The Little Mermaid danced as though her life depended on it. Her dainty feet were cut to ribbons, but in spite of the pain she wished the dance could last for ever.
But, suddenly, the music stopped. A murmur went around the hall, and the prince's bride made her entrance. The prince stared in astonishment. "It's her," he gasped, for his bride was the girl who had found him on the beach.
From that moment on, the prince had eyes for no one else.
——The Little Mermaid

《小美人鱼》能够流传，在于其崇高的悲剧性。迪士尼安排她最后与王子在一起，整个故事就普通了。