'The Little Mermaid,' a Danish tale loved in China

Generations of Chinese children grew up with Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. Among them, "The Little Mermaid" stands out, not as a story of love fulfilled, but of love sacrificed. It broke away from the traditional fairy-tale ending, offering instead a bittersweet tale of longing, courage and the cost of choosing to love over self.

"The Little Mermaid" tells the story of a young mermaid who dreams of living on land and winning the love of a human prince. To follow her heart, she gives up her voice and leaves her home in the sea. In the end, her love is not returned, but instead of disappearing, she becomes a spirit of the air – because of her kindness and courage.

Since it was first translated into Chinese in the early 1900s, "The Little Mermaid" has appeared in many forms – books, plays, and animated shows. Many Chinese children grew up reading it, and the story has influenced not only young readers but also writers, artists, and educators.

Andersen's fairy tales are well known in China for their simple language and deep emotions. Stories like "The Little Mermaid" show how people from different cultures can understand each other through shared feelings and values.