

Papa wants Boy to take a Bath, but Boy wants to be free and dirty, standing proud in his spinny hat. Boy learns the value of being forced to do things against your will through the threat of punishment.

Boy needs to build his character, but the chores he does at home aren't enough. Papa seeks out a market solution to ensure that Boy's character is fully built. Boy learns the value of endless toil.

Boy refuses to eat his stinky, nasty, family vegetables, which have been passed down for generations. Boy learns the value of uncritically following tradition.