<figure class="
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            <img class="thumb-image" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5663a8cae4b058c26c1b41ab/1470565391002-XXXUS4FX5XCMOE5WZS2C/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kD2IJ1rlHFxntUSZYFP3letZw-zPPgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWQUxwkmyExglNqGp0IvTJZUJFbgE-7XRK3dMEBRBhUpznzaQokjtHhigRtobRqvnLV5KsEDj-KdnXXqE_OXifT3nz9KnfPys0iK15eSmXwX8/image-asset.jpeg" data-image-dimensions="500x603" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="Illustration by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite" data-load="false" data-image-id="57a70bcee58c62866ccb1352" data-type="image" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5663a8cae4b058c26c1b41ab/1470565391002-XXXUS4FX5XCMOE5WZS2C/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kD2IJ1rlHFxntUSZYFP3letZw-zPPgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWQUxwkmyExglNqGp0IvTJZUJFbgE-7XRK3dMEBRBhUpznzaQokjtHhigRtobRqvnLV5KsEDj-KdnXXqE_OXifT3nz9KnfPys0iK15eSmXwX8/image-asset.jpeg?format=1000w" />
          
        
          
        

        
          
          <figcaption class="image-caption-wrapper">
            <p>Illustration by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite</p>
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<p>The Little Mermaid is a famously dark and melancholy fairy tale. This week we look at the stories that inspired Hans Christian Andersen stories of sirens, of Undine, and Eastern European rusalka and the scary watermen known as Vodnik.&nbsp;</p><p>We also talk to two real mermaids about what it is like to really be a mermaid! With Mermaid Jessica Pearl and Mermaid Amelia we look at modern mermaid culture and the pros and cons of Disney romanticism.&nbsp;</p><p>Music this episode by <a href="http://www.kai-engel.com/">Kai Engel</a></p><p>Find The Perth Mermaids here:</p><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/perthmermaids">www.facebook.com/perthmermaids</a></p><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/mermaidamelia">www.facebook.com/mermaidamelia</a></p><p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/mermaidjessicapearl">www.facebook.com/mermaidjessicapearl</a></p>


	<a href="http://singingbonespodcast.com/thelittlemermaid" class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-block-button-element" >read mermaid stories here</a>

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Asbjørnsen and Moe

Singing Bones is a podcast that looks at the origin of fairy tales, the bare bones of stories. Follow the your favourite tales from their beginnings, discover new tales you've never heard, and re-discover stories you thought you knew.