The Katarn in the Mouf Herd
Far away in the deepest part of the forest ...
... there lived a katarn. He was not like the other katarn. He loved the feel of the sunlight on his face. He longed to spend his days up in the lit part of the forest with the other animals.
The other katarn would laugh at him. "That would go against your nature," they would say, "you are destined for the Shadowlands, you know."
No matter what the other katarns said, he knew he was right. So, when the others were not looking he started his ascent. Up and up, through the levels of the forest, he went until he could feel the warmth of the sun. But, after while, the katarn was lonely. He longed for companionship.
He wandered through the forest until he came upon a herd of mouf. The mouf stood side by side, happily grazing on the many green plants they found.
"That's it," he thought to himself, "I will be a mouf." So, he stood like a mouf and began to graze. Little by little, he edged toward the herd. At first, they were uneasy about his presence, but as he kept actly like a mouf they eventually accepted him as one of their herd.
Many days went by with the katarn enjoying the company of his new herd. But as each day passed, his stomach became more and more unhappy. Katarn are not made to eat greens, so he could not survive on the diet of the mouf. Still, he tried very hard to be a good mouf.
But, eventually, his hunger got the better of him. He jumped on the back of a large female mouf and bit violently into her neck. With little effort he killed her. The other mouf screamed in terror and ran off into the forest, leaving the katarn alone to feed on his prey. As he lay there fat, and satisfied, he realized that the other katarn had been right all along.
So, the katarn returned to his pack in the Shadowlands where he lived out his life as the forest had intended.
Commentary on "The Katarn in the Mouf Herd"
I remember telling this story to an alien friend and watching her reaction. I suppose, to someone who is not familiar with the ways of the forest, it might sound a bit horrible.
Many of our stories revolve around the realities of life on Kashyyyk. The forest is a generous host, but it is also quite dangerous. If you are not careful, the hunter can quickly become the prey.
Of all the predators on our planet, the katarn are one of the most respected. They are also often the most vilified in our stories, I think.
You have to understand that the katarn thrive in those places that make the Wookiees most uncomfortible. They live in the dark places down in the lowest levels of the forest. Only the bravest of hunters venture there, and they do not stay there long when they do.
One such place is the pit of Anarrad, which is located in the Shadow Forest near Rwookrrorro. According to legend, this pit is a scar in the flesh of Mother Kashyyyk that has never completely healed. It was created when some unknown object came from the sky and slashed into the forest. Like any open wound, this place festers with great unpleasantness. And, as our stories say, Anarrad is the home of the Well of the Dead.
When Wookiees die, we believe our spirits go to live in the stars where they can truely become one with the Forest. But, as with any species, there are bad Wookiees. When the stars reject your spirit because of the evils you have commited in your life, we believe you are cast into the Well of the Dead for all eternity.
Now, the katarn have earned a rather unusual reputation in Wookiee folklore, because they thrive in the Shadowlands of Anarrad. This is the natural place for katarns. So, because of the association with the Well of the Dead and the scar of Anarrad, katarn have earned this reputation as evil creatures. Initiates often hunt them to prove their bravery during their Hrrtayyk ceremonies.
Still, can we really blame a predator for killing to survive? Isn't that the role the Forest intended it to play? There are no easy answers in Wookiee folklore.
Another side note ... it is said that it is possible to actually befriend a katarn. Some are said to have achieved this feat. Still, you have to wonder, can a katarn really be trusted? And, wouldn't it be better to just leave them be than to meet the fate of the mouf?