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Cosmic Vibration
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The Emperor's New Cloak
Submitted by bw@mitra on Wed, 12/02/2009 - 20:09
The Emperor’s New Cloak
by Rolf Schmidt
Copied with permission from www.spanglefish.com/greatreading
The emperor addressed his eternal domain
from the terrace of his imperial mansion
but the gathered crowd was restless
and some already cried:
“The emperor‘s got no clothes on!”
for his soul once wrapped in such dignity
stood exposed now and shivering in fear.
His rule, once just and inspired
had grown harsh and naked of vision.
Sedition stirred in every crevasse
and the only thing that ruled was fear.
But then a little girl in the crowd
came forward unhindered by the guards
for she was a little girl.
When she reached the emperor
he smiled “What have you brought my child?”
“Your majesty” she whispered,
“my people thought you must be very cold
here all alone on this windy terrace,
so we made this cloak for you to wear”
“I see no cloak!” the emperor said blankly.
“Please forgive us, your majesty,
but that is because we are very poor.
We had neither silk nor wool nor cotton
so we spun and wove the pure warmth
of our undying love for you.
And instead of thread we used our loyalty
that is strong enough to re-unite your empire.
So it may not look like much,
but does this cloak not befit an emperor?”
The emperor’s eyes overflowed with tears
for suddenly he could see.
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