*Looks at the last example and shudders myself*

Practicality vs sentimentality? Wow, there are times where that's a closer battle than the first example. Especially since sentiment can and does override practicality, in some people. My question would have to be whether the child knew before or after her mother made the stew. Before, she would have had time to start mourning the death of the cat. After, and she would have been probably bitter about the fact her mother ran over her pet. I guess my point is the daughter was more bent about eating a beloved pet, than thinking of her meal as tasty or not. So, she would have been entitled to glare, for that meal and whatever leftovers they had afterwards, with Mom being practical enough to make the meal stretch over time that way.