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, 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 Mark’s bedroom. When Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His father hired the Rolling Stones 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, Mark was bored with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didn’t appreciate and Mark could find nothing new or exciting in his life. Despite his vast wealth, Mark never found happiness.
Penny was born poor. Her family hardly had anything to eat, but they loved each other. Penny appreciated everything 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, and everyone on the block loved the rhythms that poured from her palms. By the time she was twenty-one, Penny was a successful businesswoman. Now she had everything that she had ever dreamed of and she truly loved to share her wealth and happiness with her family who supported her through all of the hard times.
What is the theme of the story?
Include a piece of text evidence to support your answer.