Ashtaa

Ashtaa is a female elephant. She is the leader of a herd of elephants who live within or close by the jungle.
When Ashtaa's daughter Belee got separated from her herd, she was taken in by Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa. Ashtaa found the friends and thanked them for protecting her daughter, after which she invited them to accompany the herd to an elephants' graveyard. Once there, Ashtaa uncovered a plot by her son, Harak, to kill Belee out of jealousy. She reprimanded her son for the scheme and reconciled her children.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Ashtaa lived within or close by the jungle. At some point in her life, she became the leader of her herd. She took a mate, with whom she had two calves: Belee and Harak.
===Trip to the elephants' graveyard===
When Ashtaa's young daughter Belee got separated from her herd, she ran into Simba and his friends, Timon and Pumbaa. While staying with the trio, Belee talked about life in a herd and how her mother was the leader of her particular herd. Not long after this, Ashtaa herself showed up with her trunk wrapped tightly around a surprised Timon. Belee was delighted at the sight of her mother and rushed forward to embrace her. Grateful to Simba and his friends for taking care of Belee, Ashtaa offered the trio a place to stay in the herd.
With the added presence of Simba and his friends, the herd rejoiced Belee's return, save Ashtaa's son Harak, who was jealous of Belee for hogging Ashtaa's attention. After the close of the celebrations, the herd moved out, with Simba and his friends at the head with Ashtaa and Belee.
When the elephants stopped to bathe at a water hole, Ashtaa pulled Simba aside and questioned him on his family life. Though saddened by memories of his life in the Pride Lands, Simba explained that Timon and Pumbaa were his family. Intent on changing the subject, he asked Ashtaa where the herd was headed, and Ashtaa explained that they were going to an "elephants' graveyard." She then pointed out to Simba her Aunt Darann, who was preparing for a peaceful death in the graveyard. In answer to Simba's horror, Ashtaa explained that all living creatures must accept their fate, even if those left behind were in grief.
The next day, Ashtaa and her herd reached the elephants' graveyard. As Darann prepared for death, Ashtaa instructed the children to go elsewhere and enjoy themselves. She then leaned down beside her aunt and stayed with her as she died. However, the peace was soon broken by Claws, who had been hired by Harak to distract Ashtaa while Belee was put to death. In order to protect her aunt, Ashtaa waved her trunk at the bird to fend him off.
When the incident was over and Ashtaa had heard the whole story, she thanked Simba for protecting her daughter. She then berated Harak for his jealous behavior and assured him that she loved him just as much as she loved Belee. Because Belee was younger, she required more attention from her mother. This did not mean that she was any more loved than her brother. Harak accepted his mother's words and vowed to never be jealous of his sister again.
When the elephants returned to the graveyard, they found that Darann has died peacefully among the skeletons. Though Simba was sad at the old elephant's passing, Ashtaa was at peace, for it had been Darann's time. The herd then set out from the graveyard en route to the jungle and home. On the way, Ashtaa gave birth to a son, who became a part of life and death's ever-turning circle. Once home, Simba told Ashtaa that he hoped to be as wise as she someday. Ashtaa smiled and assured him that he would.
==Physical appearance==
Ashtaa is a large, tall, and well-built elephant. She has pale golden skin, with white toes and tusks. She has black eyes.
==Personality and traits==
Ashtaa is steady and strong-willed, able to withstand the deaths of close family members while simultaneously comforting others in their grief. She is a strong influence on her children especially, watching out for them and caring for them when she sees them in need. Even Simba, who had only known Ashtaa for a brief time, commented on her many years of experience and wisdom. In tough situations, she is able to offer advice and remind others that there is always good that comes out of sadness. She is also a firm believer in living life to its fullest so that precious days are not wasted.
Despite her wisdom and many years as a mother, Ashtaa is not always able to distinguish when her children need her most, as she was oblivious to Harak's growing resentment of his younger sister. Although she loves them both equally, Ashtaa gives Belee more attention, as she is the younger of the two. However, even in the face of accusations made by her son, she was calm and kept a cool head.
==Appearances==
* Hakuna Matata
** The Elephants' Graveyard
==Trivia==
* The latter part of Ashtaa's name ("taa") means "light" in Swahili.
==References==
Category:Characters
Category:Elephants
Category:Females
Category:Leaders