What evidence is there that Jody matures from "The Gift" to "The Great Mountains" in The Red Pony?

In Jody
is a ten year old, obedient and na¯ve boy.  He doesnt question anything he is told.  He seems
satisfied with his life.

His father was a disciplinarian.
Jody obeyed him in everything without questions of any kind. (ch 1, p 3-4)

When Jodys pony dies, he is saddened to the point of
not...