Determined to become human and win the prince's love, the mermaid seeks out the Sea Witch.
"I can give you legs," the witch says,
"but at a price.
You will lose your voice forever.
Every step will feel like walking on knives.
And if the prince marries another...
You will dissolve into sea foam at dawn."
The mermaid, knowing the risks, drinks the potion
and loses consciousness.