25 Days of Christmas in a Galaxy Far Far Away

Chapter 9

Anakin spent the first 9 years of his life in a desert, his first Christmas on Coruscant gives him something he never thought he'd see, snow.

"Master, look!" The small boy which Obi-Wan knew was Anakin called out to him. How his padawan had gotten into his room was beyond him, but it wasn't like he could kick him out now.

"What is it, Anakin," a very tired Obi-Wan complained as he pulled his robe over his sleep clothes and walked towards the window that Anakin was looking out. "And how did you get in here anyway?"

"Master Yoda let me in." Anakin replied like the answer was simple." And what is that?" The young padawan pressed his finger the window, wiping away any mist that had formed their overnight. Obi-Wan walked to his side to get a look at what Anakin was pointing at. He smiled when he saw it.

"That, my young padawan, would be snow." Of course Anakin had been confused, perhaps astonished. He had grown up on a desert planet, not once in his life had he seen snow before, Obi-Wan doubted that he had ever even celebrated a proper Christmas, it was up to him to give Anakin that experience. Developing a plan in his head, he watched as Anakin's expression changed from confusion to excitement to something that looked like fear, and then back to excitement.

"You mean like the cold, white thing that falls from the sky like rain!"

"Yes," Obi-Wan replied with a nod of his head.

"Cool! Can I go touch it," Anakin began tugging on the sleeve of Obi-Wan's robe. "Come on, Master!"

Obi-Wan happily followed, taking a few steps to regain his posture. Force, Anakin was strong. He followed his padawan down the halls of the temple, saying hello to every Jedi they passed. When the reached outside, Anakin quickly threw himself into the mounds of snow that had fallen overnight. Almost as quickly as he had thrown himself into the snow, he jumped back out shivering. "It's freezing, wh...why is it sooo....so cold!"

"It's frozen water, Anakin. It has to be cold or it wouldn't exist." Obi-Wan groaned at Anakin's strange talent for rushing into things before knowing what he was getting himself into.

"But whyyyyy," Anakin whined and Obi-Wan rested his forehead in his hand. The Jedi knight was beginning to rethink what he had planned.

"Why don't we go inside and warm off." It was cold, enough to make Obi-Wan tug his robe tighter around him. He could only imagine how much discomfort Anakin was in, he'd grown up on a desert, never adjusted to cold weather, and just decided to fling himself into a pile of snow.

"I think that's a good idea," and Anakin rushed back inside as fast as he could. Obi-Wan followed him, mumbling to himself something about how he never got a break.

Upon reaching Obi-Wan's quarters, the Jedi knight turned on the fireplace and grabbed Anakin a pair of warmer cloths and a blanket. "Thanks, Master," was the padawans reply as he wrapped the blanket around him and placed himself in front of the crackling fire. "Tomorrow's Christmas, right."

"Yes, and I have a plan already." Obi-Wan smiled as he finished the hot coco and handed one cup to Anakin and kept the other for himself.

"What's it like, I've never celebrated Christmas before," Anakin pondered as he took a sip from the steaming mug. The look he gave Obi-Wan was filled with admiration, like he was looking up to a father or older brother.

"It's a wonderful holiday, one of my favorites, and you will see why tomorrow," Obi-Wan answered with one of his vague answers that Anakin had told himself he was going to have to get used to.

"I've heard so many stories, and one of the other padawan told me that there's a ton of music and books and holofilms. Do you have any?"

"I do," Obi-Wan grabbed a book that was sitting on a nearby table.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas?" Anakin's eyes once again filled with curiosity. Obi-Wan nodded and began to read.

It was rare for Anakin to be quiet, the young boy always had something to say, but he didn't say a word as he listened to the story unfold in front of him. He was already enjoying Christmas, the spirit, the storied to be told, and yes, even the snow(just slightly).

Anyone seen the video of James Arnold Taylor reading How The Grinch Stole Christmas as Obi-Wan? That was defiantly the inspiration for the ending. If you haven't, watch it!