He Reigns, It Pours

According to the legend of the “Emperor’s Clothes,” three unscrupulous men seek to exploit the Emperor by offering to create a magnificent robe for him, for a very high price. The Emperor goes along with the proposition and the three men set about pretending to work on the majestic garment. They announce that their work is finished and proceed to go through the motions of putting the phantom robe on the Emperor. “Surely you can see what fine clothing this is,” one of them says. “Only a total simpleton could not see it so!” The mesmerized Emperor is convinced that this is indeed the finest robe in the Empire. Soon, all of the people in the kingdom are convinced that the Emperor is wearing the most beautiful robe ever made and that only a simpleton would not agree. Finally, the Emperor goes out among his people in a grand procession. Although he is completely naked, the people cheer, and they marvel at the beauty of…