Lisa's Pony

"First you didn't want me to get the pony. Now you want me to take it back. Make up your mind!"

- Homer Simpson

"Lisa's Pony" is the eighth of season 3. The episode aired on November 7, 1991. The episode was written by Al Jean and Mike Reiss and directed by Carlos Baeza. The episode features references to films such as The Godfather and 2001: A Space Odyssey and the comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland.

Plot
Lisa requires a new reed for her saxophone, because there is a talent show that evening. After calling Marge, Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Patty and Selma and "the nice man who caught the snake in our basement", she finally calls Homer at work, asking him to get her one. Homer agrees, and arrives at the music shop five minutes before closing time. Moe's is right next door, and Homer goes in there first, thinking he has enough time for a beer beforehand. He walks out with 15 seconds to spare, but is too late, as the shop is closed. Dejected, he goes back to Moe's and finds the shop owner is in there enjoying a drink. Moe helps Homer convince the man to re-open his store. Homer, who barely remembers what he is supposed to pick up for Lisa, purchases the reed and heads for the school. Unfortunately he is (again) too late: He arrives just in time to hear Lisa humiliate herself by butchering the song she chose to play.

Homer tries to make it up to Lisa, but all his attempts meet with rejection. Marge suggests that Lisa just needs time, and she'll forgive him. However, Homer decides that a 'quick fix' is needed, and decides to get her a pony (called Princess). Lisa immediately forgives Homer, though Marge is not at all happy with his decision. In order to pay for all the care it requires, Homer takes a second job working for Apu at the Kwik-E-Mart. Homer becomes more and more exhausted after trying to work both jobs. Finally, Marge admits to the kids that their father has been working two jobs to pay for the pony. Making a heart-wrenching decision, Lisa agrees to give up the pony, allowing Homer to go back to solely working his regular job. Lisa tells Homer that there's a "big dumb animal" she loves even more than her horse, that being Homer himself.

Lisa's Pony