“Among the daughters of the air,” answered one of them. “A mermaid
has not an immortal soul, nor can she obtain one unless she wins the love of
a human being. On the power of another hangs her eternal destiny. But the
daughters of the air, although they do not possess an immortal soul, can, by
their good deeds, procure one for themselves. We fly to warm countries, and
cool the sultry air that destroys mankind with the pestilence. We carry the
perfume of the flowers to spread health and restoration. After we have
striven for three hundred years to all the good in our power, we receive an
immortal soul and take part in the happiness of mankind. You, poor little
mermaid, have tried with your whole heart to do as we are doing; you have
suffered and endured and raised yourself to the spirit-world by your good
deeds; and now, by striving for three hundred years in the same way, you
may obtain an immortal soul.”
The little mermaid lifted her glorified eyes towards the sun, and felt
them, for the first time, filling with tears. On the ship, in which she had left
the prince, there were life and noise; she saw him and his beautiful bride
searching for her; sorrowfully they gazed at the pearly foam, as if they
knew she had thrown herself into the waves. Unseen she kissed the
forehead of her bride, and fanned the prince, and then mounted with the
other children of the air to a rosy cloud that floated through the aether.
“After three hundred years, thus shall we float into the kingdom of
heaven,” said she. “And we may even get there sooner,” whispered one of
