Jody has learned to behave responsibly from the fine parental guidance supplied by his father, Penny. Although Jody occasionally avoided his chores, Penny expected his son to help with the farm work, teaching him to fully understand the importance of the crops and how they helped sustain the family. When Penny was bitten by the rattlesnake, Jody stepped in to fill Penny's shoes. Later, when Penny was incapacitated, Jody took over again. Jody has been taught that life is difficult and that hard work is necessary for survival in the Florida wilderness. When Flag continues to eat the crops, Jody realizes that the family cannot continue to survive his pet's destructiveness, and it, instead, must be destroyed.