George Lucas was a big fan of Joseph Campbell, and the famous Bill Moyers interviews were conducted on Skywalker Ranch. So if Mr Lucas said something like this, he was probably paraphrasing Joseph Campell. Perhaps even this passage:

"In fairy lore it may be some little fellow of the wood, some wizard, hermit, shepherd, or smith, who appears to supply the amulets and advice the hero will require." - The Hero With A Thousand Faces, Page 72.

Mark
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