An instructive "fairy tale" involving charlatans who convince the emperor, his courtiers, and most of the people of the kingdom that only a fool would not be able to see the elegant lines and patterns in the miraculous fabric of the Emperor's New Clothes. The "tailors" weave invisible threads on a loom, cut the invisible fabric, sew invisible clothes and have fittings for the emperor. Of course the fraudulent tailors collect handsome fees for their marvelous invention. The courtiers, and even the emperor, are not so sure that they themselves are not fools, and the invisible fabric seems to confirm the worst of their own fears. As the emperor parades through the streets, all who fear that they are fools, and fear being exposed for their folly, profess great admiration of the lovely suit of clothes. Only one child has no fear of exposure, and proclaims the evident truth that the emperor has no clothes.
This has become a vehicle for a great deal of public commentary ever since. Any abuse of public trust can be compared to the story, and expressions of doubt about the honesty and wisdom of public figures often refer in some way to the Emperor's New Clothes. All of us can be led astray by fear, greed, dishonesty and pride. Honesty and humility protect us from those who trade in dishonesty.