he admired his garments.

    The chamberlains, who were to carry the train, stretched their
    

hands to the ground as if they lifted up a train, and pretended to

hold something in their hands; they did not like people to know that

they could not see anything.

canopy, and all who saw him in the street and out of the windows

exclaimed: "Indeed, the emperor's new suit is incomparable! What a

long train he has! How well it fits him!" Nobody wished to let

others know he saw nothing, for then he would have been unfit for

his office or too stupid. Never emperor's clothes were more admired.

    "But he has nothing on at all," said a little child at last. "Good
    

heavens! listen to the voice of an innocent child," said the father,

and one whispered to the other what the child had said. "But he has

nothing on at all," cried at last the whole people. That made a deep

impression upon the emperor, for it seemed to him that they were

right; but he thought to himself, "Now I must bear up to the end." And

the chamberlains walked with still greater dignity, as if they carried

the train which did not exist.

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*Originally published on [xixi](https://paragraph.com/@xixi-3/indeed)*