Rei Mohathu

CHARACTER INFORMATION

Occupation: King of the Pride Lands Great Kings of the Past Home: Pride Rock, Pride Lands Likes: Peace in your kingdom Dislikes: Threats to his kingdom, upsetting his subjects Status: Dead Family: Ahadi † (son or son-in-law) Uru † (daughter or daughter-in-law) Mufasa † (grandson) Scar † (grandson) Sarabi (granddaughter) Simba (great-grandson) Nala (great-granddaughter) Kiara (great-granddaughter) Kion (great-great-grandson) Kovu (great-great-grandson) "I am Mohatu, king of the Pride Lands."-- Mohatu to Crocodile Mohatu is the king of the Pride Lands in The Brightest Star.

PERSONALITY

"It is many miles away, across the plains, over the mountains and through the forest. In order for all of us to get there safely, we need everyone's cooperation. While we are traveling, no one is allowed to harm any other animal. That is the only way we can survive this difficult drought."-- Mohatu Mohatu was well known for being a wise king. He harbored a deep affection and loyalty towards his subjects, which was most prominent when he would willingly leave his homeland in search of a new water source for the Pride Lands. He was a peacemaker, but could also be firm in his decisions and orders. Many animals admired him for his bravery and strength, but occasionally ignored him because of his peaceful nature. He was ultimately selfless and quite intelligent in his own right.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Mohatu had light brown fur and a thick brown mane with a distinct small curl on the right side near the forehead. He had two tufts of brown hair on both elbows and a brown tuft on his tail. Its snout, belly and paws were beige and its eyes were sandy orange. As far as build goes, Mohatu closely resembles his grandson Mufasa, although on closer inspection, he had Simba's facial features. King Mohatu was a giant who was 3.6 meters long and weighed 345kg.

HISTORY

In Mohatu's time, there was a terrible drought. In order to distribute the rations fairly, Mohatu made a law about how much water each animal could drink. He also proclaimed that the lions should be the last to receive their share, as they could go days without water. The law was enforced and the animals survived. But then one day, a selfish and lazy lion came to the waterhole and drank more than his fill. Many animals stood at a distance, waiting for him to finish. But when one approached him, asking if she could drink, the lion pounced on her and scared the remaining animals. When Mohatu heard the news, he was outraged. He wondered how they would survive if one of their own kind could not cooperate. As the drought worsened and the remaining water dwindled, Mohatu called the animals to Pride Rock and told them that he would go on a long journey to find a solution to their problems. He set out on his journey and walked far and wide. Finally, he reached a lush jungle, which appeared to be the same oasis where Timon and Pumbaa made their home many years later. After drinking some from the river, Mohatu lay down in the shade for a brief rest. But as he was dozing, he heard the sound of someone crying. Curious, he went in to get a better look. Upon reaching the river, he saw a huge crocodile sitting in the water, crying. He asked what was wrong, and the crocodile swam to the shore. Mohatu saw how huge and powerful he really was, and if he hadn't been the brave king that he was, he would have been terrified. The crocodile told Mohatu that "it was a kind lion to ask." He then went on to explain that he was lonely, as he scared everyone away from the watering hole. Mohatu asked if he had ever given the animals a reason to fear him, and the crocodile admitted that he had once bitten Hippo's tail.

HISTORY

Mohatu tells him that it was no wonder they were afraid, and that he needed to earn their trust again. Crocodile asks how he could do that, if no one came to the river. Mohatu tells him that he would take care of it, and then introduces himself as king of the Pride Lands. After leaving the river, Mohatu runs into Hippo. He asks Hippo why he is not at the river, and Hippo admits that she is afraid of Crocodile. Mohatu then bumps into a wildebeest and asks the same question. The wildebeest tells him that in order to get to the river, he must pass Hippo, who is afraid of him. Mohatu then talks to a zebra, who tells him that he has been hiding among the wildebeest in constant fear of lions. If the wildebeest would not go to the river, then neither would the zebras. After hearing many tales from the animals, Mohatu thinks to himself that these animals have the same problem as his own: they do not trust each other. Discovering a solution to the problem, he travels home. Upon reaching the Pride Lands, the animals gather around him and ask what he has discovered. The king tells the animals that he has found a Great River from which they can drink. The animals cheer and ask where it is. Mohatu tells them that it is very far from their home and that in order to survive, they must cooperate with each other. No animal should harm another during the journey. A zebra speaks up, reminding the king that the last law did not stand and that it was one of Mohatu's own kind who broke it. He proclaims that he does not trust the selfish lion and will not go without the protection of the wildebeest. The wildebeest refuse to go for fear of the hippos that live in the river. A hippopotamus attacks them and proclaims that it is the crocodiles that should be feared. As Mohatu tries to explain about the crocodile, the animals go into a huge uproar and Mohatu must roar for silence.

HISTORY

Zebra speaks again, telling Mohatu that it was every animal for himself. Whoever got there first got to take as much water as he wanted. Without another word, he galloped away. The animals immediately took off after Zebra, and it was a sight so great that Mohatu would never forget. The battle for the waterhole was fierce, but Zebra finally won the contest. After reaching the waterhole, he began to drink from the abundant water. But then he realized that he was sinking steadily into the quicksand. The other animals tried to help him, but to no avail. At the last moment, Mohatu caught up with them, carrying Cheetah on his back, who had fallen in the race to the waterhole. The animals begged him to help Zebra, but Mohatu could do nothing, as Zebra was too deep in the quicksand. Mohatu then had an idea and called the crocodile that lived in the Great River. But to everyone's surprise, a very large and mean-looking crocodile approached the bank, asking the king what he wanted. Mohatu explained to the crocodile that Zebra was sinking and needed help. Crocodile swims closer to examine the situation and proclaims that he knows how to help Zebra. Climbing up onto the bank, he grips the ground firmly and gives Zebra his tail. Zebra holds on and Crocodile pulls him to shore. Zebra thanks Crocodile profusely and Crocodile proudly accepts his thanks. But as Zebra is about to leave, Mohatu reminds him that he owes Cheetah an apology for kicking him on the way to the waterhole. He adds that he must also make sure that Cheetah gets home safely. Zebra apologizes and Cheetah accepts his apology. The Pridelanders then drink their fill of the river. When they are done, they bid Crocodile a fond farewell. From that day on, the animals of the Pride Lands travel to the jungle oasis to get their fill of water.

HISTORY

But when a great rain comes and the Pride Lands become lush and green again, the animals no longer need to return to the Great River. But Mohatu never forgot the friends he made there. He would occasionally visit Crocodile, where he would see hippos, zebras, and wildebeests on the riverbanks. Mohatu ruled for a long time, perhaps the longest of any king, and grew very old. But one winter's eve, he died. All his subjects mourned the loss of their king. Many felt lost without him, and fighting broke out among them again. But just as all hope was lost, a star appeared in the sky. Bigger and brighter than the rest. The animals were at peace, and felt the same way they had when Crocodile had first let them drink from his great river. They knew it was the spirit of their king, who still watched over them from the stars.