The stories of Cooney Potter and Fiddler Jones send an interesting message on how to live your life. Cooney Potter inherits forty acres from his father and with the help of his family he greatly increase the size of his farm. He works hard and in a way sacrifices his health to become more successful. An unfair burden is placed on Potter family with all of the work they are forced to do. He is eventually killed by his work ethic when his unhealthy habits catch up to him. In his lifetime, he is never really satisfied, which probably means that he dies with a feeling of disappointment.
Fiddler Jones somehow obtains forty acres and decides to enjoy the land and life. He pities Cooney Potter and his ambition.
“To Cooney Potter a pillar of dust or whirling leaves meant ruinous drouth; they looked to me like Red-Head Sammy stepping it off, to ‘Toor-a-Loor,’” (28).
Jones lives a laid back and happy lifestyle. He constantly plays music and does not allow poor situations to discourage him. He does not work particularly hard or live a luxurious life, but he is satisfied. These two men are given the same opportunity, and interestingly the ambitious character lives has a less fulfilled life.
