Have you ever read the real story of 'the little mermaid'? It's a beautiful story, about love and devotion and sacrifice. However, Hans Christian Anderson's original tale is far from the Disney movie. I think we have all seen it, full of catchy songs and talking crabs, and in the end she gets the prince and they live happily ever after.
The real story isn't so peachy. The little mermaid doesn't get her voice taken away by the witches magic, but by her tongue being cut out. Mermaids live for 300 years but have no immortal soul. There is no talking crab, or even a crab mentioned. The Prince calls the little mermaid his 'foundling', and loves her more than anyone. But he doesn't know who she really is, or that she saved his life, and he marries another girl. And because she needed to marry him to have a soul and live, the little mermaid dies and turns into sea foam.
This sounds like a tragedy. Or even a bad breakup story if you don't know the whole story. But it isn't. It's a love story, because even through all of this, she loves him more than the world and would rather die than hurt him.
That is my favorite story by Hans Christian Anderson, and I would encourage you all to read it if you haven't.
Later!
Your studious writer,
Cody
