Garrison Keillor's Modernized Prodigal Son.
In Garrison Kellior's "Prodigal Son" Keillor depicts Wally as an independent, stubborn and irresponsible son whose actions determine his lifestyle by causing him to have to face humiliation with his family and admit failures he's made. .
Wally, a young son of a rancher father has just began his journey of life through his own stubbornness. His desire to be independent leads him through some rough places in life; "Wines got to breathe, you know. And so do I, Dad I've gotta real breathing problem here. I"m worried about my health, Dad I read an article the other day in Assyrian Digest that says bad feelings may be environmental. I donno maybe I need to get away for a while, Dad get my head straight work out some things"(1362). Wally begins to blame his irresponsibleness on things around him and refusing to face them. Though his irresponsibility is evident ; "Whoops--dropped your lamp, huh? Good thing it didn't have oil in it. Well, "bye! Don't" do anything I wouldn't do" (1363). He feels that he knows what's best for him at the moment. " Not me, Wanda! Life is a feast if you know where to find it". (1364) .
On the early morning that Wally awoke from drinking his family noticed he was oversleeping; " I"m worried about your brother You look a little peaked son"(1362). Wally knows their on to him, they have noticed that he has became irresponsible with his chores he starts to make excuses for himself; " I donno--it's some kind of morning sickness, Dad I feel real good at night and then I wake up hurting all over"(1362). The daily chores has also been affected by his behavior; " I noticed a couple empty wineskins behind the fig tree this morning"(1362). Wally response " I dropped them they spilled honest"(1362). Wally has resorted to lying to get his way through the conversation. .
Being the carefree Wally that he enjoys being, Wally goes about life living independently not worrying about consequences.