Many years ago there lived an emperor. He loved new clothes very much. He spent all his money on them. He had a new coat for every hour of the day. One day two strangers came to the city. They said they were weavers. They told everyone about a magic cloth. This cloth was very beautiful. But it was also strange. Stupid people could not see it. Bad people could not see it too. Only clever and good people could see the cloth. The emperor heard about this magic cloth. He wanted it at once. «I will know who is clever and who is stupid», he thought. He gave the two men a lot of gold. He gave them silk and fine thread. The men sat at empty looms. They worked day and night. But the looms were empty. There was nothing on them. After a few days the emperor wanted to see the work. But he was afraid. «What if I see nothing?» he thought. So he sent his old minister. The old minister was honest and wise. He went to the weavers. He looked at the looms. He saw nothing at all. He was very afraid. «I must not say this», he thought. «People will think I am stupid». So he told the emperor about the beautiful colours. He told him about the lovely patterns. The emperor was very happy. He sent another man. This man also saw nothing. But he also told a lie. He said the cloth was wonderful. Soon everyone in the city talked about the magic cloth.