Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for February 21, 2013

Being food for a raptor is a noble fate.

So, what are you saying, second-to-top-lemming-who-then-became-top-lemming – it’s best to take your own life (removing all chance of living a life like top-lemming-who-was-taken-by-a-hawk was describing), than to try and live such a life…just because neither option guarantees that such a life will actually be lived?

On a side note, I’m quite positive that that lemming tower could not possibly stand up, leaning so far over like that. Curse you, cartoon physics!

I heard a story abut a stray puppy that a hawk grabbed and dropped him. A family on seeing this rescued him and adopted him. So maybe this guy’s future is better than it seems. A couple claw scars and broken bones in between.

Yeah, his cred may be low, but he’ll reach new heights…temporarily.

It would only lower his credibility if he jumped after he finished saying it. That’s more an unforseen circumstance that results in the termination of one’s life. In this case as the lemming is prey to the hawk you could say the hawk is murdering the lemming. However it wouldn’t have to be murder that results in the unforseen termination of one’s life. Coming down with some disease could do it, an accident could do it, any number of things could. None of which would lower one’s credibility when they say “Let’s not commit suicide but let’s live.”

Actually, his credibility is still intact. The bird is filled with wonder and joy (not to mention a lemming).

Fly me to the moon!I shall raise you up on eagle’s wings!Up, up and away!

Leave it to Pastis to see a still darker side to life, and make it funny.

croks cud eet more leetle anemals eef dey learn to fly

The lemming pre-arranged with Hawk to fly him away from those idiots! He’s THE most credible lemming of all!

That carry-out will soon be carrion.

I guess he had a date for lunch.

I have days like that – laugh out loud

Totally! If I were a hawk, I’d want a lemming over for lunch, too!

The ancient ancient war between Sauropsida and Synapsida continues . . . I’m going to counter-attack by having some chicken eggs for breakfast.

I love these strips!

In the fourth panel, the lemmings are singing “Always look on the bright side of life.”

Alas! poor Yorick, we hardley knew ya..

Very Funny! I always love hearing the ‘rest of the story’.

shoulda jumped. beats getting eaten alive.

Life can be brief at the bottom of the food chain. The lower your species resides, the more siblings you will have…but not for long.

Notsoastute said,

@TheTrustedMechanic

“I am glad to know I am not the only really warped person on here.”

Ditto.

Eagles may soar, but lemmings are never sucked into aircraft engines.

You are filled with love. The hawk is filled with you. The circle of life.

Nice!

At last. No complaints about whether or not lemmings jump off cliffs. Maybe someone has realized how few lemmings were killed in the making of these strips. . . .

Ah, a twist of lemming!

Never underestimate the power of martyrdom!

FIght back little lemming! you just had a glimpse of a better way! pull your boot knife out and free yourself!

That is a well drawn hawk, though. Count me impressed

Remind me again how all 4 lemming were killed in earlier comics and replaced here with almost the same general speech. And why in the world are the top ones the only ones to talk?