For those who aren't familiar yet with the comic strip, Calvin is the boy and Hobbes is the tiger. In the book which I'm now reading (the 10th Anniversary book - copyright 1995), Bill Watterson (the creator) explains that contrary to what people think that Hobbes comes to life when Calvin is around or he is a product of Calvin's imagination, it's actually as simple as Calvin sees Hobbes one way (real tiger) and everyone else sees Hobbes another way (a stuff toy), in the same way as no one sees the world in exactly the same way.
Anyway, here are some excerpts why I love Calvin -
Calvin: Ok, look. We've got to do this dumb project together. So we might as well get it over with. What are we supposed to be doing?
Susie: Weren't you even paying attention?! What would you do if I wasn't here to ask?? You'd flunk and be sent back to kindergarten, that's what!
Calvin: Ok, look. We've got to do this dumb project together. So we might as well get it over with. What are we supposed to be doing?
Susie: Weren't you even paying attention?! What would you do if I wasn't here to ask?? You'd flunk and be sent back to kindergarten, that's what!
Calvin: Says you! I heard that sometimes kids don't pay attention because the class goes at too slow of a pace for them. Some of us are too smart for the class.
Susie: <sarcastic tone> Oh right. You're too smart.
Calvin: Believe it, Lady. You know how Einstein got bad grades as a kid? Well, mine are even worse!
Haha... but don't get it wrong. Calvin isn't dumb - he's obviously just lazy (but he doesn't seem to realize that he's lazy that's why there's something endearing about his smugness. In fact, you'll get the impression that the effort he's exerting is his best already - based on his standards - which is what I love about him. In one report that he submitted, he even labeled it "An exhaustively researched report by Calvin"! Haha...
Anyway, the girl here is Susie. Calvin likes to pick on her. He usually mocks her that her bangs do a good job of covering her "lobotomy stiches" - Calvin's exact words! Haha...
Here's another Calvin-Susie school-related episode:
Calvin: <in a phone conversation with Susie> Hello, Susie? This is Calvin. you know this report we're supposed to write for school. Yeah. My topic is bats. What's yours? Elephants? Hmmm.... Well are you going to the library to look up elephants? You are? Great!
Calvin: <in a phone conversation with Susie> Hello, Susie? This is Calvin. you know this report we're supposed to write for school. Yeah. My topic is bats. What's yours? Elephants? Hmmm.... Well are you going to the library to look up elephants? You are? Great!
Calvin: While you're there, could you research bats too and make copies of all the information you find, and maybe underline the important parts for me, and sort of outline it. So I wouldn't have to read it all?
And there was a time when Calvin broke his Dad's expensive binoculars. He was so scared. In here, he was trying to make sense of what happened.
Calvin: Why in the world did Dad let me use anything so valuable?! He should've known I'd break them! He must've been out of his mind. This is all his fault!
Haha... And then, there was a time when Calvin was forced to sign up for baseball because he was teased for being the only boy who didn't. His dad was encouraging him to get into sports because it promotes teamwork and it helps build your character. Here's what he has to say:
Calvin: Every time I've built character, I've regretted it! I don't want to learn teamwork! I don't want to learn about winning and losing! Heck, I don't even want to compete! What's wrong with just having fun by yourself, huh?!
Yeah, what's wrong with just having fun by yourself? (Coming from one who isn't also competitive! Haha...)
Anyway, locally, Calvin and Hobbes comic strips are published in Philippine Star. But it's good to read Calvin and Hobbes comic books too for a larger dose of laughter. :)
