One of the most beloved of all fairy tales is Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid... and perhaps one of the most misunderstood. Far more than a cute little story about a princess under the sea who lands her man, this charming, sometimes melancholy gem tells of a young girl who wants more -- a girl with a highly developed joie de vivre and love for mankind.In the original tale, as opposed to its more well known recent animated film version, our little mermaid, who remains unnamed, interestingly, does NOT end up with the prince... This does not in any way mean she has failed in her pursuits. Her ultimate goal in marrying the prince is not to live happily ever after with a dashing man. She desires, above all else, to have an immortal soul, as humans do. Winning the love of the prince is a sure road to achieving that goal.
Though the prince does love the everso lovable little mermaid, his heart and loyalty belong to the princess he mistakenly believes saved his life. A princess who took the credit for the little mermaid's rescue of the prince. So at first glance it looks like the 'cheater' has won. Those familiar with the story will also recall the sacrifice our little mermaid makes in giving her voice to the sea witch in exchange for human legs so that she may maneuver in the world of humans, and the prince -- and the greater risk of betting it all on the prince's love, lest she become the 'foam of the sea'.
When the prince mistakenly transfers his gratitude and love to the credit-stealing princess it looks like things are over for the little mermaid. But she gets a second chance to regain her sea legs.... ehr tail that is. Her sisters have sold their flowing hair and brooked a deal with witchypoo. If the mermaid will merely take the life of the prince on his wedding night, things can get back to normal, and she will not devolve into flotsam and jetsum with the rising of the sun... or was it the setting of it.... shoot, I will have to reread it.... anyway, at the proverbial 'midnight hour' she makes yet another sacrifice... and forgoes her life for that of the prince and his young bride.
Thus into the sea she goes, awaiting her inevitable dissolution... here grace intervenes, or rather the daughters of the air, who save her from the depths, welcome her into their ranks, and as a result of her selflessness and kindness, give her all that she most cherished and desired, an immortal soul.
This is the version that should be imparted to our darling girls -- not just because it is the original, but because of its message and sage advice for how to live a meaningful life as a girl... or rather a young lady who will blossom into a substantial woman. And for this reason, as well as many that I perhaps have never identified, it has been my lifelong favorite fairy tale -- one that simultaneously humbles me and reminds me of what truly matters, not just as a female, but as a human being.
