The princess of the sea story

The princess of the sea story

Folktale from Taiwan

Once upon a time, there was a little boy. He lived with his elder brother by the sea in the Yeh Liu district of northern Taiwan. His brother’s wife treated him very badly. He was very lonely. Often he would sit by himself on the seashore playing his flute. His music was very sad but beautiful. Everyone who heard it was impressed.
Folktale from Taiwan

One day, as he was playing his flute, an old man came out of the sea. “Young man,” he said, “you play very well. My mistress, the princess of the sea, is ill. She listen to your music every day. She would like to meet you.”
Folktale from Taiwan

“I am sorry, I am not a doctor. How can I help her?” asked the boy.

“I am sure if you came to see her, she would feel much better.” Replied the old man.

The little boy was frightened. “Surely I would drown if I went into the sea?” he said.

“Don’t be afraid. I shall look after you. You will not drown,” said the old man.

The old man looked kind and gentle. The boy no longer felt afraid. He followed the old man into the sea.
Folktale from Taiwan

They walked along a wide road on the bottom of the sea. Everything around them was dark and green. Soon they reached a great palace. The boy was surprised at what he saw inside.
Folktale from Taiwan

The walls were made of pearls and the furniture was made of silver the old man invited the boy to sit down on a golden throne.
Folktale from Taiwan

“Please wait,” said the old man. “I shall come back soon.”

He returned a few minutes later with an old man and woman. They had grey hair and wrinkle on their faces. However, they had bright eyes and they looked very healthy.
Folktale from Taiwan

“we will give you anything you want if you can cure our daughter,” they said.

“I shall do my best,” answered the boy. They all went into the room where the princess of the sea lay ill on a bed of seaweed. She was very pale and thin.
Folktale from Taiwan

The boy started to play his flute. The music was very beautiful. When he had finished, the princess sat up and smiled. “I fell much better now,” she said.
Folktale from Taiwan

Her parents invited the boy to stay with them. A few years later, the boy married the princess and was never lonely again.
Folktale from Taiwan