In Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 2, Episode 5 “Landing at Point Rain,” Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano compete in a droid-killing contest, but they are both bested by the renowned Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, who unexpectedly joined the competition. As the Chosen One, Anakin was used to being the focus of attention -- but he was also used to winning. Because of this, losing the competition showed Anakin a lesson in humility that could have benefited him later in life.
The Second Battle of Geonosis
The episode tells the story of the Second Battle of Geonosis. The Republic’s objective was to destroy an important droid foundry and capture Poggle the Lesser, the Geonosian leader. Because of heavy defense lines and a shield generator, the decision was made for Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Ki-Adi-Mundi and Anakin Skywalker to each lead their clone forces on attacks from different angles. After rendezvousing at Point Rain, they would begin their final assault on the droid factory.
However, both Anakin and Mundi’s gunships were shot down, forcing each general to fight to the rendezvous point on foot. On their way through heavily-fortified defensive lines, Anakin engaged in a competition with his padawan, Ahsoka Tano, to see who could kill more droids. To his surprise, Asoka outdid him and killed 60 to his 55, but they are both surprised to hear that Master Mundi, who did not even know about the competition, had killed 65.
A Lesson in Humility
The Cerean Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi was an acclaimed military strategist and was one of five lifetime members on the Jedi High Council. He was a serious warrior and was known for giving advice. Due to his binary brain, he was highly intelligent and had lightning-fast reflexes. As an older Jedi, Mundi is experienced in combat, with his lightsaber and with the Force. It is not surprising that he was able to best Anakin, but Anakin was nevertheless surprised.
Throughout Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Anakin was the poster-child, and as the Chosen One, he was supposed to save the Jedi from the coming darkness of the Sith. Anakin had the midi-chlorian potential to become the most powerful Jedi ever, and he knew it. He constantly expected to be the best at everything that he did. In other words, humility was not his best character attribute.
Consequently, when he lost this droid-killing competition, Anakin was taken aback. A Jedi should value and practice humility, and it took a shock to his pride for Anakin to be reminded of that fact. As the two of them go their separate ways, Anakin tells Master Mundi that the prize for winning is his “everlasting respect,” and Obi-Wan explains, “That is a gift Anakin rarely bestows.”
Anakin Did Not Learn
While Anakin learned humility on Geonosis, he would soon forget it. The Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith novelization shows that he had not conquered his pride when only a few short years later he addressed Master Mundi and the rest of the Jedi High Council after being declined the rank of Master. He told them, “No Jedi in this room can match my power – no Jedi in the galaxy! You think you can deny Mastery to me?”
Anakin’s pride was his undoing. When the Jedi withheld the rank of master from him along with the power and privileges that came with it, Palpatine offered to quench his desires. Rather than trusting in his Jedi training and humbly accepting a seat on the Jedi High Council, he wanted more. Anakin would have done well to remember the lesson he learned from Master Mundi on Geonosis. Maybe then, he would have trusted that the High Council knew what it was doing by spying on Palpatine, rather than selfishly perusing power and privileges. Ultimately, because of his need to become more powerful, Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader.