"Life and Death" marks the premiere episode within the animated anthology series known as Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi. This initial installment showcases a youthful Ahsoka Tano alongside her mother before Tano's discovery by the Jedi Order. The episode was unveiled during a panel dedicated to the series at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim on May 28, 2022. It was then officially released, along with the rest of the series, on the streaming platform Disney+ on October 26, 2022.
On the world of Shili, a Togruta man, specifically Nak-il Tano, proclaims the arrival of his newly born daughter, Ahsoka Tano, to the inhabitants of his Togruti village. As the villagers come together, Pav-ti Tano is shown nursing her infant daughter. She beams with pride as the village leader, Gantika, approaches. Pav-ti then bestows the name Ahsoka upon her daughter.
A year elapses, and Tano develops into a toddler. Sometime later, a droid assists Nak-il in placing tiles on the roof of their residence. Pav-ti is depicted carrying her young daughter in a carrier. Nak-il then inquires if she believes Tano is prepared and questions the necessity of adhering to tradition. Pav-ti responds by stating that they are upholding customs and cautions Nak-il against offending the spirits, trees, and ancestors. Before her departure, Pav-ti retrieves a hunting weapon. Nak-il bids his wife and daughter farewell before their departure for the hunt.
As Pav-ti and Tano stroll through the village, they encounter Gantika, who is in the process of feeding several tookas. After confirming that more than a year has passed, Gantika applies a small dot of blue pigment to the foreheads of both Tano and Pav-ti while reciting a blessing. The mother and daughter then proceed towards the forest as Gantika continues to provide sustenance to the tookas.
As Pav-ti makes her way through the forest, Tano's attention is captured by a creature resembling a squirrel as it moves through the trees. Amidst the sounds of insects in the vibrant forest, Pav-ti imparts to her daughter the significance of honoring the life that surrounds them. Pav-ti proceeds past plants bearing large white seedheads, dispersing their pollen into the forest using her rifle. The young Tano expresses her joy with giggles, prompting her mother to hush her. They then perceive the sounds of several kybucks braying in the distance.
Pav-ti and her daughter then approach a clearing in the forest, where they observe several kybucks consuming grass. Pav-ti positions herself behind a tree and takes aim at the kybucks with her rifle. As she discharges her rifle, Gantika recites a prayer back in the village. Accompanied by Tano, Pav-ti approaches the kybuck that she has shot. The animal is injured and near death. Tano expresses distress, but her mother advises her to confront death and not be saddened by it. As the kybuck takes its final breath, Pav-ti offers a prayer before cutting the creature's throat. Gantika senses the kybuck's passing back in the village.
In the interim, Pav-ti informs Tano that the male kybuck she has killed will provide sustenance for many. As Pav-ti discusses the task of transporting the kybuck back to the village, a raxshir observes them from its hiding place behind the dense foliage. As Tano coos, the sabertooth stealthily approaches them from the rear. Pav-ti reaches for her rifle and emits a loud roar directed at the sabertooth. She engages the sabertooth in combat using her rifle, but the larger feline proves to be a superior adversary. Pav-ti manages to discharge a shot, which alerts her husband, Nak-il. The barks of several dogs can also be heard.
With her rifle now damaged, Pav-ti resorts to using a knife to defend herself. Several villagers, including Nak-il, rush towards the forest clearing. Following a struggle, the sabertooth incapacitates Pav-ti with a blow from its paw. Despite the arrival of the villagers, they are unable to prevent the sabertooth from abducting the toddler Tano and carrying her into the forest. Pav-ti cries out in anguish. Nak-il attempts to console his wife. Meanwhile, Gantika clutches a talisman and intones a prayer.
Deep within the forest, the sabertooth carries Tano to its den nestled among the roots of several trees. The large cat tends to its wounds and initially displays hostility towards Tano. However, before the creature can harm Tano, the toddler gently touches its nose, causing it to reconsider its actions. Back at the village, several Togruta villagers, including Nak-il, gather with weapons in preparation to search for Tano. Before they can venture into the night, the sabertooth reappears.
The villagers are about to fire upon the creature, but Gantika urges them to exercise restraint. As the sabertooth emerges from the forest clearing into the light, the villagers realize that Tano is riding on the creature's back. The villagers are relieved and astonished by the toddler's unharmed survival. The sabertooth lowers its head, allowing Pav-ti to retrieve her daughter. Pav-Ti expresses her gratitude to the creature in the Togruti language before allowing the sabertooth to return to the forest. Nak-il also embraces his daughter and wife. When Pav-ti inquires with Gantika about Tano's survival, Gantika responds by stating that Tano is a Jedi.