A child slave on
Tatooine, Anakin and his mother Shmi were sold by their owner, Gardulla the
Hutt, to the unscrupulous Toydarian junk dealer
Watto. While in Watto's employ, Anakin learned valuable mechanical and technical skills. He earned the reputation of being able to fix anything.
Anakin 6 at the time this story begins was sitting in Watto's shop fixing a podracer engine. Watto took one look at his work and began yelling. "How many times do I have to tell you to make sure the wires don't cross Anakin. I think you need a good spanking to remind you how to fix it correctly.
Anakin shook his head. "No please."
At home Shmi labored to make dinner and wondered when her little boy would be home. His friend Xam another slave had been asking about him and was sitting in their hovel waiting for Anakin to get home.