I don’t know how the conversation started, but I know how it ended.

“I don’t eat animals*.”

Sure you do, honey. Chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, meatballs. Those are from animals.

“Really?”

Yes.

“Are we talking animal crackers here?”

No, dear, real animals.

“Are you sure?”

I don’t remember much of the rest of it but I was laughing too hard internally to pursue it further with a straight face; I changed the subject to something else entirely, instead.

*This from the kid that used to make clucking noises as chicken tenders moved from plate to mouth