The originial
version of The Little Mermaid was not quite as cuddly as the version we know and love today. Hans Christian
Anderson first wrote The Little Mermaid as a ballet, with an extremely tragic
ending. Today''s Disney
version, however, is a playful and sweet story about real love-at-first-sight and overcoming physical boundaries and obstacles. Princess Ariel, daughter of King Triton of the sea, will go to any lengths to be with Prince Eric, who is a human (gasp!) that she saved from a shipwreck. Although this union is strictly forbidden, Ariel feels that she needs to abandon all that she''s ever known to try for true love, even at the expense of her own voice. She makes a horrific deal with the Sea Witch, Ursula, and finds herself on human legs, finally able to be with her prince. But can she tell him who she is and how much she loves him? Of course not! But her big beautiful eyes speak volumes, and by the end, no one can deny that everything is understood regardless of verbal communication. Ursula won''t let a happy ending come that easily, though, and she interjects craftily. The ending is truly an inspirational one, and a moral victory in which everyone learns what is really important in life.