The Story:

"The Little Mermaid" is one of the most beloved children's stories written by Hans Christian Andersen. It tells the tale of the little mermaid, the young daughter of the sea king, who at the age of 15 leaves the deep waters to explore the haunting sea surface and saves a prince from drowning when his ship is struck by a storm. She falls in love with the prince but cannot reach him or talk to him. Deeply in love with the prince, she decides to consult the sea-witch, who gives her human legs in exchange for her beautiful voice. The sea-witch also tells her that if the prince marries another girl, the Little Mermaid will turn into sea foam the day after the wedding. The Little Mermaid agrees.

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Able to walk, she finally meets the prince and radiates happiness. The prince, though he likes the Little Mermaid, does not know that she is the one who saved his life from drowning. He plans to marry another girl—a princess. A wedding voyage to a distant kingdom is arranged, and the wedding is set. Desperately in love, the Little Mermaid fears for her life and asks only to return home to her family. Suddenly, her sisters appear out of the surface of the water. They offer her a knife and encourage her to kill the prince and save her life. She approaches the sleeping prince but cannot bring herself to kill him. The next morning, she turns into sea foam, yet suddenly feels herself being carried up to the sky to become a fairy. As a good fairy, she watches over the prince from above and protects him. [This is the original story and ending by Hans Christian Andersen, unlike the Disney version.]