The Emperor’s Clothes
Where?
Elongavia
Elongavia, shaped like a banana, is a land of contrasts. The rich folks live well off the banana farms that dot the landscape, but for the ordinary peasants working the less fertile lands, bananas might as well be a fairy tale. They’ve heard of them, sure, but they’ve never seen one, let alone tasted one. All the while, the fancy folks in Bananopolis keep getting richer.
Bananopolis
Bananopolis is the shiny heart of Elongavia, surrounded by fields of profitable banana plantations. It’s a city where the wealthy enjoy their banana riches and shop in markets full of the fruit and fancy banana-made goods. For them, bananas are everywhere, but for the common people, they might as well be a myth.
Who?
Wendell
Peasant
Wendell is a cheerful, hard-working peasant, always curious about the world around him and fascinated by new ideas.
The Folding Scythe
New technology
A lightweight, collapsible scythe that is ultra-convenient for travel and fieldwork. The medieval equivalent of a Swiss Army knife for farmers and Wendell’s dream tool.
The Banana
A gift from Above
A symbol of prosperity in Elongavia, this elusive fruit represents wealth and division within the kingdom.
The Emperor
Very Important person
Grumpy and not much to look at, but famously glorious and always impeccably dressed, priding himself on his regal appearance.
Smoke
Important person
A key aristocrat who ensures the Emperor always appears beyond reproach, masterfully managing the royal image with a smokescreen of words and deeds.
Mirrors
Important person
A high-ranking, stylish aristocrat obsessed with reflecting only the best aspects of the Emperor's reign, polishing his image to dazzling perfection.
Wendy
Reporter
A bright-eyed, newly graduated reporter with an insatiable curiosity and a deep admiration for the Emperor. Eager to uncover and tell great stories.
Cordelia Muffinton
Obnoxious Baroness
A proper yet grumpy aristocrat, notorious for her obnoxious demeanor. She navigates the social circles of Elongavia with a critical eye and sharp tongue.
When and how?
March 15th
4:30:00 AM
On a sunny March 15th, Wendell rose before dawn, his heart pounding with excitement. Today, he would venture into the bustling city to acquire a marvel of modern ingenuity – the folding scythe.
March 16th
5:38:00 PM
A day and a half into his journey, Wendell felt the weariness tugging at his limbs, but the thrilling prospect of his new folding scythe invigorated him with renewed energy.
March 17th
8:15:10 AM
Upon arriving in Bananopolis, Wendell gazed in awe at the city’s novelties. A particularly cheerful banana salesman caught his attention, enthusiastically proving that bananas were real, not mythical – a revelation that blew Wendell’s mind.
March 17th
8:25:35 AM
After his enlightening chat, Wendell was eager to try one of those “long yellow thingies,” as he called them. Just then, Cordelia passed by. Overhearing him, she sharply corrected, “Elongated yellow fruits, you peasant. I’m calling the police!” Confused, Wendell had no idea what the police were or how Mrs. Cordelia intended to summon them with a banana, but he did know such sorcery would earn a burning at the stake back in his village.
March 17th
8:29:17 AM
Throwing the Banana Peel on the Street
In Bananopolis, discarding banana peels on the street was unheard of; thus, no laws prohibited it. Conversely, in Wendell’s village, fruit peels were routinely tossed to the ground, decomposing naturally within days. Having found the banana merely satisfactory – having tasted better fruits – Wendell nonchalantly threw the peel onto the cobblestone street, just as a grand procession was about to begin.
March 17th
8:30:00 AM
The grand procession commenced, sweeping through the streets of Bananopolis. Citizens gaped in awe at the Emperor – so amazing, so radiant, the epitome of grandeur! As usual, Smoke and Mirrors led the way, flanking the Emperor closely, ensuring his magnificence was on full display.
March 17th
8:32:05 AM
Suddenly, Mirrors stepped on the banana peel Wendell had discarded and slipped dramatically.
March 17th
8:32:07 AM
In her flailing, she pulled Smoke down with her.
March 17th
8:32:10 AM
To everyone’s shock, with Smoke and Mirrors sprawled on the ground, the Emperor stood exposed for the first time. The crowd gasped in horror: he was clad only in dingy, off-white tighty-whities and a yellowed bedsheet posing as a cape. The horror!
March 17th
8:35:08 AM
Amidst the chaos, as the Emperor and his entourage scrambled for cover, Wendell alone was laughing. Seizing the moment, Wendy, the eager young reporter, approached him confidently, ready to demonstrate her interviewing skills. But Wendell wasn’t one for formal interviews; he preferred engaging conversations. Turning the tables, he grinned and asked, “Wendy, is it? What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl! Tell me, Wendy, what if the Emperor was always naked?” Caught off guard, Wendy froze. You see, in school, she only learned how to ask questions, not how to answer them.
March 20th
13:45:16 PM
Back in his beloved village with his prized new scythe, Wendell mused, “Those city folk sure are strange! Good thing they don’t make decisions for the rest of us!”
The End
Notes:
1. In case the maps stir any confusion, let it be clear: the cardinal points in this world are uniquely named. To the north lies Jollytop, to the south, Baskbottom, to the east, East (obviously), and to the west, curiously named Eastickle – the exact opposite direction of East.
2. And yes, it’s true – back in the day, reporters weren’t just figuratively spoon-feeding us information. Armed with oversized spoons for microphones, their approach to news delivery was quite literally ‘in your face’.
Maps generated with: DALL-E
Graphics generated at: playground.com
Graphic Editors: Photoshop, Affinity Designer
Prompt by: Zabist (YouTube channel)
Story and Concept by: Loana