Calf or pony?

Living in the country we knew that one day raising cattle would become a part of our lives. Our daughter as many other kids begged us time and time again for a lil calf. Her daddy sat her down and explained that we were not rich folks and that if we were to buy a calf one day it would have to be taken to market. She sat there with such a lil sad face, when all of a sudden she jumps off his lap and declares she wanted a pony then since we wouldn't be able to eat that one.