The family's cow, Chance, gives birth to a healthy calf. However, John tells the family that they must sell the calf to make ends meet. Sure enough, he sells the calf to a local farmer who plans to kill the calve. Elizabeth and Jim-Bob, distraught when they learn of this, decide to try and steal back the calve. John - Boy discovers that they are missing, and goes out with his father, leaving a worried Olivia at home. They find Elizabeth and Jim-Bob, and John tells the children to expect a spanking, However, he says "They'll be no spanking tonight.". Viewers are not informed whether Elizabeth and Jim-Bob recieve a spanking during the next day, but it is assumed that they don't. In the end, the family pay $9.00 for the baby bull calf, and promise to let the boys work for him to pay the other