Title: Child's Play
Author: Apprentice D
Category: Short Story
Rating: PG
Archive: Jedi Apprentice, Wolfie's Den
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: I am not now, nor have I ever been, George Lucas. But I love
playing in his galaxy.
Feedback: Love it!
Obi-Wan is 14 years old in this story
*******
The voices in the room seemed to be getting louder with each passing hour. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Apprentice was a silent observer at the negotiations his Master was supervising. Everyone present seemed to be on a short fuse. Even worse, they seemed to resent the very presence of the Jedi. After the most recent outburst, the Jedi Master had formally called for a short break. Not that it had changed anything. The negotiators merely walked out on the terrace and continued to harangue each other.
"Master, may I have permission to go outside during this break?" Obi-Wan asked.
Qui-Gon leaned close to his Padawan. "By all means, Obi-Wan. Go and stretch your legs." He grimaced slightly. "I only wish I could go with you. However, I fear that if I leave the room, there will be no one left alive when I return."
Obi-Wan grinned sympathetically. "You'll find a way to convince them, Master. You always do."
Qui-Gon watched his apprentice leave the room and then steeled himself to join the others on the terrace. "Force, but these people are stubborn," he thought. "Why can't I make them see that it's to their benefit to work together?"
His entrance onto the terrace went virtually unnoticed as the group assembled there continued to argue with each other. Qui-Gon moved to a corner of the terrace and looked out over the grounds. A short distance from the building, there were two groups of children playing some sort of sports game. Most of them were children of the people standing around him. They appeared to be several years younger than his Padawan. He noted that Obi-Wan had settled under a tree next to the field but couldn't tell if he was watching the game or not.
The negotiators had also noticed the children in the field and ceased their squabbling to become spectators. The Jedi had closed his eyes, grateful for even a few moments of peace, when the sound of arguing broke through his reverie. Only this time, it was coming from outside the building. An argument had broken out on the playing field. Two boys were nose to nose and shouting loudly at each other.
"Look," sneered a voice behind him. "Even their children don't know how to play fair."
Another voice was heard. "How can you play at all with a bunch of bullies? Your children are just like you!"
The conflict on the terrace was threatening to outdo the one on the field. Qui-Gon was beginning to wonder how to justify the use of his lightsaber as a negotiating tool when he became aware of the children gesturing for his Padawan to join them. Obi-Wan walked over to them and took hold of the ball that was apparently the cause of the argument.
The adults on the terrace grew quiet as they realized their children had ceased to argue. Although he could discern the calm, steady tone of the young Jedi's voice, Qui-Gon was not close enough to hear what was being said on the field. They watched as the children all sat on the ground and listened to what Obi-Wan was saying. At one point, they even laughed together.
After a couple of minutes, they all stood up. Obi-Wan held out the ball. Each of the boys involved in the altercation seemed reluctant to take it. Finally, Obi-Wan set the ball on the ground and placed a hand on each boy's shoulder. He pulled them close and spoke softly to them. When Obi-Wan moved away, the boys clasped hands and returned to their teams. Obi-Wan picked up the ball and threw it high into the air. The game had resumed.
The silence on the terrace was deafening. Finally, one of the negotiators stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"Master Jinn, I believe we are ready to resume the negotiations."
"Yes, " seconded a member of the other team. "And, I believe that this time, we will be able to reach an agreement. Our children have shown us the wisdom of listening to an outside party."
The rest of the group murmured their agreement.
"Excellent," Qui-Gon responded. "I will join you in a moment."
Obi-Wan saw that everyone was returning to the room. He sprinted back to the building and joined his waiting Master on the terrace.
"Are you ready to resume the negotiations, Master?" he asked.
"Yes," Qui-Gon responded with a smile. "But perhaps I should let you lead the next round."
"Master?" Obi-Wan asked with a puzzled look.
"I was watching you just now. You did well, my apprentice."
Obi-Wan blushed at the quiet praise from his master. "It was just a minor dispute over who had possession of the ball. Easily resolved."
Qui-Gon gave his apprentice's braid an affectionate tug. "The man who cannot solve a minor dispute has no hope of solving a major one, Obi-Wan."
"Yes, Master," he replied.
"You were able to get those children's attention, something I have not been able to do with the adults. I look forward to hearing how you accomplished that. But right now, there is a roomful of people who are finally ready to negotiate in good faith."
Qui-Gon stole a final look at the children in the field and then turned his gaze to his Padawan. "How fortunate we all are to have such wise children," he thought.
Aloud, he said, "Come, my Padawan. Let's not keep them waiting."
And the negotiations resumed.
THE END
This was posted on January 14, 2001.
© 2000 heather.lively@ns.sympatico.ca
Get your own Free Home Page