English Through Stories #1: The Emperor’s New Clothes (B1–B2)

Author: Tutor Martin

Date: 20 September 2026

English Through Stories

Hello folks, at Think English Club we love English vocabulary, new words, new expressions, and reading comprehension. We feel a real sense of achievement when we understand the meaning of something, know how to use it, and can teach it to others.

For many learners, reading and listening are difficult skills. When I was learning English myself, I struggled with listening exercises and missed so many words. Today, we have new technology that can help us with exactly this.

So let's try our first story: The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen, published in 1837. In this blog post, you'll find the full story, so you can listen and read at the same time and check any vocabulary you're unsure of. There are also sections covering the main characters, key expressions, and unusual or old-fashioned words, some of which might look like spelling mistakes at first glance. Finally, I've added 10 questions about the story so you can practise your reading comprehension, along with my answers so you can check your understanding.

Let me know if you enjoy this format of learning!

The Emperor's New Clothes (Full Story)

Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes. He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court. One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance. They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns, the clothes manufactured from which should have the wonderful property of remaining invisible to everyone who was unfit for the office he held, or who was extraordinarily simple in character.

“These must, indeed, be splendid clothes!” thought the Emperor. “Had I such a suit, I might at once find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office, and also be able to distinguish the wise from the foolish! This stuff must be woven for me immediately.” And he caused large sums of money to be given to both the weavers in order that they might begin their work directly.

So the two pretended weavers set up two looms, and affected to work very busily, though in reality they did nothing at all. They asked for the most delicate silk and the purest gold thread; put both into their own knapsacks; and then continued their pretended work at the empty looms until late at night.

“I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my cloth,” said the Emperor to himself, after some little time had elapsed; he was, however, rather embarrassed, when he remembered that a simpleton, or one unfit for his office, would be unable to see the manufacture. To be sure, he thought he had nothing to risk in his own person; but yet, he would prefer sending somebody else, to bring him intelligence about the weavers, and their work, before he troubled himself in the affair. All the people throughout the city had heard of the wonderful property the cloth was to possess; and all were anxious to learn how wise, or how ignorant, their neighbors might prove to be.

“I will send my faithful old minister to the weavers,” said the Emperor at last, after some deliberation, “he will be best able to see how the cloth looks; for he is a man of sense, and no one can be more suitable for his office than he is.”

So the faithful old minister went into the hall, where the knaves were working with all their might, at their empty looms. “What can be the meaning of this?” thought the old man, opening his eyes very wide. “I cannot discover the least bit of thread on the looms.” However, he did not express his thoughts aloud.

The impostors requested him very courteously to be so good as to come nearer their looms; and then asked him whether the design pleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful; at the same time pointing to the empty frames. The poor old minister looked and looked, he could not discover anything on the looms, for a very good reason, viz: there was nothing there. “What!” thought he again. “Is it possible that I am a simpleton? I have never thought so myself; and no one must know it now if I am so. Can it be, that I am unfit for my office? No, that must not be said either. I will never confess that I could not see the stuff.”

“Well, Sir Minister!” said one of the knaves, still pretending to work. “You do not say whether the stuff pleases you.”

“Oh, it is excellent!” replied the old minister, looking at the loom through his spectacles. “This pattern, and the colors, yes, I will tell the Emperor without delay, how very beautiful I think them.”

“We shall be much obliged to you,” said the impostors, and then they named the different colors and described the pattern of the pretended stuff. The old minister listened attentively to their words, in order that he might repeat them to the Emperor; and then the knaves asked for more silk and gold, saying that it was necessary to complete what they had begun. However, they put all that was given them into their knapsacks; and continued to work with as much apparent diligence as before at their empty looms.

The Emperor now sent another officer of his court to see how the men were getting on, and to ascertain whether the cloth would soon be ready. It was just the same with this gentleman as with the minister; he surveyed the looms on all sides, but could see nothing at all but the empty frames.

“Does not the stuff appear as beautiful to you, as it did to my lord the minister?” asked the impostors of the Emperor's second ambassador; at the same time making the same gestures as before, and talking of the design and colors which were not there.

“I certainly am not stupid!” thought the messenger. “It must be, that I am not fit for my good, profitable office! That is very odd; however, no one shall know anything about it.” And accordingly he praised the stuff he could not see, and declared that he was delighted with both colors and patterns. “Indeed, please your Imperial Majesty,” said he to his sovereign when he returned, “the cloth which the weavers are preparing is extraordinarily magnificent.”

The whole city was talking of the splendid cloth which the Emperor had ordered to be woven at his own expense.

And now the Emperor himself wished to see the costly manufacture, while it was still in the loom. Accompanied by a select number of officers of the court, among whom were the two honest men who had already admired the cloth, he went to the crafty impostors, who, as soon as they were aware of the Emperor's approach, went on working more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a single thread through the looms.

“Is not the work absolutely magnificent?” said the two officers of the crown, already mentioned. “If your Majesty will only be pleased to look at it! What a splendid design! What glorious colors!” and at the same time they pointed to the empty frames; for they imagined that everyone else could see this exquisite piece of workmanship.

“How is this?” said the Emperor to himself. “I can see nothing! This is indeed a terrible affair! Am I a simpleton, or am I unfit to be an Emperor? That would be the worst thing that could happen—Oh! the cloth is charming,” said he, aloud. “It has my complete approbation.” And he smiled most graciously, and looked closely at the empty looms; for on no account would he say that he could not see what two of the officers of his court had praised so much. All his retinue now strained their eyes, hoping to discover something on the looms, but they could see no more than the others; nevertheless, they all exclaimed, “Oh, how beautiful!” and advised his majesty to have some new clothes made from this splendid material, for the approaching procession. “Magnificent! Charming! Excellent!” resounded on all sides; and everyone was uncommonly gay. The Emperor shared in the general satisfaction; and presented the impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood, to be worn in their button-holes, and the title of “Gentlemen Weavers.”

The rogues sat up the whole of the night before the day on which the procession was to take place, and had sixteen lights burning, so that everyone might see how anxious they were to finish the Emperor's new suit. They pretended to roll the cloth off the looms; cut the air with their scissors; and sewed with needles without any thread in them. “See!” cried they, at last. “The Emperor's new clothes are ready!”

And now the Emperor, with all the grandees of his court, came to the weavers; and the rogues raised their arms, as if in the act of holding something up, saying, “Here are your Majesty's trousers! Here is the scarf! Here is the mantle! The whole suit is as light as a cobweb; one might fancy one has nothing at all on, when dressed in it; that, however, is the great virtue of this delicate cloth.”

“Yes indeed!” said all the courtiers, although not one of them could see anything of this exquisite manufacture.

“If your Imperial Majesty will be graciously pleased to take off your clothes, we will fit on the new suit, in front of the looking glass.”

The Emperor was accordingly undressed, and the rogues pretended to array him in his new suit; the Emperor turning round, from side to side, before the looking glass.

“How splendid his Majesty looks in his new clothes, and how well they fit!” everyone cried out. “What a design! What colors! These are indeed royal robes!”

“The canopy which is to be borne over your Majesty, in the procession, is waiting,” announced the chief master of the ceremonies.

“I am quite ready,” answered the Emperor. “Do my new clothes fit well?” asked he, turning himself round again before the looking glass, in order that he might appear to be examining his handsome suit.

The lords of the bedchamber, who were to carry his Majesty's train felt about on the ground, as if they were lifting up the ends of the mantle; and pretended to be carrying something; for they would by no means betray anything like simplicity, or unfitness for their office.

So now the Emperor walked under his high canopy in the midst of the procession, through the streets of his capital; and all the people standing by, and those at the windows, cried out, “Oh! How beautiful are our Emperor's new clothes! What a magnificent train there is to the mantle; and how gracefully the scarf hangs!” in short, no one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes; because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton or unfit for his office. Certainly, none of the Emperor's various suits, had ever made so great an impression, as these invisible ones.

“But the Emperor has nothing at all on!” said a little child.

“Listen to the voice of innocence!” exclaimed his father; and what the child had said was whispered from one to another.

“But he has nothing at all on!” at last cried out all the people. The Emperor was vexed, for he knew that the people were right; but he thought the procession must go on now! And the lords of the bedchamber took greater pains than ever, to appear holding up a train, although, in reality, there was no train to hold.

Listen to the Story

Characters in the Story

The Emperor

The Emperor is extremely interested in clothes and appearance. He spends his money on clothing and cares about how he looks in front of other people. His concern about appearing foolish makes him vulnerable to the weavers' deception.

The Two Weavers

The two weavers are dishonest men who pretend to possess a special ability. They understand the Emperor's weakness and use it to deceive him and the people around him.

The Old Minister

The old minister cannot see the cloth, but he is afraid to admit it. He worries that others will think he is a simpleton or unfit for his position, so he pretends to see the cloth.

The Second Official

The second official behaves in much the same way as the minister. He cannot see the cloth but praises it because he does not want to appear foolish or unfit for his office.

The Courtiers and Officials

The courtiers continue the deception by agreeing with one another. Each person is influenced by what the others say.

The Little Child

The child simply says what he sees:

“But the Emperor has nothing at all on!”

The child's honesty breaks the illusion that everyone else has accepted.

What Is the Story About?

Vanity

The Emperor cares excessively about his clothes and appearance.

Fear of Looking Foolish

Several characters are afraid to admit that they cannot see the cloth because they think they will be judged negatively.

Social Pressure

People follow the opinions of others instead of trusting their own observations.

Honesty

The little child does not worry about status or other people's opinions. He simply says what he sees.

Key Vocabulary and Expressions

1) be fond of something

Meaning: to like something very much.

“There was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes…”

Example: She is very fond of classical music.

2) trouble oneself

Meaning: to make an effort to do something; to bother doing something.

“He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers…”

Example: Don't trouble yourself about the arrangements.

3) the chase

Meaning: hunting.

“…nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase…”

This is an old-fashioned use. In modern English, the chase is more commonly understood as the act of chasing someone or something.

4) afford / afforded

Meaning: to provide or give an opportunity or benefit.

“…except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.”

Here, afforded means provided. This is a formal use that is still possible in modern English.

5) make one's appearance

Meaning: to appear or arrive, especially somewhere for the first time.

“One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance.”

This expression is somewhat formal or literary.

6) give out that

Meaning: to say or claim that something is true.

“They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs…”

This is an old-fashioned expression. In modern English, we would normally use claim, say, or announce.

7) stuff / stuffs

Meaning: cloth or fabric.

“…they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors…”

“I will never confess that I could not see the stuff.”

In this story, stuff means cloth or material. Stuffs is an older countable use meaning different types of cloth or fabric.

In modern English, we would normally say fabric, fabrics, or types of fabric.

8) elaborate

Meaning: very detailed, carefully designed, or complicated.

“…of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns…”

Example: She wore an elaborate costume.

9) unfit for

Meaning: not suitable or not capable of doing something.

“…everyone who was unfit for the office he held…”

Example: He was considered unfit for the position.

10) simple in character / simpleton

Meaning: simple in character means lacking good judgement or intelligence; a simpleton is a foolish person.

“…or who was extraordinarily simple in character.”

“Is it possible that I am a simpleton?”

Both expressions are old-fashioned. Simpleton is mainly useful for recognising older or literary English.

11) at once

Meaning: immediately.

“This stuff must be woven for me immediately.”

“I might at once find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office…”

At once is still common in modern English.

12) distinguish A from B

Meaning: to recognise the difference between two people or things.

“…and also be able to distinguish the wise from the foolish!”

Example: It can be difficult to distinguish fact from opinion.

13) set up

Meaning: to put something in position so that it is ready to be used.

“So the two pretended weavers set up two looms…”

This is a very common modern phrasal verb.

14) pretend to do something

Meaning: to behave as if something is true when it is not.

“They pretended to roll the cloth off the looms…”

Example: He pretended to understand the instructions.

15) get on with something

Meaning: to make progress with something.

“I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my cloth…”

This is still very common in British English.

16) be unable to

Meaning: not be able to do something.

“…a simpleton, or one unfit for his office, would be unable to see the manufacture.”

Example: I was unable to attend the meeting.

17) express one's thoughts

Meaning: to communicate what one is thinking.

“However, he did not express his thoughts aloud.”

Example: She found it difficult to express her thoughts clearly.

18) be obliged to someone

Meaning: to be grateful to someone; in this context, to thank someone formally.

“We shall be much obliged to you…”

This is formal and somewhat old-fashioned. In everyday English, thank you or we'd appreciate it would usually be more natural.

19) as before

Meaning: in the same way as earlier.

“…and continued to work with as much apparent diligence as before at their empty looms.”

This expression is still used in modern English, especially in formal writing.

20) on all sides

Meaning: from every direction or by everyone around.

“…he surveyed the looms on all sides…”

The expression is still used today.

21) on no account

Meaning: under no circumstances.

“For on no account would he say that he could not see…”

This is still useful in modern English, although it sounds relatively formal.

22) take pains to do something

Meaning: to make a great effort to do something carefully.

“And the lords of the bedchamber took greater pains than ever, to appear holding up a train…”

This is a formal expression. In everyday English, we might say make a great effort to.

23) make an impression

Meaning: to create a strong effect on someone.

“Certainly, none of the Emperor's various suits, had ever made so great an impression, as these invisible ones.”

Example: Her speech made a strong impression on the audience.

24) have the property of

Meaning: to have a particular quality or characteristic.

“…the clothes manufactured from which should have the wonderful property of remaining invisible…”

This is formal and is particularly common when describing the characteristics of materials, objects, or substances.

Unusual and Old-Fashioned Words

The following words are useful mainly for understanding the story. Some are still used today, while others sound old-fashioned or literary.

1) knave

Meaning: a dishonest or deceitful man.

“Well, Sir Minister!” said one of the knaves, still pretending to work.

Knave is an old-fashioned word. In the story, it refers to one of the two dishonest weavers.

2) rogue

Meaning: a dishonest or untrustworthy person.

“The rogues sat up the whole of the night before the day on which the procession was to take place…”

Rogue still exists in modern English, but this use has an old-fashioned or literary feel.

3) impostor

Meaning: a person who pretends to have an identity, ability, or position that they do not really have.

“The impostors requested him very courteously to be so good as to come nearer their looms…”

Impostor is still a useful modern English word.

4) stuff / stuffs

Meaning: cloth or fabric.

“They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns…”

“I will never confess that I could not see the stuff.”

In this story, stuff means cloth or fabric. Stuffs is an older countable use meaning different types of cloth or fabric.

In modern English, we would normally say fabric, fabrics, or types of fabric.

5) loom

Meaning: a machine or frame used for weaving cloth.

“So the two pretended weavers set up two looms…”

Loom is still used in modern English, especially when talking about weaving and textiles.

6) riband

Meaning: ribbon.

“…and presented the impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood…”

Riband is an old form of ribbon. It is mainly useful to recognise when reading older texts.

7) grandees

Meaning: important or high-ranking people.

“And now the Emperor, with all the grandees of his court, came to the weavers…”

Grandees is a formal or literary word and is uncommon in everyday English.

8) retinue

Meaning: a group of people accompanying an important person.

“All his retinue now strained their eyes…”

Retinue is still a valid English word, but it is relatively formal.

9) dress

Meaning in this context: clothing.

“He spent all his money in dress.”

Here, dress means clothing in general. This is an older use. In modern English, we would normally say clothes or clothing.

10) the chase

Meaning: hunting.

“He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase…”

This is an old-fashioned use. Modern English normally uses hunting in this context.

11) give out that

Meaning: to claim or announce that something is true.

“They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns…”

This expression is old-fashioned. In modern English, claim, say, or announce would usually be more natural.

12) viz.

Meaning: namely; that is to say.

“…for a very good reason, viz: there was nothing there.”

Viz. is a formal abbreviation meaning namely or that is to say. It is mainly useful to recognise rather than use.

13) afforded

Meaning in this context: provided or gave.

“…except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes.”

Here, afforded him means provided him with. This is a formal use of afford.

14) simpleton

Meaning: a foolish or easily deceived person.

“Is it possible that I am a simpleton?”

Simpleton is now mainly old-fashioned or literary.

15) Sir Minister

“Well, Sir Minister!” said one of the knaves, still pretending to work.

Sir Minister is a formal, old-fashioned way of addressing the minister. It is not a normal form of address in modern everyday English.

16) Imperial Majesty

“Indeed, please your Imperial Majesty,” said he to his sovereign when he returned…

Imperial Majesty is part of the highly formal language used when addressing or referring to an emperor.

17) lords of the bedchamber

Meaning: senior attendants or officials serving a monarch.

“The lords of the bedchamber, who were to carry his Majesty's train…”

This is a historical expression connected with a royal household.

18) train

Meaning in this context: the long part of a robe or dress that trails behind the wearer.

“The lords of the bedchamber, who were to carry his Majesty's train…”

Here, train has nothing to do with railway transport. It refers to the long piece of fabric attached to a ceremonial robe.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What was the Emperor especially fond of?
   The Emperor was especially fond of new clothes. He spent all his money on his appearance and clothes.

2. What did the two rogues claim they could make for the Emperor?
   They claimed that they could weave beautiful cloth with magnificent colours and elaborate patterns. They also claimed that the cloth was invisible to people who were unfit for their office or simple in character.

3. What special property did the weavers say their cloth had?
   The cloth was supposed to be invisible to anyone who was unfit for their position or simple in character.

4. Why did the old minister pretend that he could see the cloth?
   The old minister was afraid that people would think he was unfit for his office or foolish. Although he could see nothing, he pretended that the cloth was beautiful.

5. Why did the second official also pretend to see the cloth?
   He was afraid of being considered a simpleton or unfit for his office. He therefore followed the old minister's example and pretended to see the cloth.

6. Why did the Emperor decide to wear the new clothes even though he could not see them?
   The Emperor was afraid that people would think he was unfit for his position or a simpleton. He therefore pretended that he could see the clothes and decided to wear them.

7. How did the people react when the Emperor appeared in his new clothes?
   The people pretended to admire the Emperor's clothes. They praised the colours and the beauty of the clothes because they did not want to admit that they could not see anything.

8. What did the little child say when he saw the Emperor?
   The child said that the Emperor had nothing on.

9. How did the child's words affect the people?
   The child's words made the people realise that they could speak the truth. Soon, people began saying openly that the Emperor had nothing on.

10. What is the main lesson of the story?
    One of the main lessons of the story is that people may be afraid to tell the truth because they fear what others will think of them. The story also explores vanity, dishonesty and social pressure.

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If you spot an error, inconsistency, or have a suggestion for improvement, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am only human, and I make mistakes, which I readily admit. Many thanks, Tutor Martin.