Русалочка

           Thethirdsister’sturnfollowed;shewastheboldestofthemall,andsheswamupabroadriverthatemptieditselfintothesea. Onthebanksshesawgreenhillscoveredwithbeautifulvines;palacesandcastlespeepedoutfromamidtheproudtreesoftheforest;sheheardthebirdssinging,andtheraysofthesunweresopowerfulthatshewasobligedoftentodivedownunderthewatertocoolherburningface. Inanarrowcreekshefoundawholetroopoflittlehumanchildren,quitenaked,andsportingaboutinthewater; shewantedtoplaywiththem,buttheyfledinagreatfright;andthenalittleblackanimalcametothewater;itwasadog,butshedidnotknowthat,forshehadneverbeforeseenone. Thisanimalbarkedathersoterriblythatshebecamefrightened,andrushedbacktotheopensea. Butshesaidsheshouldneverforgetthebeautifulforest,thegreenhills,andtheprettylittlechildrenwhocouldswiminthewater,althoughtheyhadnotfish’stails. 

           Thefourthsisterwasmoretimid;sheremainedinthemidstofthesea,butshesaiditwasquiteasbeautifulthereasnearertheland. Shecouldseeforsomanymilesaroundher,andtheskyabovelookedlikeabellofglass. Shehadseentheships,butatsuchagreatdistancethattheylookedlikesea-gulls. Thedolphinssportedinthewaves,andthegreatwhalesspoutedwaterfromtheirnostrilstillitseemedasifahundredfountainswereplayingineverydirection.