Father Wroshyr
Long ago, when our planet was young, things were much different than they are today. The Wroshyr trees were much smaller -- barely taller than the height of ten Wookiees. The Wookiees, too, were much different. They were a primitive people struggling to survive on the forest floor. At this time, our ancestors communicated only with gestures and used only the most basic of tools. They found themselves in the position of prey as often as in the position of hunter.
One day a wise Wroshyr tree spotted a young Wookiee with a special affinity for life in the forest. We know this tree as "Father Wroshyr", for it is the oldest and wisest tree on our homeworld. Father Wroshyr spoke to the young Wookiee and was happy to find that the Wookiee understood his words. Soon, the Wookiee learned the language of the Forest and began to teach it to his fellow Wookiees. With the gift of language, our ancestors found ways to organize themselves into villages, improving their chances of survival.
Village life also allowed our people to develop a sophisticated culture. Father Wroshyr taught the Wookiees to make complex tools and instructed them in the cultivation of Wroshyrs. You see, Wroshyr trees grow very quickly. With many new branches coming in each year, they crowd each other and restrict the tree's upward growth. Father Wroshyr taught the Wookiees to thin out the branches so that the trees could grow taller and taller. Those branches that remained grew larger and stronger. Our great Tree Father gave our ancestors the knowledge of how to manipulate the growth of the branches. Soon, they were able to coax the branches to grow together, forming the great platforms on which our villages and cities were built.
Century after century this relationship between Wookiee and Wroshyr has continued unbroken. With the guidance of Father Wroshyr the Wookiees developed our great civilization in harmony with the ways of the Forest . With the help of the Wookiees, the Wroshyrs have been able to reach for the sky and recognize their full potential.
Now you know the origin of this partnership between the Wookiees and our Wroshyr friends. We owe so much to these mighty trees. Without their help, we would still be cowering in the shadows of the forest floor, hiding from the predators. This is why each Wookiee should heed their words of our Tree Carers and observe our sacred duties to protect the Forest.
Commentary on "Father Wroshyr"
History and mythology have a tendancy to mix in Wookiee folktales. How much of this story is history and how much is mythology is still a topic of debate among Wookiee scholars. I honestly don't know.
This is a very popular story among the Wookiees, though. It is one of the first that I remember hearing during my childhood. Father Wroshyr is an awesome figure when you are a small Wookiee. Often our parents would encourage our good behavior by invoking his name. "What would Father Wroshyr think if he saw you acting like that?" I admit, I heard that line more than I would like to admit.
Is or was Father Wroshyr an actual tree? Again, I don't know how to answer that one. I certainly like to think so, although I have no idea where on Kashyyyk he actually was. Perhaps, with this story, it is better just to accept the possibility that "Father Wroshyr could be watching you". It will certainly make you think twice before doing something to harm the Forest.