The Little Mermaid lived in the sea with her father and friends. She had a heart problem and refused to go on land as her friends suggested, where she might find a cure. Her father said whoever convinced her to go to land would receive a great reward. The Little Mermaid rescued a man from the sea and found his name was Doctor John. Her father urged her to ask the doctor for medicine. The sea witch Murtua transformed the mermaid's tail into legs so she could find the doctor. The mermaid received medicine from the doctor but Murtua was jealous and turned herself into a beautiful woman. When her disguise failed, she tried to stop the mermaid from getting the cure. The doctor defeated