THE LION'S AWAKENING SUMMARY

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• Sunidata was predicted to be a great leader but he still could not walk.
• Quote: "Few people believe this prophecy, however, because
• Mari Dhata is already seven years old and has still not learned how
• to walk (An Epic of Old Mali,105)."

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• Sundiata's mother, Sogolon Kedjou was being laughed at by
• the king's first wife Sassouma.
• "'Help yourself, you poor woman. As for me, my son knew how to
• walk at seven and it was he who went and picked these babab
• leaves (An Epic of Old Mali, 106)."

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• Sogolon tried to humiliate Sogolon and Sundiata decided he was
• going to walk that day.
• "When Balla Fasseke came to order the iron rid, Faeakourou
• said to him, 'The great day has arrived then?'
• (An Epic of Old Mali, 107)."

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• Sunidata struggled and tried to walk.
• "He crept on all fours and came to the iron bar. Supporting himself
• on his knees and one hand, with the other hand he picked up the
• iron bar without any effort and stood up vertically (An Epic of Old Mali,
• 107)."

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• Sundiata finally stood up and walked with the iron bar to his mother,
• and he became very popular.
• "Sogolon Djata walked. From that day forward the queen mother
• had no more peace of mind. But what can one do against destiny
• (The Epic of Mali, 109)."

The Sundiata was bone as an epic hero, even though he could not walk until he was seven years old, once he started walking, he could pick up an iron rod easily. He was so strong since he was born. And he was brave to pick up the iron rod so his mother would not be humiliated by the queen mother.