Ursula’s Side of the Story — The Little Mermaid Retold from the Sea Witch’s

Everyone knows the tale of The Little Mermaid: the curious young Ariel, her love for the human world, and the wicked Sea Witch who tricked her. But the ocean holds many secrets, and truth sinks faster than stones. Buried deep beneath waves of rumor and royal propaganda lies another version — Ursula’s side of the story.

Long before Ariel was even a dream in her father’s heart, Ursula reigned not as a villain, but as Princess of the Deep. She was sister to Triton, son of the mighty King Poseidon, and heiress to half the ocean’s vast dominion. When their father died, the inheritance was divided: Triton received the Trident, forged from the first lightning bolt to strike the sea, while Ursula was entrusted with the Nautilus Shell, a relic older than the tides themselves.

Together, they were meant to rule in harmony — the warrior king and the sorceress queen, strength and magic in balance. For a while, they did.

But peace is a fragile thing. Ursula’s fascination with the deeper, darker magic of the abyss unsettled Triton. Whispers began — seeded by his loyal advisor Sebastian — that she coveted not just her realm, but his throne. Whether from jealousy or fear, Triton branded her a traitor. The judgment was swift: banishment.

Or so the story goes.

The truth? Ursula never wanted the throne — not until the day Ariel was born. That day, something in her broke.

The Day Everything Changed

“Another child?” she had snarled when the news reached her cavern. Her voice, low and dangerous, echoed through the black stone walls. “An heir? That foolish brother! Now my place will never be restored. He’ll pass everything to that little brat.”

Her tentacles stirred restlessly in the gloom, and her two eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, slithered closer, eyes glowing in the dim light. The rage in Ursula’s chest turned cold and sharp. Ariel’s existence, she decided, was the final seal on her exile.

The Royal Birth and the Quiet Murder

While Ursula stewed in her lair, the kingdom above celebrated. King Triton and Queen Athena cradled their daughter, naming her Ariel — “lioness of God” — a name meant to inspire greatness. The court cheered, songs were sung, and the ocean glittered with joy.

But not all hearts in the palace were loyal. In a shadowed corner of the coral halls, Sebastian whispered to an unseen conspirator. “Triton doesn’t want her dead,” the crab murmured, “but the sooner a successor is named, the safer the kingdom stays in the family.”

A slow, invisible poison began its work. Queen Athena, vibrant and strong, grew pale and weak. Before death claimed her, she was persuaded — reluctantly — to sign a decree naming Ariel her eventual successor. Ariel was barely out of infancy when the weight of the crown’s destiny settled on her tiny shoulders.

Ariel’s Rebellion

Widowed and bitter, Triton poured his grief into hatred for the human world, blaming them for Athena’s death — though the truth lay much closer to home. He raised Ariel under strict rules and fearful warnings.

But children have a way of chasing forbidden dreams. Ariel’s fascination with human artifacts grew with every passing year. She explored shipwrecks, collected trinkets, and dreamed of the world above.

From the shadows, Ursula watched. Her crystal ball shimmered with visions of the mermaid’s adventures. Then she saw him — Prince Eric — a kind-eyed young man with a loyal dog and a gentle heart. Ariel’s gaze lingered on him as if fate had tied them together.

“So,” Ursula purred, “the little princess loves the human world. Perfect. I will craft her downfall from her own desires.”

The Storm and the Meeting

Calling on the magic of her shell, Ursula summoned a fierce storm. Eric’s ship was tossed like driftwood until a great wave hurled him into the sea — directly into Ariel’s waiting arms. She saved him, sang to him, and vanished before he awoke. The seed of love was planted.

Triton’s fury when he discovered Ariel’s human fascination was volcanic. When Sebastian betrayed her secret grotto, the king shattered it in rage. Ariel fled in tears, her words to Flounder ringing with truth: “Not all humans are bad — just like not all merfolk are good. My mother wasn’t killed by humans, but by betrayal.”

The Bargain

The moment had come. Ursula sent her eels to lure Ariel to her lair. The deal was simple — her voice for legs, three days to win Eric’s love, or her soul would belong to the sea witch.

Was it cruelty? Or the calculated move of a woman who had been wronged, playing the only game her brother had taught her — the game of power?

The Ending No One Talks About

We all know what happened next. Ursula’s plan failed. Love conquered cunning. Ariel won her prince and her place in the human world. Triton’s version of events painted Ursula as the eternal villain.

But if you asked Ursula, she would smile, bitter and amused:

“History is written by the victors. And beneath every wicked tale… lies a truth no one cares to hear.”

Moral of the Story:
Power, jealousy, and betrayal shape the villains we think we know. Sometimes, understanding their side reveals more about ourselves than about them.