A "prequel" is a type of story that takes place before the events of an existing story. It explores the background and origins of characters, settings, or events that are already known. For example, the movie Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace serves as a prequel to the original Star Wars trilogy, providing insight into the early life of Anakin Skywalker. Prequels can be found in various forms of media, including books, movies, and video games. They often aim to deepen the audience's understanding of the main story by revealing how certain situations or characters came to be. A well-crafted prequel can enhance the overall experience of the original narrative.