Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for September 07, 2013

You are so right except when Mom says do it.

When mom speaks, it is not a mater of enthusiasm.

Calvin feels like Mom just dishes out the chores.In panel 2, Mom doesn’t look very enthusiastic about Calvin’s response.

i walked in at mom & dad`s once; “here`s our brave volunteer”. i got to put in a new toilet

Calvin has a lot of surprises coming to him as he goes through life.

It wasn’t an actual question, Calvin. It was, in fact, a rhetorical demand.

Here’s what happened the last time Calvin refused:Click here: Calvin and Hobbes (September 23, 1992)

Click here: Peanuts (May 16, 1956)Click here: Peanuts (July 22, 1964)The following Peanuts strip was published by Charles Schulz just five days before Bill Watterson published today’s Calvin and Hobbes. But since both Schulz and Watterson drew their strips weeks in advance, in this case it is simply coincidence that Watterson had a theme similar to Schulz.Click here: Peanuts (August 30, 1993)

Click here: Ziggy (January 17, 1986)

Very nice, doing it, Calvin, we all are not so enthusiastic to do many things, we have to!!

What mom says, goes, when you’re only six.

Calvin’s young, but by 6 I had learned that any question from a mother beginning with the words “Would you” or “Do you want to” is not a question—it means “do this, now!”Many parent-questions are not questions. Such as “Do you know what time it is?” (Translation: you are so dead!) “Do you want me to smack you?”, or the classic, “Do you think I’m stupid?”

That was not a request, Calvin.

The work world awaits you, Calvin.

cdward: which is why one never says “would you” or “will you” when giving someone an instruction. (order) You can soften and sweeten it with a smile and inflection, but the order remains… better get that straight, Calvin.

Mom’s mistake was phrasing her request as a question: “Would you please …” giving the illusion that the child has a choice. She should have known that would lead to trouble with a literal-minded kid like Calvin.

same here

If want to eat, you will learn to be enthusiastic, li’l, Calvin!

Set the dang table or eat with Hobbes tonight, kid… your choice… hope he knows how to cook.

Thanks, Tacopielvr. As I read new strips, I keep records of my favorites to that I can locate them later. Some days, I read a lot of strips and don’t find any that I want to remember for later. Other days, there are several.

Not going to get out of this one today, Calvin.

Like to eat, though, don’t you?

Sometimes, Mom is ’meal’ymouthed’!

Or if not enthusiasric, at least grudgingly compliant…if he knows what’s good for him.

It sounded like it could also be a threat, that since no enthusiasm, oops!, sorry I dropped the dishes. But then, he’d probably only do that once.

I guess he does not want to eat either.

Curb your enthusiasm, Calvin.

(Mom catches Calvin throwing eggs against the kitchen wall…)“YOU’RE THROWING EGGS AGAINST THE WALL??? WHAT ON EARTH HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU?!!”Calvin: “Alien manipulation?”(Calvin, now banished to his room): “I don’t even know why I try, Mom NEVER buys it!”

Setting the table builds character, Calvin. Keep at it.

Yes and mom is thrilled to make you 3 meals a day

Just wait till you have to get a job, boy.

Amen, Calvin

Come on Calvin wait till you get a job.

If you strive for mediocrity, you’ll never HAVE (or want) to be enthusastic.