Rrrudoolf the Bright Green Bantha
by Gaarbacca
Once upon a time, there was a village nestled snugly in a huge Wroshyr. This village, like most Tree villages, kept a stable full of every Wookiee's favorite creature companion, Kashyyyk banthas. But in this particular stable, there was one bantha who was quite different from every other bantha on Kashyyyk.
Rrrudoolf was a very small bantha who, instead of having a shiny brown coat that matched the mushrooms that grew on the giant Wroshyr trees, had a bright green coat that was the color of the trees’ leaves. The other banthas didn’t know what to make of this strange leaf-colored bantha. But there was one other thing that made Rrrudoolf stand out.
He could fly.
Being green is one thing. Some of the more flamboyant Wookiees would occasionally dye their fur green (or even stranger colors). But flying? That was another matter entirely. Have you ever seen a little green bantha fluttering in the sky with a flock of can-cells? Neither had the villagers. Some said the Forest had blessed him. Others thought he had mutated in the incubator.
Whatever the cause, the little green flying bantha soon became quite the tourist attraction. Wookiees came from all over Kashyyyk to watch Rrrudoolf’s aerial acrobatics. The Wookiees were very kind to him, and he never ran short of yummy fodder, bantha treats, Wookiee hugs, and furry hands eager to groom him.
This situation continued for quite some time. However, it was not perfect. You see, most banthas have one special Wookiee friend. They accompany their Wookiee on hunts, carry him on treks, and share life in the Forest together.
Rrrudoolf got plenty of attention, but the visitors came and left. When little Wookiees came to the stables to choose their own bantha companion, Rrrudoolf was never picked. And the other banthas did not want to include Rrrudoolf in their bantha games… he was just too different. The Wookiees loved him, but needed banthas that worked well with other banthas on the hunt. Traders wanted big banthas that could carry heavy loads. Seasons came and went, and still Rrrudoolf had no truly close friends.
Then one Life Day, while Rrrudoolf contented himself with munching on the special holiday treats the Wookiees had brought him and playing with his squeaky mouf toy, the door to the stable suddenly burst open. Rrrudoolf looked up with interest. Maybe someone else was as lonely as he was and needed a bantha friend!
Rrrudoolf gasped when he saw who had entered. It was not a bantha, and not a Wookiee. It was someone entirely unexpected. Someone who looked like… a walking tree?
"Father Wroshyr?” gasped Rrrudoolf in amazement. "Is it really you?” he asked, looking closely at the newcomer.
The giant tree roared in delight. "Of course it is!” he said. "And you are just the bantha I've been hoping to find!"
No words could have made Rrrudoolf happier. But why would Father Wroshyr want to find a bantha like him? Father Wroshyr went on to explain his predicament. He had included several young and inexperienced can-cells in his team this year. When flying over the Well of the Dead, they had been spooked by the howls of katarn below, and Life Day gifts had gone tumbling into the Shadowed Lands.
Father Wroshyr shook his great leafy head, thinking about all the toys, gifts, and Wookiee cookies that would end up being gnawed on by katarn. The can-cells had tried to swoop down and collect the lost packs, but the buzzing of their wings only attracted more of the vicious creatures.
Now, Rrrudoolf had an idea where this was going, and he was nervous. Venturing into the Well of the Dead is no small task. It is the most dangerous area on all of Kashyyyk, and just about all of Kashyyyk is pretty dangerous. But when Father Wroshyr asked for help, how could he say no? Besides, Rrrudoolf was a very kind bantha, and the thought of all those Wookiee hoods going unfilled while katarn destroyed the Life Day gifts was terrible.
So, when Father Wroshyr asked Rrrudoolf to fly down to the Well of the Dead, pick up the packs, and fly them back to the can-cells, he said yes before the great tree had even finished the question.
The little green bantha was the perfect choice for such a dangerous task. He was small enough to escape the notice of the predators, and his green coat provided the perfect camouflage. If he did attract any unwanted attention, he would be able to quickly fly out of harm’s way.
So he flew down through the canopy and began to collect the packs full of gifts. It was much worse then he had imagined. Strange smells assaulted him. Plants he had never seen before moved ominously, and some even spoke to him. Vines coiled, ready to grasp an unsuspecting tail or hoof. Sharp teeth glinted in the shadows, and strange noises surrounded him.
"Father Wroshyr is counting on me!” he told himself. He couldn’t let the tree-spirit down. He couldn’t let the Wookiees down either. They looked forward to this day all year, and no one was going to have an empty hood if he had anything to say about it!
Eventually, every pack had been gathered and secured to the (rather sheepish-looking) can-cells. Father Wroshyr’s branch-arms affectionately scratched Rrrudoolf’s green coat while he thanked him and the can-cells joyfully buzzed around them.
"Now, Rrrudoolf. I have one more request for you. Will you lead the can-cells and I into the villages?" Rrrudoolf thought his heart would burst with joy. Leading Father Wroshyr and his can-cells was the greatest honor he could imagine!
So, that year and every year since, Rrrudoolf leads the team, flying high over the treetops, and every little Wookiee looks toward the stars hoping to catch a glimpse of the magical green flying bantha.
When it’s not Life Day, Rrrudoolf and Father Wroshyr are the best of friends, working together to make toys and gifts for all the Wookiees. And, of course, he has plenty of time to soar through the canopy with his can-cell friends.
But Rrrudoolf's favorite night is always Life Day Eve, when he leads the way through the great forests of Kashyyyk. Remember to look overhead for a spot of green in the sky, and wave to Rrrudoolf the Bright-Green Bantha!