Naked Monarch
Here’s a piece I adapted for Ciello’s (my girlfriend) Grade One class. To those who like children’s stories. Enjoy!
An emperor ruled once in a kingdom
named Zul
Who cared more for his riches than
the land that he ruled
Among his things what he loved the
most
Are dozens and dozens of his
beautiful clothes
There were gold ones and silver
ones and ones made of silk
There were crimson ones and purple
ones and one white as milk
There were robes and armor and
tunics alike
Ones smooth others rough and even
one with spikes!
One day a pair of men walked into
town
Offering to make him the grandest
clothes to match his crown
It will be made from the best of
threads they said
Wide eyed and tempted the emperor
nodded his head
The took their measurements of him
from tip to toe
Then they cut and they weaved and
they sew sew sew!
The men, not even a moment took
some rest
For the new emperor’s garment
should be the best
We are done at last! Said the men
They gave it to the emperor and
fitted him then
They clothed him with nothing and
told the emperor this
Only great people can see how good the
robe is
The emperor looked in the mirror
and knew something amiss
But didn’t say a word to dim his
greatness
Though he was naked and his body
was cold
He said, I shall walk in the
streets for all to behold!
He strode in the streets with head
held high
People said nothing of his
nakedness, not even a sigh
They were afraid something will be
said of them
They can’t appreciate greatness,
that they’re simple men
But an innocent child pointed at
him and said
He is naked all over but the crown
on his head!
The people jeered and laughed at
this new realization
Too proud to admit it, the emperor
just walked on and on
