The Emperor's New Clothes: A Brave Child's Question

Everyone sees that the king is naked,
Yet, everyone claps and cheers!
They all shout: "Bravo, bravo!"
Some are held by tradition, some by fear;
Some have mortgaged their intellect to others;
Some are dependent on alms,
Others, mere sycophants and deceivers;
Some believe the royal robes are so fine,
Though invisible to the eye, they must exist—
At least, it's not impossible for them to exist!

Everyone knows the story...
But within that story,
There were no sycophants singing praises—
Only cowards, schemers, or fools.
There was a child!
A truthful, innocent, and brave child...

The king has descended from the story to the public road!
Again, applause rises in waves;
The crowd of sycophants gathers.
But where is that child now?
I don't see him in the crowd today.

Where has the child gone?
Has someone hidden him in a
Secret cave in the mountains?
Or has he fallen asleep while playing
With stones, grass, and earth
By some distant, lonely river,
Or beneath the shade of a tree on a meadow?
Go, find him!
Bring him back!
Let him stand fearlessly before the naked king!
Let him, with a voice above the applause,
Ask:
King, where are your clothes?