One of many. She had sisters, you see.

[ there's a smile in his tone, nearly gentle. ]

Her father was very protective of all of his children. He forbade them from breaching the surface of the ocean, and ordered them to stay away from the two-finned land creatures -- humans -- who might then bring them harm.

. . . But there was a ship wreck, a man was thrown into the stormy sea where the little mermaid dwelt.

[ . . . ] What do you propose the mermaid did?