Calvin and Hobbes: On being good in Santa's eyes

Here's a funny Christmas comic strip from Calvin and Hobbes published in today's issue of The Philippine Star (though I'm into digital books and magazines, I've never outgrown my habit of reading the newspaper on Sundays.)

For easy reading, here's the transcript:

Calvin:  I wish Santa would publish the guidelines he sees for determining a kid's goodness.  For example, how much does he weigh motives?  Does he consider the kid's natural predisposition?

I mean if some sickeningly wholesome nerd likes being good, it's easy for him to meet the standards.  There's no challenge.

Heck, anyone can be good if he wants to be!  The true test of one's mettle is being good when one has innate inclination towards evil.

I think one good act by me, even if it just to get presents, should count as 5 good acts by some sweet-tempered kid motivated by the pureness of his heart, don't you? 

(Susie passes by and Calvin instintively throws a snowball at her. )

Hobbes:  Of course, in your case, the question is academic.

Calvin:  I wanted to put a rock in the snowball but I didn't.  That should be worth a lot.

To us who grew up believing in Santa, I'm sure we've had similar thoughts and all kinds of justification why we deserve nice gifts on Christmas.  But Calvin is the only kid I know who has stretched it to as far as considering a kid's natural predisposition!  Haha...