George loved video games. He bought every video game that came out, and he prided himself on being the first person to try out new games. George's Aunt Rachel sent him a hundred dollars for his birthday every year, and this year, about two weeks before his birthday, Nintendo released a brand new game. George just had to have it! The game cost a hundred dollars. He just knew he would have the money in a few weeks, but he wanted the game right now! In order to get the game, George borrowed money from everyone he knew: five dollars here, ten dollars there, confident that when he received his birthday card from his aunt that he would be able to repay his debts. Finally, a day after his birthday, a box arrived for George. Inside was a very nice shirt, a birthday gift from his aunt. "I thought I would do something different this year," she wrote inside of a card in which there was no money. "I hope you like the shirt," she wrote.

Question

George loved video games.  He bought every video game that came out, and he prided himself on being the first person to try out new games.  George's Aunt Rachel sent him a hundred dollars for his birthday every year, and this year, about two weeks before his birthday, Nintendo released a brand new game.  George just had to have it! The game cost a hundred dollars.  He just knew he would have the money in a few weeks, but he wanted the game right now!  In order to get the game, George borrowed money from everyone he knew: five dollars here, ten dollars there, confident that when he received his birthday card from his aunt that he would be able to repay his debts.  Finally, a day after his birthday, a box arrived for George.  Inside was a very nice shirt, a birthday gift from his aunt.  "I thought I would do something different this year," she wrote inside of a card in which there was no money.  "I hope you like the shirt," she wrote.

What is the theme?  How do you know

GPT 3.5 · Answer

The theme of this story is the consequences of impulsive behavior and the importance of being responsible with money. George's impulsiveness and desire for instant gratification led him to borrow money he couldn't afford to repay, all for the sake of getting a new video game. In the end, his actions backfired when he didn't receive the expected birthday money from his aunt and was left in debt. This teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of budgeting and being mindful of one's financial decisions.