Tomorrow
When Obi-wan first came to the Jedi Temple, he was quite young. While he wasn't a baby like most initiates, he was still a child. A determined, charming child, but a child none the less. And though Qui-Gon Jinn would not remember it until years later, the young boy had actually helped him before they really knew each other.
"Kookaburra sits in an old gum tree; merry merry king of the bush is he…" Obi-wan was maybe four when he caught his first glimpse of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. The boy was sitting on the limb of a tree humming to himself when a shadow seemed to appear.
While most children his age would have probably fallen out of the tree in shock, Obi-Wan had simply dusted off his hands and sat up to his full height on the delicate tree branch.
"What are you doing up there youngling?" The voice held a hint of amusement. Looking down, Obi-Wan found himself peering into the face of a man he'd later grow to love. Kind blue eyes stared at him, waiting for his answer.
"Mentor Jelae told me to go outside for a bit. She said that if I didn't stop getting underfoot she'd ban me from the library."
The honest response surprised Qui-Gon, as well as the way the boy said it. Xantos had often disparaged those who would punish him. This boy spoke in a genteel way, and had a simple accepting tone.
"What were you doing that was interfering with her concentration?" the Jedi Master queried farther.
"I kept asking her to tell me stories. She won't let me get the books from back room 'cause she thinks I'll get them dirty." A little indignation colored the boy's tone.
"You are able to read?" Pondering this, Qui-Gon gave the child in front of him a once over.
"To a certain point. Some books are harder than others. Bant was showing me how to sound out the bigger words!" Obi-Wan puffed out his chest in pride. Feeling emboldened by Force knows what; he stepped closer to Qui-Gon.
"You seem sad." Arching an eyebrow, Qui-Gon let a flicker of amusement into the force.
"Do I?"
"Yes." The blunt answer was given, but no arrogance was to be found in the boy.
"Well…I am a little bit I guess." Qui-Gon ceded.
"Do you know the tomorrow song?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I'm afraid not." Qui-Gon answered, a tad bewildered at the sudden change in subject.
"Siri taught it to Garen and I for when we are really sad.
The Sun'll come out, tomorrow The sun'll come out tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun
just thinking about tomorrow,
wipes away the cobwebs and the sorrows til there's none
When I'm stuck with a day, that's gray and lonely
I just stick up chin and grin and say….Oh!
so you gotta hang on til tomorrow come what may…"
After the youngling had finished his recitation of the song, Qui-Gon smiled softly.
"I'll certainly remember this song, next time I feel sorrow."
"Good!" Obi-Wan's earnest, happy gaze reminded him of a puppy. Patting the boy's head, Qui-Gon trotted off down the path back toward the Room of Thousand Fountains still grinning gently in remembrance of the boy. As if suddenly remembering something, he spun back to where the boy still sat, playing in the tree and humming to himself.
"What is your name youngling?" Laughing, sky blue eyes danced at him as the boy replied.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi. Nice meeting you master!"
"And you young one." As the Jedi Master made his retreat, he could still hear the song coming from the boy's thoughts.
"You're always a day away…"