In the original story, The Little Mermaid didn't have a happy ending. However, Hans Christian Anderson believed this ending to be too depressing, and altered it. In his revised version, the Little Mermaid still does not marry the Prince, but is instead offered the opportunity to slay him and return to life as a mermaid. Her refusal to do so is an act of true love, and thus as she is turning into seafoam (the manner in which merfolk die) and reborn as a Sylph; an aerial spirit with an immortal soul devoted to helping children, and will enter heaven.
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