the walls were of coral, the roof of jadestone and chrysoprase, and the floors were of the finest mother-of-pearl. but the dragon king, in spite of his wide-spreading kingdom, his beautiful palace and all its wonders, and his power which none disputed throughout the whole sea, was not at all happy, for he reigned alone. at last he thought that if he married he would not only be happier, but also more powerful. so he decided to take a wife. calling all his fish retainers together, he chose several of them as ambassadors to go through the sea and seek for a young dragon princess who would be his bride.