"I have new shoes," said Gustave, but still he did not tell the secret of their wonder.
"I should like to have a pair just like them," said Max, who was often late for school and seldom able to do an errand for his mother promptly.
"I will ask the old shoemaker if he has any more shoes like mine, Max," Gustave said. So, after he had given his mother the pat of butter, which was exactly in time, he went back to the shop of the old shoemaker.
"My friend, Max, wants a pair of wonder shoes like mine," Gustave said. "Have you any more?" he asked.
The old shoemaker smiled, and chuckled, and laughed, until his spectacles nearly dropped off.
"More wonder shoes?" he said. "Why any little boy may have a pair if he wants them. It all depends upon the boy himself whether or not he has wonder shoes."
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES
Many years ago there lived an Emperor who was so exceedingly fond of fine new clothes that he spent all his money on rich garments. He did not care for his soldiers, nor for the theatre, nor for driving about, except for the purpose of showing his new clothes.