Author - Jedi_Linewalker: (from the Jedi Council forums)
.?usr=1181942

Shmi,

You are quite right about the welcoming of strangers. Many of our greatest friends are culled from the ranks of once strangers. Friends can be made in many ways, but interaction and helping are the best.

It sounds definitely as if they are. All the more reason for me to say thank you once more.

Food in the Temple can be a rather esoteric experience all in and of itself at times. My padawan, Obi-Wan, knows a man that owns a diner not far from the Temple. We eat there often. The praise was honest, good words for good food, and much appreciated.

You have a very valid point, Shmi, and I see where Anakin gets his selflessness from. Its a very admirable and good trait. You're a very wise woman, my friend, and I value the time I've spent, and shall spend, in your company. My own wisdom appears to have reached its peak some time ago. Its good to be around those with some remaining still.

My seeking to repay you was motivated by the knowledge that your resources are limited. I wouldn't presume to take food from your own mouth. I am not that sort of man. You have a very hard and harsh life here. You need every bit you can muster, and when I take, I wish to replace, so there is no additional burden. A giving back to you of your kindness, a repaying your kindness, if you will.

Yes, so he was. Jedi don't often find themselves out this far, no. Naboo is not far from here, and is a member world of the Republic. This was the closest safe haven we could find. It seems the Force guided us in the right direction.

I was perhaps misleading. If so, that is my fault, and completely unintentional. The strongest thing Anakin said was when he called Sebulba a "slimeball." Sebulba, on the other hand, wasn't quite so delicate. Anakin handled it well, though.

Most Gungans don't travel offworld. They prefer to stay on Naboo, near their lakes.

Your teachings do you honor and credit. Many beings, in fact, most beings do not possess the sort of kindness and clearness of heart and purpose that you and Anakin do. It takes far more strength than some realize to be so, especially faced with what you face every day. The Force, God, whatever you choose to call It, or Him, has a way of guiding us where we're supposed to go. I believe Anakin will do well.

Podracing is indeed dangerous. It doesn't surprise me that Anakin is the only human capable of doing so. Watto is a crafty one. It makes sense that he would look into such a thing, without question.

He has genuine desire and enthusiasm. That makes up for many things, sometimes. Often, our ability to do something is tied to our belief in our ability to do that thing.

Yes, I believe it very strongly. You can feel it about him, if you know what to feel for. Its very strong with him.

It is the truth. The queen is the Queen of Naboo, and rules the human population of the same planet that Jar Jar is from. Its not a desireable means to achieve this, but unfortunately, it appears to be the only means. Your willingness is greatly appreciated.

Indeed, it may well be. Had he been born in the Republic, he'd have been identified early, and would have been taken for training, if you'd wished and allowed it. Its very important that people that strong with the Force are taught to use it, and use it well and wisely.

I asked because I was curious to know if his father had been a Jedi at one time. The name isn't familiar to me. Its possible that the talent could have just passed through many generations, or culminated strongly in him. I was hoping for an explanation of his ability, but it seems I'm not meant to know, not yet, anyway.

That sounds like a rather odd behavior for a man that loved his family. Then again, I'm assuming that there's things in play that I'm not seeing from your description? You're a fine woman, Shmi, and I can't imagine a man willingly giving you up to such a fate, not without some sort of backup plan in the works.

Ah, now that name is vaguely familiar. I believe he and I lived on the same wing of the Temple, many years ago, when we were little more than children. I'd never heard what happened to him afterwards, but I knew I never saw him much, and then never, after that fact. Yes, it does help, considerably. Thank you.

With your permission, and as Anakin seems convinced he can do this, and as he's obviously done it before with little risk, I'll keep an eye on him if he does it. I can't, of course, make him do it by any means, but the expediency we'd gain, as well as the parts and means to perform our duty, would be tremendous. Thank you, very much. It means far more to far more people than I can recount to you.

A friend
Qui-Gon Jinn