At the bottom of the sea, lived the sea king and his family in a palace.

The sea king had six daughters who were mermaid princesses. 

The youngest was the most beautiful one. And she was good at singing.

The little mermaid liked the human stories her grandmother told her. 

But she was not allowed to see the human world until she was fifteen.

On her fifteenth birthday, the little mermaid rose up to the surface of the sea. 

There was a large ship floating on the peaceful sea.

She was very excited when she saw a handsome prince on the

ship. The little mermaid was deeply attracted by his gentle smile. 

At night, a sudden storm turned over the ship. 

Many people fell into the sea, including the prince.

The little mermaid swam over to the prince, took him by his head and brought him to shore. 

He was unconscious. The little mermaid kissed his forehead and then hid behind a rock, waiting for someone to save him.

At last, a young girl came by. Just then, the prince came to life. 

Thinking the girl had saved his life, the prince thanked her.

The little mermaid saw the prince being lifted back to the palace. 

She wanted to tell the prince the truth but she couldn't!

From then on, the little mermaid always swam near the

palace at night to see the prince. 

She longed to become a human being so that she could stay with the prince.

One night the little mermaid went to see the witch. 

She begged her for legs.

"You have to give up your voice," the witch said.

The little mermaid agreed.

The witch gave her a draught. "Take this, and you will get legs," she said. 

"But walking on feet will be extremely painful for you. 

What's more, you can never return to the sea. And if the

prince falls in love with another girl, you will become foam in the

sea on the next morning after his wedding!

The little mermaid left for the shore, without saying goodbye to her family.

After taking the draught on the shore, she fainted in great pain.

When she woke up, the prince was standing before her. 

He asked the little mermaid who she was, and where she came from. 

But she couldn't speak.

The prince took the little mermaid to the palace and let her stay with him.

The little mermaid couldn't sing, but she could dance.

Although every step caused her harsh pain, she insisted on

dancing for the prince as long as he was happy.

But the prince only regarded her as a good friend. He said

he loved the girl who had saved him. The little mermaid couldn't

tell him it was she who saved him. But she dreamed one day the

prince would find out the truth.

She missed her family so much. She was not allowed to go back to the sea, but she didn't