Русалочка

           Theyhadmorebeautifulvoicesthananyhumanbeingcouldhave;andbeforetheapproachofastorm,andwhentheyexpectedashipwouldbelost, theyswambeforethevessel,andsangsweetlyofthedelightstobefoundinthedepthsofthesea,andbeggingthesailorsnottofeariftheysanktothebottom. Butthesailorscouldnotunderstandthesong,theytookitforthehowlingofthestorm. Andthesethingswerenevertobebeautifulforthem;foriftheshipsank,themenweredrowned,andtheirdeadbodiesalonereachedthepalaceoftheSeaKing. 

           Whenthesistersrose,arm-in-arm,throughthewaterinthisway,theiryoungestsisterwouldstandquitealone,lookingafterthem,readytocry,onlythatthemermaidshavenotears,andthereforetheysuffermore. "Oh,wereIbutfifteenyearsold,"saidshe: "IknowthatIshalllovetheworldupthere,andallthepeoplewholiveinit." 

           Atlastshereachedherfifteenthyear. "Well,now,youaregrownup,"saidtheolddowager,hergrandmother;"soyoumustletmeadornyoulikeyourothersisters;" andsheplacedawreathofwhiteliliesinherhair,andeveryflowerleafwashalfapearl. Thentheoldladyorderedeightgreatoysterstoattachthemselvestothetailoftheprincesstoshowherhighrank. 

           "Buttheyhurtmeso,"saidthelittlemermaid. 

           "Pridemustsufferpain,"repliedtheoldlady.