在天晴的時候可以看見太陽，像一朵紫色的花，從花萼裡射出光芒。
『等你到了十五歲』，祖母說，『就可以升到海面上去，坐在鋪著月光的岩石上，看著往來的船隻，那時候，你也可以看到森林和城鎮。』
沒有一個人像最小的妹妹那樣渴望到海面上去，但她卻要等的最久，而她也是最安靜的一個，總是若有所思的樣子。
常常，到了傍晚時分，五個姊姊們會挽著彼此的手臂，排成一列往海面上升去。
每當這個時候，小美人魚孤獨的看著她們離去，幾乎想要哭泣。但是人魚卻沒有眼淚，這使她們承受更多痛苦。
『啊，多麼希望我已經十五歲了』，她對自己說，『我知道我一定會喜歡海面上的世界，以及生活在那裡的人們。』
In calm weather the sun could be seen, looking like a purple flower, with the light streaming from the calyx.
When you have reached your fifteenth year, said the grand-mother, you will have permission to rise up out of the sea, to sit on the rocks in the moonlight, while the great ships are sailing by; and then you will see both forests and towns.
None of them longed so much for her turn to come as the youngest, she who had the longest time to wait, and who was so quiet and thoughtful.
Often, in the evening hours, the five sisters would twine their arms round each other, and rise to the surface, in a row.
When the sisters rose, arm-in-arm, through the water in this way, their youngest sister would stand quite alone, looking after them, ready to cry, only that the mermaids have no tears, and therefore they suffer more.
Oh, were I but fifteen years old, said she: I know that I shall love the world up there, and all the people who live in it.
