A motorist, driving by a Texas ranch, hit and killed a calf that was crossing the road. The driver went to the owner of the calf and explained what had happened. He then asked what the animal was worth.

　　"Oh, about $200 today," said the rancher. "But in six years it would have been worth $900. So $900 is what I'm out."

　　The motorist sat down and wrote out a check and handed it to the farmer.

　　"Here," he said, "is the check for $900. It's postdated six years from now."