Once upon a time, long ago, there was a prince named Theodore, young and betrothed to a beautiful princess named Esmeralda. He was tall and thin. He had a smooth face, short and black hair, small eyes of emerald green color, a romantic and sincere look, a bright and serene gaze. 

One day he went out of the castle to have a walk on the beach. He heard an angelic voice that completely caught his attention. Theodore looked around and saw a girl in the water. He got close to her and said: 

"What’s a girl doing in the sea all alone? Aren’t you afraid?" 

The girl replied: "I am not afraid, on the contrary, I like to hear the sound of the sea… It is so calm and peaceful!" 

Theodore asked: "What is your name?" 

And the maiden answered: "My name is Perla!" 

He smiled: "It’s a beautiful name. I’m Theodore! However, I have to return to the castle now… I hope fate will make us meet again". 

The prince returned to the castle to rest, but in his mind he could only think about that young girl named Perla… her eyes as blue as the sea, her light skin, and face that seemed to be drawn by a painter, and her very long blonde hair. Her enchanting gaze, her cheerful and very lively ways.

Later on Esmeralda saw the prince at the castle. His eyes were fixed on the sea. While talking, Esmeralda felt that there was something strange but she acted as usual, and asked him: "Have you done anything nice today, my young prince?"

Theodore replied: "Today I went for a quiet walk on the beach, and then I met… you, Esmeralda!". Esmeralda, felt pleased, but at the same time she noticed that something had changed about him.

The next day the prince returned to the beach, he felt in his heart that he would see Perla again. And so it was. He watched the girl without revealing his presence, but he realized that Perla had something strange: she had a beautiful and long tail, with fins, and pearls around her. She was a mermaid! Distraught, Theodore returned to the castle, but he never stopped thinking about the mermaid.