Trama

Homer buys Lisa a pony that the family can ill afford.

Homer loses much of Lisa's respect for him after he botches the task of getting her a saxophone reed she needs for a talent show. Homer realizes that he's been ignoring Lisa since she was a baby and thinks that's what's causing problems now, so he buys Lisa a pony to change her opinion of him.

Lisa calls on Homer to buy her a replacement reed for her saxophone for a talent show at school. Homer, however, is unable to bring it to her on time, because he wasted time at Moe's Tavern. He decides the best way to make her forget her anger is to buy her a pony, which he must take a second job--working at the Kwik-E-Mart--to support.—Anonymous

Lisa is scheduled to perform at the school talent show, but ends up breaking her last saxophone read. After calling everyone from Marge to 'that nice man who caught the snake in our basement,' Lisa finally calls Homer.

Homer goes to get the reed fro the music store, but instead stops at Moe's thinking he can get a quick beer. This leads to him finding the store closed, with the owner of the store having just locked up. After pleading and begging (along with Moe's help), Homer is able to buy the reed, but arrives too late to save Lisa from attempting to play her saxophone and embarrassing herself.

Homer attempts to make it up to Lisa, but she refuses to accept any of his attempts at a reconciliation. Marge suggests that if Homer gives Lisa time, she'll forgive him, but Homer wants a 'quick fix' to his problem.

Knowing how Lisa has always wanted a pony, Homer takes out a $5000 loan through the Nuclear Power Plant's credit union. Homer is overjoyed when Lisa forgives him, but Marge is obviously upset that Homer would try to 'buy' forgiveness from their daughter.

Keeping a pony soon proves costly when keeping the pony in a stable requires Homer to get a second job working at the Kwik-E-Mart. After Homer's double-shifts cause Marge to worry about Homer's health and well-being, she explains to Lisa how much Homer has been going through to make her happy.

Making a responsible decision, Lisa gives up her pony, claiming 'there's a big dumb animal I love even more than that horse.' Homer is pleased that Lisa still cares about him, and he quits his second job.