The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving

Mr. Threehorn becomes extremely protective of the remaining water sources after the meteorites cause a severe drought in the Great Valley. His aggressive behavior stems from fear for the survival of his community, he believes that guarding what little water remains is the only way to ensure everyone's survival. However, his stern approach comes across as dismissive and hostile toward the other dinosaurs, particularly Littlefoot and his friends.

Early in the film, Mr. Threehorn's protective stance is shown through his stern warnings to other dinosaurs about staying away from the shrinking water holes.

The drought was triggered by a meteor shower that struck near the Great Valley. The meteorites caused a significant decrease in the water supply, creating a severe water shortage that threatened the survival of all inhabitants. This natural disaster sets the entire plot in motion, forcing the dinosaurs to seek new water sources.

The film opens with the meteor shower, immediately establishing the environmental crisis that drives the story.

Hyp, Mutt, and Nod are teenage dinosaurs, a Hypsilophodon, Muttaburrasaurus, and Nodosaurus, who stumble upon Littlefoot's group during their quest for water. While not inherently evil, they are mischievous and cause problems inadvertently. They chase Littlefoot's friends and claim a newly discovered lake for themselves, demanding silence. Their troublesome behavior leads Mr. Threehorn to mistakenly blame Littlefoot and his companions.

The teenagers' arrival coincides with increased tension, as Mr. Threehorn conflates their mischief with Littlefoot's group.

The wildfire begins when lightning strikes a nearby tree during the chaos of the children escaping from the bullies. The lightning ignites the tree, and the fire rapidly spreads through the valley, forcing all the dinosaurs to flee to the safety of the Mysterious Beyond. This catastrophic event compounds the existing drought crisis.

The wildfire erupts suddenly during the pursuit scene, escalating the stakes dramatically.

The teenagers venture into the Mysterious Beyond alone driven by a desire to prove themselves and find water before Littlefoot's group. Their motivation is partly competitive, they want to win the race to discover new water sources and gain recognition. Littlefoot and his friends follow behind, concerned for their safety and willing to offer help despite previous conflicts.

This decision stems from the earlier disagreement among the adults about how to proceed, pushing the teenagers to act independently.

Hyp gets stuck in a tar pit because he mistakes it for a body of water. Eager to find water first, he rushes toward what appears to be a dark, still surface without properly assessing the danger. His impulsiveness leads him deep into the tar, where he becomes trapped. Littlefoot and his friends then work together to rescue him, demonstrating unity and forgiveness.

Hyp's reckless behavior earlier in the film hints at his hasty decision-making nature.

Mr. Threehorn shows sympathy for Hyp after witnessing Hyp's father harshly scold him for getting stuck in the tar pit. Mr. Threehorn recognizes that Hyp's troublesome behavior stems from being mistreated by his own father, Nicholas Guest. This understanding prompts Mr. Threehorn to give a heartfelt lecture about kindness and patience, advising his own son to be more empathetic toward those who are bullied.

The film hints at Hyp's difficult home life through his father's harsh arrival and scolding.

The Velociraptors attack the herd during their journey to find water in the Mysterious Beyond. The pack ambushes the dinosaurs while they are searching for the blocked water source. This violent encounter forces the adults to confront the predators while trying to hold back a dam of boulders created by the meteorites, creating a tense battle that ultimately leads to the dam's collapse.

The Velociraptor attack occurs suddenly during the quest, raising the stakes significantly.

Breaking the dam releases the stored water that had been blocked by boulders created by the meteorites. The sudden rush of water floods the valley, washing away the Velociraptors and dousing the remaining wildfires. This not only eliminates the immediate predator threat but also restores water to the drought-stricken valley, allowing the community to begin recovering.

The dam of boulders was introduced earlier as the cause of the water blockage.

The Time of the Great Giving is the name given to the period after the crisis is resolved. It represents the spirit of cooperation and generosity that emerges among the dinosaurs. After the wildfire destroys most of their food, the community works together, sharing resources and moving between patches of remaining greenery. This collective effort and willingness to help one another defines the new tradition of sharing that marks their recovery.

The title itself refers to the film's central theme of generosity and working together.

The wildfire destroys most of the lush, green food in the Great Valley. However, the dinosaurs discover patches of still-verdant land that remain green and provide enough food for the community. By cooperating and moving from one lush area to another, they are able to survive and rebuild together, reinforcing the theme of shared resources.

The aftermath shot shows the charred valley contrasted with small green areas.