Once upon an island, Grandma Tala tells a story about their island Te Fiti to all of the little kids.

Grandma Tala says that a powerful Demigod, named Maui, steals Te Fiti's heart which is a green gemstone, and without it, the island starts to deteriorate. However, when Maui was traveling back, he was attacked, losing the heart of Te Fiti. She says the heart is still out in the sea and the monsters are still haunting their island. 

Moana longs for the sea and is curious what is out there. She has been told from a small child that no one should ever pass the reef. She goes to the water and grabs a seashell when a wave goes over her.  

Moana plays with the water and sees the heart of Te Fiti, she grabs it but drops it again. However, this symbolizes the ocean "choosing" Moana to help save the island. 

"Moana, you cannot go into the ocean, it's too dangerous."

This demonstrates Moana's original desire for a "self-can-do-it" mindset. It shows the "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt" Stage of Development in her wish to be independent and to do what she wants even though it's against what her parents said. 

Moana still longs for the ocean, again and again. This represents the "initiative vs Guilt" stage of development because Moana is intrigued and wants to explore, but then encounters guilt when she is repeatedly told not to go past the reef. 

Moana's father was the chief of the island Te Fiti and Moana always looked up and praised him.

Moana grows older, taking on more tasks as the chief's daughter on the island. Because of her hard-work in pleasing her father, she shows the "industry vs Inferiority" stage in development.

As Moana grows older, she decides to turn against her father and tackle her goal anyway. 

She makes her way into the ocean, and tries to get past the reef!!

Moana fails in her attempt of going into the ocean, but her lovely grandmother comforts her and even explains that the ocean "chose" her.  

Moana's grandma shows her the "roots" of their island and how their people used to be voyagers. This inspires and excites Moana to go into the ocean ever more!

Moana's grandma has become very ill, leaving the whole family very sad.

"Take the heart of Te Fiti and save our island!"

This encouragement from Moana's grandma symbolizes the "Ego Integrity vs Despair" stage in development, in which the grandma reflects back on her life with a sense of happiness and peace, and encourages her granddaughter to live in the same way.

Moana is off on her journey and she made it past the reef!! Now her mission is to find Maui, the demigod who stole the heart of Te Fiti.  

Moana finally meets Maui, the demigod, with a rough encounter, and a harsh refusal to return the heart of Te Fiti.