--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Any idea what the land is worth?”…" description: "\"“Any idea what the land is worth?” Samantha asked. Mrs. Crump crunched her dentures and said, “A lot more than anybody knows. You see, the coal company..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/john-grisham-974_bad-health_any-idea-what-the-land-is-worth-samantha_632960.jpg" --- # Any idea what the land is worth?” Samantha asked. Mrs… ![“Any idea what the land is worth?” Samantha asked. Mrs. Crump crunched her dentures and said, “A lot more than anybody knows. You see, the coal company came out last year and tried to buy the land, been trying for some time, but I ran ’em off again. Ain’t selling to no coal company, no ma’am…” quote by John Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/john-grisham-974_bad-health_any-idea-what-the-land-is-worth-samantha_632960.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/john-grisham-974_bad-health_any-idea-what-the-land-is-worth-samantha_632960.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f9/john-grisham-974_bad-health_any-idea-what-the-land-is-worth-samantha_632960.jpg) > ““Any idea what the land is worth?” Samantha asked. Mrs. Crump crunched her dentures and said, “A lot more than anybody knows. You see, the coal company came out last year and tried to buy the land, been trying for some time, but I ran ’em off again. Ain’t selling to no coal company, no ma’am. They’re blasting away not far from my land, taking down Cat Mountain, and it’s a real shame. Ain’t got no use for no coal company.” “How much did they offer?” “A lot, and I ain’t told my kids either. Won’t tell them. I’m in bad health, you see, and I’ll be gone pretty soon. If my kids get the land, they’ll sell to the coal company before I’m cold in the ground. That’s exactly what they’ll do. I know ’em.” She reached into her purse and pulled out some folded papers. “Here’s a will I signed five years ago. My kids took me down to a lawyer’s office, just down the street, and they made me sign it.” Samantha slowly unfolded the papers and read the last will and testament of Francine Cooper Crump. The third paragraph left everything to her five children in equal shares. Samantha scribbled some useless notes and said, “Okay, Mrs. Crump, for estate tax purposes, I need to know the approximate value of this land.” “The what?” “How much did the coal company offer you?” She looked as if she’d been insulted, then leaned in low and whispered. “Two hundred thousand and change, but it’s worth double that. Maybe triple. You can’t trust a coal company. They low ball everybody, then figure out ways to steal from you at the end.” Suddenly the simple will”” [John Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-grisham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A landowner distrusts a corporate buyer, fearing exploitation and undervaluation, and tries to protect her heirs through a will. **In simple terms:** A woman worries a coal company will cheat her family out of land value. Key Takeaway Guard your assets and verify offers. Themes trust family corporate greed inheritance valuation Mood cautious defensive reflective Type advice narrative legal. When to use this quote - real estate negotiations - estate planning - family inheritance - corporate acquisition - legal advice Key Concepts Estate law valuation ethics family dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can heirs ensure fair market valuation? - What safeguards protect against corporate exploitation? A Different Perspective The landowner may lack market expertise, making her assessment unreliable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-health/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) ## Related quotes > [Land?' Froi whispered. 'You're giving them land? I'm not worth the valley.' 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You see, the coal company came out last year and tried to buy the land, been trying for some time, but I ran ’em off again. Ain’t selling to no coal company, no ma’am. They’re blasting away not far from my land, taking down Cat Mountain, and it’s a real shame. Ain’t got no use for no coal company.” “How much did they offer?” “A lot, and I ain’t told my kids either. Won’t tell them. I’m in bad health, you see, and I’ll be gone pretty soon. If my kids get the land, they’ll sell to the coal company before I’m cold in the ground. That’s exactly what they’ll do. I know ’em.” She reached into her purse and pulled out some folded papers. “Here’s a will I signed five years ago. My kids took me down to a lawyer’s office, just down the street, and they made me sign it.” Samantha slowly unfolded the papers and read the last will and testament of Francine Cooper Crump. The third paragraph left everything to her five children in equal shares. Samantha scribbled some useless notes and said, “Okay, Mrs. Crump, for estate tax purposes, I need to know the approximate value of this land.” “The what?” “How much did the coal company offer you?” She looked as if she’d been insulted, then leaned in low and whispered. “Two hundred thousand and change, but it’s worth double that. Maybe triple. You can’t trust a coal company. 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