Star Wars: Apprentice of the Jedi

Doubts and Reflections

The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon as Skywalker walked towards the pond near the temple grounds. It was a peaceful spot, surrounded by tall trees and the sounds of nature, and he often came here to meditate. As he approached, he saw Ben sitting by the edge of the pond, his nose buried in an old Jedi text from the collection Luke had in the temple. Luke sensed that something was troubling Ben, and he knew that he needed to talk to him.

"Hey, kid," Luke said, trying to sound casual. "What are you reading?"

Ben looked up from the book, his expression guarded. "Just some old texts," he said, his voice flat.

Luke could sense that Ben was on edge. He decided to tread carefully, not wanting to push too hard. Luke then sat down next to his nephew.

"I used to sit here for hours, looking at the vast expanse of this place. It gave me peace whenever I felt alone," Luke said as he looked out over the pond. After a few moments, he looked over at Ben. "Something is troubling you."

"It's nothing," Ben replied.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked gently.

Ben hesitated, and then he spoke, his voice trembling slightly. "Do you ever doubt yourself? Doubt your abilities? Wonder if you're doing the right thing?"

Luke felt a pang of recognition at Ben's words. He knew all too well the feeling of doubt and uncertainty that came with being a Jedi. "I do," he said. "It's a natural part of being a Jedi. But it's important to remember that doubt can be a powerful tool. It can help us question our assumptions and find new perspectives."

"But what if I'm not strong enough?" he said. "What if I fail?"

"Ben, you are strong," he said firmly. "And you are capable of great things. But you need to believe in yourself. You need to trust in your abilities and your instincts."

Ben's expression darkened, and Luke sensed a sudden surge of anger and frustration in him. "How can I believe in myself when you don't trust me?" Ben snapped. "You're always holding me back, doubting my decisions. How can I become a great Jedi when my own family doesn't even believe in me?"

Luke's expression grew serious as he listened to Ben's outburst. He could sense the turmoil and doubt within him, but Ben's accusation took him aback.

"That's not true," Luke said firmly. "I trust you, but I'm also responsible for your training. Being a Jedi isn't just about making your own decisions," he said. "It's about understanding the Force and using it wisely. Sometimes, that means making difficult choices."

Ben looked away, his expression still angry and frustrated. Luke could sense that he was struggling to control his emotions.

"I understand that you're feeling overwhelmed," Luke said, his tone softening. "But you can't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

There was a long moment of silence, and then Ben spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I believe that," he said. "I don't know if I believe in myself."

Luke took a deep breath and spoke softly. "The Force will always be with you. You just need to learn to trust it. Trust yourself."

Luke then smiled and put his hand on Ben's shoulder. "I know you'll make the right decisions when the time comes."

Ben looked up at Luke, his expression softer now.

As Luke and Ben finished their conversation, a teenage student approached them. "Master Skywalker, Master Solo," he said, bowing respectfully. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but a couple of the training droids were broken during this morning's session."