Nowadays, true loyal friends are not always easy to find. A lot of people can have many “friends”: People they talk to, hang out with or even with whom they talk on the phone. But what exactly consists of a true friend? In Disney’s The Little Mermaid I can come up with six reasons why Flounder is the truest, most loyal and bestest friend Ariel could ever ask for. (If you can come up with more, by all means please tell me!) Click on the Flounders, and they'll take you to each point more quickly!

1. He’s always there for her.

2. He defends her.

3. He cares and worries about her.

4. He sympathizes with her.

5. He loves to make her happy.

6. He’s always there to help her out.

1. HE’S ALWAYS THERE FOR HER NO MATTER WHAT. When we’re first introduced to adorable, shy little Flounder, we see that he is uneasy about following Ariel into the sunken ship. It’s understandable! It look really scary and mysterious! Yet, even though he wanted to leave, he didn't’t: he stuck by Ariel. It can be argued that he didn't’t leave because he was too scared to leave all by himself. I disagree. If he was too scared he would have left Ariel behind. He’s Ariel’s friend, and that’s what friends do: they’re there for each other no matter what. He followed her when Flotsam and Jetsam came along and lured her to Ursula's domain. He, along with Sebastian, helped Ariel up to the surface when she could no longer breath or swim, after Ursula transformed her into a human. He even helped her get across the water to the wedding ship when Eric was going to marry Vanessa (which is no small feat for little Flounder!). Throughout the entire movie, wherever Ariel was, Flounder could be found when possible. (You don’t expect him to follow her into the Prince’s castle do you?)

2. HE DEFENDS HER. He couldn't’ stand it when King Triton was yelling at Ariel! We could see him try to keep quiet, but when Sebastian started blaming her for ruining the entire celebration, poor ol’ Flounder couldn’t keep still. He swam to her defense.... Even if he did slip about the seagull.... His intentions were good.

3. HE CARES AND WORRIES ABOUT HER. It’s important to ask friends if they’re OK when they’re down. Flounder realizes that, when they’re in their secret cave as he asks: “Ariel are you OK?” with that adorable voice (that belongs to Jason Marin). He inquires and cares. And Ariel replies with that great song (that every Ariel fan LOVES!), Part of That World.

4. HE SYMPATHIZES WITH HER. When King Triton lost his temper and destroyed Ariel’s collection, we found him outside waiting for Ariel and sympathizing for her. “Poor Ariel!” he cries with Sebastian. He hates seeing Ariel sad. When the wedding ship departed and Ariel wept bitterly, Flounder was by her side shedding a few tears of his own. Aw! He’s such a cutie!

5. HE LOVES TO MAKE HER HAPPY. The greatest example was when he got Eric’s gaudy statue into their secret cavern. Ariel didn't have a clue what Flounder had in store for her! She’s so happy and ecstatic as she exclaims: “Oh Flounder! Flounder you're the best!” (‘Cause he is!)

6. HE LOVES HER SELFLESSLY. Imagine how much he was going to miss Ariel! She was his best friend! Now she was going off to a different world, a world in which it was impossible for the two to be together. He could have decided he didn't want to help her. He could have been angry. Was he? Of course not! Her happiness was his happiness. He stuck by her to the very end, always remaining the loyal sweetheart he’s always been.

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Silly & Sweet. ©1998

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