Mohatu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mohatu is a fictional lion character who was introduced in the children's book and audio cassette set The Lion King: The Brightest Star, a spin-off book from Disney's popular 1994 animated film The Lion King. He is the father of Ahadi, grandfather of Mufasa and Scar, great-grandfather of Simba and great-great-grandfather of Kiara. In the book, Mohatu is described as a wise and gentle king by Mufasa as he tells Simba about the things Mohatu did.
He was the ruler during a terrible drought that had gripped the Pride Lands. The water hole was reduced to a puddle, and all of the grass dried up and died. Mohatu made a law about how much each animal could drink. Lions were to go the water hole last, as they could survive a relatively long time without water.
The law worked and each animal was able to survive. But one day a selfish, lazy lion (who looks very much like Scar) sat at the water hole and drank and drank. The other animals stood nearby waiting for him to finish. Eventually an antelope approached him and asked if she could have a drink as well. The lion lunged at her, and all of the waiting animals ran in fear. Mohatu was outraged when the news reached him, and decided that he had to find a more permanent solution to the water shortage problem.
Mohatu walked for many miles. After a while he came to a large river. After having a drink, he lay down to rest, when he heard someone crying. He went to investigate, and found a large crocodile sobbing in the river. The crocodile was lonely and wanted some friends, but the other animals were afraid of him, because he once bit Hippo's tail. Mohatu said he would help the crocodile gain the trust of the other animals again.
As Mohatu left the river, he bumped into a hippopotamus. Hippo said that she did not go to the river because he was scared of Crocodile. Mohatu walked further until he came to a wildebeest. The Wildebeest did not go to the river because he was scared of Hippo. Mohatu then came across a zebra. Zebra did not go to the river because Wildebeest did not go.
After Mohatu returned to the Pride Lands, he realized that of all the animals needed to trust each other so that they could all use the Great River. He then made the animals help one another, and soon all the animals became good friends and shared the water peacefully. The drought problem was solved.
Many years passed by under Mohatu's kind and gentle rule until Mohatu's death one winter's eve. The animals grieved heavily and began fighting again. But just as they thought that there would never be peace again, a mysterious star appeared in the sky. The star was bigger and brighter than any other star. It filled the animals with peace and harmony and the fighting ceased. They knew that the star was the spirit of their king.
| The Lion King | |
|---|---|
| Films | The Lion King | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | The Lion King 1½ |
| Characters | Ahadi | Kiara | Kopa | Kovu | Ma | Mohatu | Mufasa | Nala | Nuka | Rafiki | Sarabi | Sarafina | Scar | Shenzi, Banzai and Ed | Simba | Timon and Pumbaa | Tojo | Uncle Max | Uru | Vitani | Zazu | Zira |
| Songs | "Circle of Life" | "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" | "Be Prepared" | "Hakuna Matata" | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" |
| Books | The Lion King: Six New Adventures | The Lion King: The Brightest Star |
| Games | The Lion King | Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games |
| Other media | Original motion picture soundtrack | Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable | Rhythm of the Pride Lands | The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa | Broadway musical | Festival of the Lion King | Festival of the Lion King soundtrack |
| Misc | Kings of the Pride Lands | The Lion King family |
| See also | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | Kingdom Hearts II | Kimba the White Lion controversy |
