The Little Mermaid Short Story & Audiobook
A mermaid who is interested in humans accidentally comes across a prince in trouble. Will she get to learn more about humans than she ever thought?
The Little Mermaid
Once upon a time, deep down under the sea, lived a little mermaid. She lived with her father, the Sea King, in a palace made of blue coral. Her favourite food was seabiscuits.
The Sea King told all the merfolk that they must never go up to the surface. He thought humans were just too dangerous.
But the little mermaid thought humans were very interesting. She loved checking out the old shipwrecks on the seafloor, collecting all the old human things.
One day, she was out swimming with her best friend, the crab. They were quite near the surface! The crab kept telling her to keep her head in the water where it belonged.
Then she saw a boat pass overhead. She went right up to the surface to get a closer look. She could see a handsome young man playing with his dog.
The young man was a prince. As the little mermaid watched, a big storm blew in. And the dog’s lead fell out of the prince’s hand.
He stretched out to grab it but fell overboard with a great splash.
The dog was barking his head off!
The prince started sinking deeper and deeper. The trouble was he was a terrible swimmer. In fact, he could swim about as well as….. a stone!
But the little mermaid swam down and scooped him up. She brought him back to the beach and sang softly to make him feel better. Once, he opened his eyes a little bit and saw her kind face looking down at him.
Then he fell fast asleep. When he woke up he promised himself that he would find the girl who rescued him. He wanted to thank her.
He looked and looked, but couldn’t find her. He didn’t know that the girl who had saved him wasn't in the kingdom, but under it. In the sea.
When the Sea King found out that the little mermaid had been to the surface he was furious!
He only wanted to protect her, so he decided he would stop her interest in humans once and for all. He used his magic trident and smashed all of her human treasures to pieces.
The little mermaid was very upset and burst into tears when she saw all her broken treasures.
Then she thought how fantastic it would be if she could just go back to the surface one more time to look for more.
One day she was out swimming on her own when she met the sea witch, who said she could turn the little mermaid into a human for three days.
“Now, there’s an interesting idea,” she thought.
The sea witch worked her magic and turned her mermaid tail into legs!
She swam to the shore and, as you can imagine, it wasn’t easy without her mermaid tail.
When she got to the beach she had to learn how to use her new legs!
The prince was walking his dog along the beach and suddenly he saw the little mermaid. He realised that she was the one who had saved him.
“Please come to my castle, so I can thank you properly,” he said.
“Oh, yes please,” she answered, “I’ve never been to a human castle!”
At the castle she was given a beautiful new dress and some jewels. At a grand dinner table she was served lots of different foods but she didn’t like the look of them very much.
“Not hungry?” asked the prince.
“Not really,” said the little mermaid, “by the way, what’s this?” she asked.
“It’s a burger, of course,” said the prince. He was a bit surprised at this.
The next day, the prince took her on a carriage ride. She was fascinated by everything she saw and wondered how everything worked.
At the end of the day, the prince took her out on a rowing boat.
She took one look at the deep blue water and realised that she really wanted to go home.
The sea witch had been watching all this in her crystal ball.
“That girl has got a choice. She either lives as a human or a mermaid,” thought the sea witch.
The trouble was that the little mermaid really liked the prince. And the prince really liked her. So did his dog!
Then suddenly her best friend, the crab, swam up to the side of the boat. He looked sad.
Then she knew what she must do.
She knew she would miss her family and friends far too much. So, she thanked the prince and told him she had to go home.
Just as the sun went below the horizon her legs turned back into a tail and she was back to being a mermaid.
Then she felt really hungry and she couldn’t wait to eat some yummy seabiscuits.
She swam happily back to her family and friends in the coral palace deep under the sea.
After all, that’s where she really belonged.
The End
Can you read this story for free?
Yes! You can read the Little Mermaid story for free. Our story retellings closely follow the original storylines and add modern twists in the illustrations.
Is there a read aloud version?
Yes, listen to The Little Mermaid read aloud on our Audio App, featuring professional narration and hundreds of other audio stories.
Who wrote the original story?
Hans Christian Andersen wrote the original Little Mermaid story way back in 1837. This story was part of a collection of fairy tales for children which included The Emperor's New Clothes too.
What is the story summary?
This fairy tale is a beloved story by Hans Christian Andersen that tells the tale of a young mermaid princess who dreams of living in the world above the sea. After being forbidden from swimming to the surface by her father, King Triton, she makes a deal with an evil sea witch named Ursula who grants her legs and human form. After experiencing the different and new world on land the mermaid starts to miss a lot of things about her home and ultimately decides that she wants to return home.
Is this a bedtime story?
This is a great example of a bedtime story. It’s nostalgic for parents and has a happy ending for kids. That’s if they make it to the end of the story before falling asleep!
Why do we write bedtime stories for kids?
When we first decided to create a bedtime story for kids, we knew we wanted it to be fun, engaging and high quality.
We wanted Sooper Books to bring children's publishing into the 21st century. We strongly believe that nighttime stories for kids need to fit seamlessly into modern family lives which is why our free stories are all online.
It began when we started writing stories for our own family. Then our friends and wider families asked for copies and we started to share Sooper Books with other children.
At Sooper Books we write, curate and narrate stories for kids so they can enjoy the best quality content, enchanting stories and magical adventures. With our stories we work towards promoting a positive attitude to reading and instill a love of books in children from an early age.
About Sooper Books
Our 5-10 minute online kids bedtime stories, fairy tales, funny rhymes and fables all come with award-winning audio.
From short stories for kids to multiple story episodes in our original series collections, our content is sure to make your little ones’ eyes sparkle with delight.
At Sooper Books, children can explore the magical world of fairies and witches, brave knights, talking animals and more. Our stories for kids feature an array of characters such as lovable princesses, funny frogs, gentle giants and wise wizards.
So whether you're specifically looking for a fairy tale or a rhyme, or maybe you just need some short bedtime stories for kids. Take the stress out of bedtime by reading one of our kids stories today!
Why is The Little Mermaid such a timeless story?
This fairy tale has fascinated children for generations because it is filled with wonder, adventure, and self-discovery. The idea of a mermaid longing for life on land sparks imagination, while the choices she makes teach valuable lessons about curiosity, independence, and appreciating home. Whether in books, films, or bedtime stories, The Little Mermaid remains a beloved classic.
What makes The Little Mermaid different from other fairy tales?
Unlike many traditional princess stories, this one is not just about love—it is about making big life choices. The little mermaid does not simply wait for a prince; she actively explores the world, takes risks, and learns what truly matters to her. It is a story of adventure, identity, and following your heart, rather than just a royal romance.
How is the Sooper Books version of The Little Mermaid different?
Our retelling stays true to the heart of the original story but adds modern twists and vibrant illustrations that make it fun, engaging, and perfect for bedtime. We focus on the magic of discovery, the humour in new experiences, and the warmth of homecoming, ensuring it is a joyful and uplifting read.
How does The Little Mermaid help with emotional growth?
This story helps children explore emotions like curiosity, excitement, and longing. It also teaches:
- Making choices – The little mermaid learns that every decision has consequences.
- Appreciating what we have – She misses home and family after leaving.
- Being true to yourself – She chooses to embrace who she is rather than change for others.
Practical Tips for Parents:
- Ask thoughtful questions – What do you think the little mermaid missed most about home?
- Try a gratitude activity – List or draw things they love about home to encourage appreciation.
- Role-play decision-making – Act out different choices and discuss the outcome
What lessons does The Little Mermaid teach about curiosity and decision-making?
The little mermaid is curious about the world beyond her own, which leads her to take risks and make life-changing choices. This is a great story to talk and teach children about:
- Asking questions and exploring new things in a safe way.
- Thinking before making big decisions – Is this choice really the best one?
- Balancing excitement with patience when experiencing new places and ideas.
Practical Tips for Parents:
- Encourage “What If” Thinking – Ask: What might happen if we try this?
- Curiosity Challenges – Try a new food or activity and talk about expectations vs. reality.
- Use a Decision-Making Chart – List choices and possible outcomes to teach logical thinking.
What are the best discussion questions to ask after reading The Little Mermaid?
Get your child thinking with these open-ended questions:
- If you could visit anywhere—land, sea, or space—where would you go?
- Do you think the mermaid made the right choice? Why or why not?
- What is something special about your home that you would miss if you left?
- If you could have one magical sea creature as a best friend, who would it be?
What fun activities can we do after reading The Little Mermaid?
Bring the story to life with these activities:
- Underwater treasure hunt – Hide small "human treasures" (toys, spoons, buttons) around the house and let children "dive" for them.
- Act it out – Let one child be the mermaid, another the prince, and someone else the funny sidekick (like the crab).
- Mermaid versus human challenge – Pretend to walk like a mermaid learning to use legs—who can be the silliest?
Can we do arts and crafts related to The Little Mermaid?
Absolutely. Get creative with these mermaid-inspired crafts:
- Make a mermaid tail – Use fabric or paper to design a tail fit for an underwater princess.
- Create an ocean in a jar – Fill a jar with blue water, glitter, and tiny sea-themed objects.
- Draw the little mermaid’s dream castle – Would it be under the sea or on land? Let your child design it.
How can this story be used for STEM learning?
Try these science experiments inspired by the story:
- Floating versus sinking – Test which objects float like a mermaid and which sink like the prince.
- Saltwater versus freshwater experiment – Fill two cups, one with saltwater and one with regular water. Drop an egg in each—what happens?
- How sound travels underwater – Place a bell or toy under water and listen to how sound changes.
Why does the little mermaid choose to return home?
At first, she is fascinated by life on land, but in the end, she misses her family and the world she knows best. This is a great way to talk with children about feeling homesick and why sometimes, where we belong is the best place to be.
What other stories are similar to The Little Mermaid?
If your child loved this story, they will also enjoy:
- Dink & Donk – A Sooper Books original about an alien girl and a moose who embrace their differences and become best friends.
- The Frog Prince – Another tale about a magical transformation.
- The Ogglebogs – A Sooper Books original series about self-acceptance and belonging.
- Rapunzel – A classic tale of curiosity, adventure, and finding your way home.