The Daughters of the Air

Late in the night, when everyone was asleep, the little mermaid stood at the railing of the ship and waited for the dawn. She knew that when the sun rose, she would die.

Then she saw her sisters rise up from the sea. Their beautiful long hair was gone — cut short. Their faces were pale and sad.

"We went to the Sea Witch," they said. "We gave her our hair in exchange for a way to save you. She gave us a knife. Before the sun rises, you must go into the tent and kill the prince. When his blood touches your feet, you will become a mermaid again and you can come home with us. Hurry — the sky is already turning red!"

The little mermaid took the knife and went to the tent. She pulled back the curtain. The prince and his bride were sleeping peacefully. The prince was smiling softly in his sleep.

She held the knife over him. Her hand shook.

Then she put the knife down. She could not do it. She loved him. She walked to the railing, threw the knife far into the sea, and jumped in after it.

She felt her body dissolving into foam. But she did not feel death.

Instead, she felt herself rising — rising up through the air. She was light and transparent, like air itself. Around her floated hundreds of other beings, beautiful and weightless.

"Who are you?" she asked — and was amazed to hear her voice again, clear and beautiful.

"We are the daughters of the air," they answered. "Like you, we have no immortal soul. But we can earn one by doing good. We fly to places in the world where people are sick and suffering, and we bring cool breezes and the scent of flowers and healing. After three hundred years of good deeds, we receive a soul and join the everlasting happiness of heaven. You tried to earn a soul with all your heart and strength. You suffered greatly and chose love over revenge. Now you can join us and earn your soul the same way."

The little mermaid looked back at the ship. She could see the prince and his bride standing at the railing, searching the water for her. They looked sad. She kissed the bride's forehead gently — the bride could not see or feel it. She smiled at the prince one last time.

Then she rose with the daughters of the air up into the rose-red clouds of the morning sky.