Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for January 24, 2024

Dad can use the exercise, especially since he can’t bike.

Dad already puts in enough effort as it is, Calvin.

Looks like it’s Dad’s turn to build character.

I’m sure making a Hopscotch game would be more fun than just shoveling.

A shovel could have helped him though.

Have him do it again, the right way!!!

But it’s called a walk, not a jump.

Walk in the steps of large extinct dinosaurs.

Where was Calvin standing while he shoveled??

Now, if Hobbes had to shovel the walk instead of puny Calvin, there wouldn’t be this problem.

Of course, there wouldn’t be today’s strip, either.

You could have more fun by making it a maze, an unsolvable maze, Calvin!

Very conservative.

Dad’s gonna jump all right; just stay where you are.

I tend to shovel enough to expose the concrete so the sun can do the rest of the work. Black absorbs heat, so if it be sunny, I would expose it as much as possible.

That looks guaranteed to put dad flat on his back.

Your laziness being spin-doctored, Calvin?

Nice try, bucko! You’re not coming back in the house until you do it right!!

Efficiency measures like this lead to door bolts pooping out on planes mid-flight…

Cal pole vaulted his way to the step.

Sadly, Dad can’t jump right.

He’s training his dad in the basic moves of Calvinball.

why doesn’t dad just park in the garage?

Effective and efficient!

Work smarter not harder I guess

I wonder how dad practices in the off season

Shovel the walk properly before your Dad hurts himself, Calvin!

I honestly think Calvin has had a decent epiphany here. You dig a whole bigger than a step, step into it and dig the next hole. Brilliant!

Of course, it won’t work on windy days. However, for still weather after a snowfall, this is a great labor saver. :)

I’m guessing no one here ever saw a 6 YO shovel snow. I have. It was not like this.

The closer together you put those step holes the less likely Dad is to complain.

“White Men Can’t Jump.”

That way dad saves few dollars and Calvin builds character. Good for all, except for the precise strides to be taken by dad.

I always liked the story of the boy who would do something similar, and his father pointed out the nice job their neighbor’s kid had done clearing the entire walk. The son pointed out that the other kid’s father paid him five dollars and said, “That’s the difference between free enterprise and dictatorship.”

Wait! Where are Calvin’s footprints?

Work smarter, not harder!