2. Money Mark was born rich. He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything handed to him on a silver platter. When he was six, Money Mark wanted to go to a basketball game. His father paid
the starting five of the Bulls and Celtics to play a private game of Nerf-ball in Money Mark's bedroom
When Money Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His father hired the Mountain Boys to play
with him every Saturday at the family's private concert hall, though his family was never there. By the
time he was twenty-one, Money Mark was bored with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions
that he didn't appreciate. Nothing was new or exciting to him. Despite his vast wealth, Money Mark never
found happiness. Penny Petal was born poor. Her family hardly had anything to eat, but they loved each
other. Penny Petal appreciated every thing she got. When she was six, her father walked her around the
United Center before the Bulls played the Celtics. She was excited by the crazy fans and feeling in the air.
She looked forward to the day that she could see a real game. When she was thirteen, she learned to play
the buckets. She was an extremely talented musician, a natural percussionist. Everyone on the block loved
the rhythms that poured from her palms. By the time she was twenty-one, Penny was a successful
businesswoman. Soon she had everything that she had ever dreamed of having. She loved to share her
wealth and happiness with her family, who had supported her through the hard times.
What is the theme of the story?
What happens in the story that leads you to believe this?