What classic is The Little Mermaid based on?

The Little Mermaid, the Disney animated film, is based on the Danish fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen, published in 1837.

While the Disney adaptation shares the basic premise of a mermaid who wants to become human, it significantly diverges from the original tale. The Disney version is a much more lighthearted and whimsical interpretation, with a happy ending. The original story, however, is darker and more tragic, ending with the mermaid's death.