When the narrator returns home from a business trip, he finds it difficult to fall asleep. He wonders if the prince is too snobbish, or if she is just a sensitive girl. He also wonders if storytelling is helping him sleep. He reads a story about a mermaid who lives her life happily. The narrator wakes up to find that the story has been changed to suit her needs. He remembers arguing with his friend one night, and the two of them ignore each other. He has a friend from their wedding who is a chubby man, but he welcomes them with a smile. When they leave the hospital, the narrator accompanies him to the stairs. He is afraid that he will not be able to enjoy the days he loves.