Life Under the Sea
Far out in the deep blue ocean, where the water sparkles like the prettiest flowers and is as clear as glass, the sea is incredibly deep; so deep that even the tallest church towers stacked on top of each other wouldn’t reach the bottom. This is where the Sea King and his kingdom lived. It wasn’t just sand at the bottom of the ocean; strange and beautiful plants grew there, swaying with the slightest movement of water, as if they were alive. Fish, both large and small, glided between the plants like birds flying through trees above the surface.
At the very bottom of the sea stood the Sea King’s castle. Its walls were made of coral, and its tall windows sparkled with the clearest amber. The roof was made of seashells that opened and closed with the flow of water, and inside each shell was a shining pearl, fit for a queen’s crown.
The Sea King had been a widower for many years, so his wise old mother took care of the castle and the Sea King’s six daughters. She was proud of her high rank and wore twelve oysters on her tail, unlike others who were only allowed to wear six. But she was also very kind and devoted to raising her granddaughters.
The six princesses were all beautiful, but the youngest was the most special of them all. Her skin was soft like a rose petal, and her eyes were as blue as the deepest parts of the sea. Like her sisters, her body ended in a graceful fish tail. The young mermaids spent their days playing in the grand halls of the castle or among the living flowers that grew from the coral walls. Fish would swim through the open amber windows and nibble from the princesses’ hands, letting themselves be gently stroked.
Outside the castle was a magnificent garden, filled with flowers that glowed bright red and deep blue, their colors shining like fire. The fruits glittered like gold, and the leaves swayed gently in the water. The ground was covered in soft, blue sand, and over everything lay a magical blue glow, as if the ocean had a sky of its own. When the weather was calm, the Little Mermaid could see the sun from the ocean floor, glowing like a purple flower high above the waves.
Each of the princesses had their own little section of the garden where they could plant flowers and decorate it however they liked. One of the older sisters arranged her flower bed in the shape of a whale, while another made hers in the form of a mermaid. But the youngest princess’s garden was simple; a round patch shaped like the sun, with bright red flowers that looked like its rays at sunset.
While her sisters loved finding treasures from shipwrecks, the Little Mermaid was different. She was quiet and thoughtful, and the only thing she truly cared about; other than her red flowers; was a beautiful marble statue of a boy that had sunk to the bottom of the sea. The statue was perfectly carved from white stone, and the Little Mermaid adored it. She planted a rose-colored weeping willow beside it, and soon the tree’s long branches draped gracefully over the statue, their shadows dancing on the blue sand below.
But more than anything, the Little Mermaid loved hearing stories about the world above the sea. She would ask her grandmother endless questions about the land; about the ships, the towns, the people, and the animals. She found it amazing that flowers on land had scents, something the sea flowers didn’t have. She was fascinated by the idea of forests, where trees had green leaves and animals called “fishes”, what her grandmother called birds, sang sweet songs in the branches.
“When you turn fifteen,” her grandmother told her, “you’ll be allowed to rise to the surface of the sea. You can sit on the rocks in the moonlight and watch the great ships sail by. Then, you’ll see the forests and towns for yourself.”
The Little Mermaid could hardly wait for that day, dreaming of the incredible adventures that awaited her in the human world.
Dreams of the Surface World
Each year, one of the Little Mermaid’s older sisters turned fifteen and was allowed to swim to the surface of the sea to see the human world for the first time. Since each sister was one year younger than the other, the youngest mermaid, the Little Mermaid, had to wait five long years before it would be her turn. Eager and full of curiosity, she listened closely as her sisters promised to tell her everything they saw on their first visit to the surface.
The Little Mermaid, who was quiet and thoughtful, spent many nights staring out her window, gazing through the deep blue waters. She could see the moon and stars glowing above, but they seemed bigger and blurrier than they would to human eyes. Sometimes, a dark shadow would pass between her and the stars, and she knew it was either a whale swimming overhead or a ship full of humans, unaware that a curious little mermaid was watching them from below.
When the eldest sister turned fifteen, she was the first to visit the surface. Upon returning, she excitedly described the most beautiful thing she saw; lying in the moonlight on a sandbank near the shore and watching the lights of a large town twinkle like stars. She listened to the sound of music, the voices of people, and the noise of carriages. The church bells rang joyfully, and although she couldn’t get close to all these wonders, her longing for the human world grew. The youngest sister listened eagerly to every word, imagining the bustling town and the sounds of the bells as she looked out her window at the quiet sea.
A year later, it was the second sister’s turn. She chose to rise to the surface just as the sun was setting, and she told her sisters that the most beautiful sight was the golden sky, streaked with violet and pink clouds. She watched a flock of white swans fly across the horizon, their wings glowing in the sunset. She swam towards the sun as it sank into the sea, and the colors slowly faded from the sky.
The third sister was the most adventurous of them all. When her turn came, she swam up a wide river that led to the sea. Along the riverbanks, she saw green hills covered in vineyards, with grand palaces and castles hidden among the trees. She could hear birds singing in the branches, and the warm sun made her face so hot that she had to dive underwater to cool off. In a small cove, she found a group of children playing in the water. She wanted to join them, but they were frightened and ran away. She even saw a strange creature, a dog, which barked at her loudly, scaring her back into the sea. Though startled, she never forgot the green hills and the laughing children.
The fourth sister was more timid. She stayed far from the shore, swimming in the open sea. She found beauty in the vastness of the ocean, where she could see for miles. The sky above looked like a giant glass dome, and distant ships appeared no bigger than seagulls. Dolphins played in the waves, and whales sprayed water from their blowholes, making it seem as though fountains were bursting all around her.
The fifth sister’s birthday came in the winter, and her experience was very different. She saw the sea colored green and giant icebergs floating by, each shining like pearls but larger and taller than any building. She sat on one of the largest icebergs and let the cold wind blow through her hair. Ships sailed far away from the icebergs, avoiding them as if they were dangerous. As evening approached, the sky turned dark, and a fierce storm rolled in. Lightning flashed across the sky, turning the icebergs a fiery red as they rocked in the waves. The young mermaid watched in awe as the storm raged around her.
At first, each sister was thrilled by the new and exciting things they saw on the surface. But as time passed and they grew older, they became less enchanted with the human world and began to appreciate the beauty of their own underwater kingdom. Now that they could visit the surface whenever they wanted, they no longer found it as special. They realized that the world beneath the sea, with its quiet beauty and wonders, was even more magical than what they had seen above.
Still, on calm evenings, the five sisters would swim to the surface together and sing with their beautiful voices. They would sing before storms, hoping to comfort any sailors who might be caught in the waves. However, the humans could not understand their song and mistook it for the sound of the wind. Though the mermaids meant no harm, their songs often foretold danger, as ships would sometimes sink, and the sailors’ lifeless bodies would drift down to the Sea King’s palace.
First Journey Above
When the older sisters would rise to the surface, arm-in-arm, the youngest mermaid was left behind, standing all alone, watching them go. She would have cried if mermaids could, but instead, her sadness lingered in silence, making her heart ache even more. “Oh, if only I were fifteen!” she would say, “I just know I’ll love the world up there and the people who live in it.”
Finally, the long-awaited day arrived, her fifteenth birthday. “Well, now you’re all grown up,” her grandmother said with a smile. “It’s time to get you ready, just like your sisters.” The old Sea Queen placed a crown of white lilies in the Little Mermaid’s hair, each petal sparkling with a tiny pearl. She then commanded eight large oysters to attach themselves to the princess’s tail, a sign of her royal status.
“But they hurt so much!” the Little Mermaid protested, wincing in discomfort.
“Pride must suffer pain,” replied her grandmother with a shrug. Though she longed to take off the heavy wreath and cast aside the painful oysters, she knew she had to wear them. “Farewell,” she whispered as she rose through the water, light as a bubble, heading toward the surface.
As the Little Mermaid broke through the waves, the sun had just set, leaving the sky ablaze with colors of crimson and gold. The evening star twinkled above, shining brighter than ever in the peaceful twilight. The sea was calm, and the cool air carried a gentle breeze.
Not far off, she spotted a large ship with three tall masts, resting quietly on the water. Only one sail was up, as the ship was becalmed, and the sailors had little to do. Some lounged on the deck, while others sat among the rigging. Music and laughter filled the air, and as night fell, colorful lanterns were lit, making the ship glow like a floating festival. It seemed as though the flags of all nations were fluttering in the night sky.
The Little Mermaid swam closer to the ship, peeking into the windows whenever the waves lifted her high enough. Inside, she saw many finely dressed people, but one stood out, a young prince. He was the most handsome person she had ever seen, with dark, sparkling eyes. The prince, just sixteen years old, was celebrating his birthday, surrounded by joyful guests.
The sailors on deck were dancing, but when the prince stepped outside, the celebration grew even brighter. More than a hundred fireworks shot into the sky, lighting it up like daytime. Startled by the sudden burst of light, the Little Mermaid quickly dived underwater. When she surfaced again, it was as if the stars themselves were falling from the sky. She had never seen anything like it before, brilliant suns of fire and glittering sparks filled the night air, reflecting off the calm sea below.
The ship was now so brilliantly illuminated that the Little Mermaid could see everything in perfect detail, from the smallest ropes to the faces of the people on board. The prince, standing tall and smiling, was shaking hands with everyone, his joy spreading to all those around him. As the music played and the celebration continued, the Little Mermaid couldn’t take her eyes off him. It was a moment she would never forget.
Saving the Prince
It was late, but the little mermaid couldn’t look away from the ship or the handsome prince. The colored lanterns had been put out, the fireworks had stopped, and the cannon blasts were silent. Yet, the sea had grown restless. Beneath the waves, a low, eerie moaning could be heard. Still, the little mermaid stayed by the cabin window, bobbing up and down with the water, trying to catch a glimpse of the prince.
Suddenly, the sails were unfurled, and the ship began its journey once more. But the sea was growing wilder. Dark clouds rolled in, and flashes of lightning lit up the horizon. A terrible storm was coming. The waves swelled, rising higher and higher until they seemed as tall as mountains. The noble ship plunged into the valleys between the waves, only to rise again on the towering crests, like a swan. To the little mermaid, it seemed like thrilling fun, but the sailors were not so lucky.
Soon, the ship creaked and groaned as the sea crashed against it. The mainmast snapped like a twig, and water flooded the deck. Pieces of the ship began to break apart, scattering beams and planks across the water. The little mermaid realized the crew was in danger. She had to be careful herself, dodging the wreckage floating around her. For a moment, everything went pitch black, but then a flash of lightning revealed the terrible scene. Everything was in chaos, and she could see everyone who had been on board. Everyone except the prince.
Her heart sank as she saw him fall into the dark waters. At first, she felt a strange relief, thinking he would come to her beneath the sea. But then she remembered that humans can’t survive underwater. He must not die! she thought. Without thinking of the danger, she swam among the sharp beams and splintered wood, risking everything to find him.
Diving deep into the stormy water, she finally reached the prince. His arms were too weak to swim anymore, and his eyes were closed. If she hadn’t arrived, he would have drowned. Gently, the little mermaid lifted his head above the water, letting the waves carry them wherever they would.
By the time morning arrived, the storm had calmed. The sea was peaceful, but the ship was gone, there wasn’t a single piece of it left. The sun rose, its warm rays bringing a healthy color back to the prince’s cheeks, though he still didn’t wake. The little mermaid kissed his forehead and smoothed his wet hair, admiring how much he looked like the marble statue in her garden. She kissed him again, hoping he would live.
As they drifted closer to land, she saw tall, blue mountains with snow resting on their peaks like a flock of swans. The coastline was lined with lush green forests, and a grand building stood nearby. Whether it was a church or a convent, she couldn’t tell. In its garden, orange and lemon trees grew beside tall palm trees. The sea here formed a quiet bay, with calm, deep water. Carefully, the little mermaid brought the prince to the sandy shore, laying him gently in the warm sunlight. She made sure his head was raised higher than his body, hoping he would wake soon.
Not long after, bells rang from the large white building, and a group of young girls came out into the garden. The little mermaid swam away, hiding between some tall rocks that rose from the sea. She covered her face with sea foam so no one could see her, and she watched to see what would happen to the prince.
Soon, one of the girls approached him. At first, she looked frightened, but she quickly called for help. A group of people gathered around the prince, and, to the little mermaid’s relief, she saw him come back to life and smile at those around him. But he didn’t smile at her. He didn’t know she had saved him. This thought filled her with sadness. As the prince was led away into the large building, the little mermaid dived back into the sea, her heart heavy.
A Secret Longing
She had always been quiet and thoughtful, but now she grew even more so. Her sisters noticed her sadness and asked what she had seen on her first visit to the surface, but the little mermaid kept her secret. Time passed, and many mornings and evenings she returned to the shore where she had left the prince. She watched the fruits in the garden ripen and the snow on the mountains melt away, but she never saw the prince again. Each time she returned home, her heart felt heavier.
Her only comfort was sitting in her garden, wrapping her arms around the marble statue that reminded her of the prince. She stopped taking care of her flowers, and soon they grew wild, tangling around the trees and making the garden dark and overgrown.
Eventually, the little mermaid couldn’t bear her sadness any longer. She confided in one of her sisters, telling her everything. The secret quickly spread to her other sisters, and soon they learned from a friend where the prince’s palace was. One day, her sisters took her by the hand, and they all rose to the surface, right by the prince’s palace.
The palace was made of bright yellow stone, with grand marble steps leading down to the sea. Glistening golden domes rose above the roof, and between the marble pillars stood life-like statues. Through the clear windows, the little mermaid could see elegant rooms draped with silk curtains and beautiful tapestries. The walls were covered with paintings, and in the center of the largest room, a fountain sparkled under the glass dome, where sunlight streamed down on the plants surrounding it.
Now that she knew where the prince lived, the little mermaid often returned to the palace. Sometimes, she swam so close to the shore that she sat beneath the marble balcony, watching the prince. She would hide among the green rushes, and when the wind caught her silvery veil, people who saw it thought it was just a swan spreading its wings. On many nights, she heard the fishermen speak kindly of the prince, and her heart warmed, remembering how she had saved him.
But the prince knew nothing of her, and she longed more and more to be part of his world. She wished she could walk with humans and explore the vast lands they lived in, lands that stretched far beyond what she could see from the sea. There was so much she wanted to know, and her sisters couldn’t answer all her questions. So, she turned to her wise grandmother.
Souls
“Do humans live forever?” the little mermaid asked. “Do they never die like we do?”
“No,” her grandmother answered. “Humans also die, and their lives are even shorter than ours. We can live for three hundred years, but when we die, we turn into sea foam and disappear. We don’t even have a grave. But humans have something we don’t, an immortal soul. When their bodies turn to dust, their souls rise up through the air, beyond the stars, to a place we’ll never see.”
“Why don’t we have an immortal soul?” the little mermaid asked sadly. “I would give up all the years I have left, just to live as a human for one day and have the hope of a soul.”
“You shouldn’t think about that,” said her grandmother. “We are much happier than humans.”
“But when I die,” said the little mermaid, “I’ll turn into foam, and I’ll never hear the music of the waves or see the flowers and the sun again. Is there any way I can gain an immortal soul?”
“Only if a human loves you so much that you become more important to him than anyone else. If he marries you, his soul will join with yours, and you’ll live forever too. But that will never happen. Humans think our tails are ugly, even though we find them beautiful.”
The little mermaid looked down at her tail, feeling sad. “Let’s be happy with the time we have,” her grandmother said. “We still have three hundred years to live, and tonight there’s a grand ball in the palace.”
The palace was aglow with lights as the mermaids and mermen gathered for the ball. The walls and ceiling of the ballroom were made of clear crystal, and hundreds of glowing seashells lined the room. Outside, colorful fish swam past the transparent walls, their scales glittering like gold and silver. A broad stream flowed through the hall, and the mermaids and mermen danced to the music of their own sweet voices.
The little mermaid sang more beautifully than anyone else, and everyone applauded her. For a brief moment, she felt happy, knowing her voice was the finest in the sea. But her thoughts soon returned to the world above, and she slipped away from the joyful celebration to sit alone in her garden. Her heart was heavy with thoughts of the prince and the human soul she longed for.
As she sat in silence, she heard a distant bugle sound from the sea. He’s sailing again, she thought, and my future depends on him. She made a decision. She would do anything to win the prince’s love and gain an immortal soul. With a deep breath, she decided to visit the sea witch, even though she had always been afraid of her.
The Sea Witch’s Spell
Leaving her garden behind, the little mermaid set off toward the dangerous whirlpools, where the sea witch lived. She had never been there before. The path was bleak and barren, with no flowers or plants, just gray, sandy ground stretching toward the swirling waters.
The little mermaid found herself in a murky part of the underwater forest. The ground was swampy, and large, slimy water-snakes slithered through the mud, their dull-colored bodies coiling and uncoiling. Right in the middle of the swamp was the sea witch’s house, made from the bones of sailors who had perished in shipwrecks. The witch sat outside, letting a toad nibble food from her mouth, as if it were a pet bird. She called the slimy snakes her “little darlings” and let them wriggle all over her.
“I know why you’ve come,” the sea witch said, her voice raspy and unsettling. “It’s foolish, but I’ll give you what you want. It won’t make you happy though, my pretty little mermaid.” She sneered. “You want to get rid of your tail and have legs like a human, so the prince will love you, and you can gain an immortal soul.”
The sea witch laughed, a terrible cackle that made the toad and the snakes shudder and squirm off her lap. “You’re just in time,” she added. “After sunrise tomorrow, I wouldn’t be able to help you for another whole year. I’ll make a potion for you. Drink it before the sun rises, and your tail will disappear. In its place, you’ll have legs, but”, her eyes gleamed darkly, “it will feel like a sword cutting through you. Every step you take will hurt, as if you’re walking on sharp glass. Still, you’ll look like the most graceful human anyone has ever seen.”
The little mermaid took a deep breath. “I’ll bear it,” she said softly, her heart full of thoughts of the prince and the immortal soul she longed for.
“But once you have legs, you can never be a mermaid again,” warned the witch. “You’ll never return to your father’s palace or see your sisters. And if the prince doesn’t love you enough to marry you, you won’t get that soul. The very next morning after he marries someone else, your heart will break, and you’ll dissolve into sea foam.”
The little mermaid’s hands trembled, but she nodded. “I’ll do it,” she whispered, though her face turned pale.
“There’s a price, of course,” said the sea witch with a sly grin. “You have the most beautiful voice in the sea, and I’ll take it from you. That’s the payment I want. Without your voice, you’ll never sing or speak again.”
The little mermaid gasped. “But if you take my voice, what will I have left?”
“You’ll still have your lovely face, your graceful walk, and your expressive eyes. That’s more than enough to win a prince’s heart.” The witch grinned wickedly. “Now, if you’re ready, I’ll help you.”
The little mermaid’s heart raced, but she closed her eyes and whispered, “I’m ready.”
The sea witch didn’t waste any time. She grabbed her cauldron, placed it over a fire, and started brewing the potion. She used snakes tied into knots to scrub the cauldron clean. Then, she pricked her finger, letting drops of black blood fall into the mixture. The cauldron hissed and bubbled, filling the air with strange, swirling shapes that danced like shadows. The witch tossed in more ingredients, and soon the brew began to boil with a sound like the weeping of a crocodile.
Finally, the potion was done, sparkling clear as water. The sea witch handed it to the little mermaid, and without a word, she took the mermaid’s voice. Now, the little mermaid was completely mute, unable to speak or sing ever again.
“If the sea creatures try to stop you on your way back,” the witch added, “just spill a few drops of the potion, and they’ll flee in terror.” But the little mermaid didn’t need to. As soon as the sea creatures saw the glowing potion in her hand, they backed away, and she swam safely back through the eerie forest toward her fate.
Life as a Human
The little mermaid swam swiftly through the woods and marshes, navigating the rushing whirlpools with care. As she approached her father’s palace, she noticed that the ballroom torches had been extinguished and everyone inside was asleep. She didn’t want to disturb them, knowing she would soon be leaving forever. Her heart felt heavy, but she tiptoed into the garden, picked a flower from each of her sisters’ beds, and blew a gentle kiss toward the palace. Then, she dove into the dark blue waters.
Before the sun rose, she reached the prince’s palace. The moon shone brightly overhead as she climbed the beautiful marble steps. With a deep breath, she drank the magical potion. In an instant, it felt like a whirlwind passed through her, and she fell gently to the ground, unconscious.
When the sun peeked over the horizon, she awoke, feeling a sharp sting in her legs. Standing before her was the handsome young prince, who looked at her with curious, dark eyes. Shyly, she glanced down and discovered her fish tail was gone! Instead, she had two beautiful legs and tiny feet, though she realized she had no clothes to wear. Wrapping her long hair around herself, she felt both nervous and excited.
The prince asked who she was and where she came from. She looked at him with her deep blue eyes, filled with longing, but no words came out. Every step she took was as the witch had warned; it felt like walking on needles. Despite the pain, she danced gracefully by the prince’s side, her movements as light as a feather. People admired her beauty, but she couldn’t share her lovely voice with them.
Beautiful young women dressed in silk and gold sang for the prince, and he clapped his hands, smiling at one who sang the sweetest. This made the little mermaid’s heart ache, for she remembered how beautifully she used to sing. “Oh, if only he knew,” she thought sadly. “I’ve given up my voice to be with him.”
Later, the young women performed dazzling dances to enchanting music. Inspired, the little mermaid lifted her arms and twirled across the floor. Each step revealed her beauty more, and her expressive eyes spoke volumes, even without words. Everyone, especially the prince, was captivated by her dancing. He called her his little treasure and even allowed her to sleep at his door on a soft velvet cushion.
To make her feel more included, the prince had a special dress made for her, so she could ride with him on horseback. They explored fragrant woods together, with the green branches brushing their shoulders, while cheerful birds sang overhead. The little mermaid followed him up steep mountains, laughing despite the pain in her feet. Although they bled from the sharp rocks, she was too happy to complain, especially when they could see clouds below them like fluffy birds flying far away.
Each night, when everyone in the palace was asleep, she would sit on the wide marble steps, letting the cool sea water soothe her aching feet. As she gazed at the ocean, she missed her home beneath the waves.
One night, her sisters came swimming up, singing softly. They recognized her and shared how much they missed her. They promised to return every night. One evening, she even spotted her old grandmother and her father, the Sea King, with his crown on his head. They stretched out their arms toward her, but they stayed at a distance, not wanting to venture too close to the land.
As the days passed, the little mermaid grew fonder of the prince, who cared for her like a dear friend. But he never considered marrying her, which worried her. If he married someone else, she would lose her chance at an immortal soul. The thought of becoming foam on the waves made her heart ache.
“Don’t you love me the most?” her eyes seemed to ask whenever he hugged her and kissed her forehead.
“You are very special to me,” the prince replied. “You have the kindest heart. You remind me of someone I once knew, a girl who saved my life after a shipwreck. I saw her only twice, and she is the only one I could ever love. But you are so much like her; you’ve almost made me forget her. She belonged to a holy temple, and my good fortune brought you to me instead. We will always be together.”
The little mermaid sighed deeply but couldn’t shed a tear. “If only he knew that I’m the one who saved him,” she thought, remembering how she had carried him to shore and waited beneath the waves until help arrived. “I’ll be by his side, loving him and taking care of him, even if it means giving up everything I am.”
A Heartbreaking Choice
Word soon spread that the prince was to marry, and everyone was buzzing about his engagement to the beautiful daughter of a neighboring king. A magnificent ship was being prepared for the journey. Although the prince claimed he was just going to visit the king, everyone believed he was really going to meet his future bride. The little mermaid smiled to herself and shook her head. She knew the prince’s heart better than anyone else.
“I must travel,” he had said to her. “I want to meet this princess. My parents wish it, but they can’t make me bring her back as my bride. I can’t love her; she’s not like the beautiful maiden from the temple, who reminds me of you. If I had to choose a bride, it would be you, my dear friend with those expressive eyes.” He kissed her gently, played with her long, flowing hair, and rested his head on her chest while she dreamed of happiness and the hope of an immortal soul.
“You’re not afraid of the sea, are you?” he asked as they stood on the deck of the grand ship ready to take them to the king’s kingdom. He told her stories of storms and calm waters, of fascinating fish swimming below, and of all the wonders divers had seen. The little mermaid smiled, knowing better than anyone the marvels hidden in the depths of the sea.
That night, while everyone on the ship was asleep, except for the sailor steering the vessel, she sat quietly on the deck, gazing into the clear water. She thought she could see her father’s castle and, with it, her grandmother wearing her silver crown, watching through the waves. Suddenly, her sisters appeared, surfacing from the water, looking sad as they wrung their hands. The little mermaid waved and smiled, eager to tell them how happy she was, but just then, a cabin boy came close. When he saw her sisters dive down, he thought it was just sea foam dancing on the waves.
The next morning, the ship sailed into the harbor of a beautiful town belonging to the king they were visiting. Church bells rang joyfully, and trumpets blared from the tall towers. Soldiers stood proudly on the rocks as the ship passed by. Every day was filled with celebrations, parties, and dancing.
But the princess had not yet made her appearance. People whispered that she was being raised in a special school, learning all the qualities a princess should have. Finally, the day arrived when she came out to greet everyone. The little mermaid, eager to see if the princess was as beautiful as they said, had to admit that she had never seen anyone more stunning. The princess had fair skin, and her laughing blue eyes sparkled with kindness beneath long, dark lashes.
“It was you who saved my life when I washed up on the beach,” the prince said, embracing his blushing bride. “Oh, I am so happy! My dreams have all come true.” He turned to the little mermaid, smiling. “You must be thrilled for me, knowing how devoted you’ve been.”
Becoming a Daughter of the Air
The little mermaid kissed the prince’s hand, her heart heavy with sorrow. She knew that by morning, she would turn into sea foam and disappear forever. The town was full of celebration for the prince’s wedding. Church bells rang loudly, and heralds rode through the streets announcing the joyous news. Inside the church, priests waved their incense as the bride and groom stood before the bishop, receiving his blessing.
The little mermaid, dressed in a beautiful gown of silk and gold, held the bride’s train. But her heart wasn’t in the celebration. She could hear none of the music or the cheers; all she could think about was her approaching fate. Tonight would be her last, and she had lost everything for the prince; her family, her voice, and even her chance to live.
That evening, the bride and groom boarded the royal ship. Cannons roared, and flags fluttered in the wind. In the center of the ship stood a grand tent of purple and gold, filled with luxurious couches for the newlyweds. As the ship sailed smoothly over the calm sea, the little mermaid tried to distract herself by joining in the dancing. The sailors laughed and celebrated, lighting colorful lanterns that glowed in the night. The little mermaid danced with them, moving so gracefully that everyone marveled at her. Her feet felt like they were being cut by sharp knives, but she didn’t care. The pain in her heart was far worse.
This was her last night with the prince. She had given up her voice, her home, and suffered silently every day, yet the prince knew nothing of her sacrifice. Soon, she would be gone, and he would never even know what she had done for him.
Later, when all had quieted and the prince and his bride had gone to rest in the golden tent, the little mermaid leaned over the side of the ship, gazing towards the east. She waited for the first light of dawn, the light that would end her life. As she looked out over the waves, she saw her sisters rise from the sea. Their beautiful hair had been cut short, and they looked just as sad as she felt.
“We gave our hair to the sea witch,” they said, “so we could get help for you. She gave us this knife, it’s sharp enough to save you. Before the sun rises, you must use it to take the prince’s life. When his blood touches your feet, they will turn back into a mermaid’s tail, and you can come back to the sea with us. You will live out your years as a mermaid, instead of turning into foam. Hurry, you have to decide, either he or you must die before the sun comes up. Please, don’t wait! Our grandmother is heartbroken, and the first rays of light are almost here.”
The little mermaid looked at the sharp knife her sisters had given her, then pulled back the curtain of the tent. Inside, she saw the prince resting peacefully, his bride by his side. The little mermaid bent down and kissed his forehead, then looked at the sky, where the first streaks of morning were already appearing. She glanced at the knife, her hand trembling, and then threw it far into the sea. The water turned red where the blade fell, and drops that looked like blood splashed up.
One last time, the little mermaid gazed at the prince. Then, with her heart breaking, she threw herself into the sea, expecting to become foam. But as the sun rose, she felt no pain. Instead of dissolving, she found herself rising higher and higher into the air. She looked around and saw beautiful, transparent beings floating around her. Their voices were soft, and though no human could see or hear them, the little mermaid realized she was one of them.
“Where am I?” she asked, her voice light and musical, unlike anything she had ever heard.
“You are among the daughters of the air,” one of the beings answered. “Mermaids don’t have immortal souls like humans, but by doing good deeds, we can earn one. We travel the world, helping where we can; cooling the air in hot places, bringing health and happiness to people. After three hundred years of service, we can earn a soul and join in the happiness of humankind.”
The little mermaid, now filled with hope, lifted her eyes to the sun. For the first time, she felt tears on her cheeks. Down below, she could see the ship, with the prince and his bride looking out sadly over the sea, as if they sensed her loss. Unseen, the little mermaid kissed the bride’s forehead and whispered a goodbye to the prince. Then she joined the daughters of the air, rising higher and higher into the bright sky.
“After three hundred years of good deeds, we will enter the kingdom of heaven,” one of the air spirits told her. “And we might even get there sooner. Every time we find a kind child, we are rewarded with a shorter time. But if we find a child who is mean or hurtful, we shed tears, and each tear adds a day to our journey.”
The little mermaid smiled. Though her journey would be long, she now had hope, and for the first time in her life, she felt a deep sense of peace.