He would be willing to work hard just as long as something was fun, but the minute it became the slightest bit dull, he was off on a new adventure with new friends, looking for a good time. Maybe one of the reasons this parable from Jesus is so popular is that it is so familiar to us. We could name dozens of families where these kinds of things are going on. The older son in the story is jealous of the freedom of the younger brother. I'm sure just doesn't see how he can measure up to the older sibling.
Older son is praised for getting A's in school.
Younger son is an average student, but very well liked by his peers. Older son puts in extra time at home helping out his father. Younger son is rarely home, and when he is, you couldn't get him to lift a finger. Older son looks to earn his inheritance. Younger son can't wait until he gets what is due him.