I used to do that to my mom and say made you look until she got after me and reminded me of the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. We didn’t have wolves where we lived, but there were plenty of bees and wasps, and I was trying to get her to look after being told not to do the joke, and she thought I was messing around until she saw why I was trying to get her to look.
I could have used this when I was his age. On second thought, since I didn’t sit at the table, I couldn’t. Our table seated 6: my parents & the 4 older siblings sat there, with my little brother’s high chair next to Mom; my older brother & I ate at the counter.
I guess there are some kids who would rather go to bed hungry than to eat what’s offered. Not in my house when I was Calvin’s age. That wouldn’t make for a funny strip though.
I could never have gotten away with that stunt. I’d have been recalled to the table, made to finish my supper and likely had the same thing again the next night if there were leftovers.
I actually saw an old movie serial — I think it was called “Zorro’s Fighting Legion” — where Zorro did this. He was trapped by a bunch of soldiers. He pointed off-screen and said "Look!’ and all the soldiers dutifully looked where he was pointing, giving Zorro his chance to attack.
My sister and her husband became parents to twins at a later age. When the boys were toddlers to preschool age, meal times were interesting. The boys never wanted to sit for antsy period of time and eat. They preferred to ‘graze’. The food would be plated and on the table, but they boys would come by, take a few bites, and go off to do whatever it was they were in the middle of…building something most likely. This is how it would go at every dinner. Not in my house. When it was time to eat, all four kids would come through the kitchen and dish up their plates and head to the table where we would all eat and would be there until the last person was done (unless someone hadn’t finished their homework which gave them a pass to leave).
codycab 7 days ago
Make sure Calvin doesn’t order a pizza after this.
C 7 days ago
Well done, kid
Blu Bunny 7 days ago
He left the table without getting dessert.
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover 7 days ago
He can run, but he can’t hide.
hariseldon59 7 days ago
Clever.
jasonsnakelover 7 days ago
I used to do that to my mom and say made you look until she got after me and reminded me of the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. We didn’t have wolves where we lived, but there were plenty of bees and wasps, and I was trying to get her to look after being told not to do the joke, and she thought I was messing around until she saw why I was trying to get her to look.
ꜝ 7 days ago
dine & dash — Calvin style
snsurone76 7 days ago
And you fell for it, Mom! I thought you knew better by now!
DaveG1960 7 days ago
Save a plate for when he’s hungry again in about half an hour…….
enigmamz 7 days ago
No song and dance number? Oh, that was a Sunday comic.
einarbt 7 days ago
Good move Calvin.
ddl297 7 days ago
Yep, and when he remembers DESSERT, she’ll scrape it all back on his plate saying, “Enjoy, Kiddo!”
Huckleberry Hiroshima 6 days ago
Double helping for you, mom.
Gina Carson 6 days ago
Calvin doesn’t have the swiftest of parents.
Wren Fahel 6 days ago
I could have used this when I was his age. On second thought, since I didn’t sit at the table, I couldn’t. Our table seated 6: my parents & the 4 older siblings sat there, with my little brother’s high chair next to Mom; my older brother & I ate at the counter.
sandpiper 6 days ago
With Cal, even a short-lived success is a win. He always forgets the back swing.
anamchara42 6 days ago
I guess there are some kids who would rather go to bed hungry than to eat what’s offered. Not in my house when I was Calvin’s age. That wouldn’t make for a funny strip though.
Pigs_Will_Fly 6 days ago
Calvin could have given it to Hobbes as well…
BJDucer 6 days ago
I would do that with brussel sprouts in a heartbeat…and I’m 63 years old!
Just-me 6 days ago
I could never have gotten away with that stunt. I’d have been recalled to the table, made to finish my supper and likely had the same thing again the next night if there were leftovers.
rshive 6 days ago
Whatcha gonna do when you get hungry, Calvin?
old_geek 6 days ago
As little as Calvin seems to eat…
Sherlock5 6 days ago
I actually saw an old movie serial — I think it was called “Zorro’s Fighting Legion” — where Zorro did this. He was trapped by a bunch of soldiers. He pointed off-screen and said "Look!’ and all the soldiers dutifully looked where he was pointing, giving Zorro his chance to attack.
mindjob 6 days ago
He’s been practicing and really has that wrist action down
kathleenhicks62 6 days ago
does she fall for that every time?
mountainclimber 6 days ago
Like the battle of wits in the Princess Bride.
EMGULS79 6 days ago
Wish I’d been able to pull that off.
1JennyJenkins 6 days ago
In real life: what is it anyway with parents insisting that the kids “clean their plate”?
It is the most ridiculous kind of forced eating, and no wonder Americans grow up with all kinds of eating disorders…
Thehag 6 days ago
When I read this I knew there’d be some interesting cultural judging.
mistercatworks 6 days ago
Don’t knock opportunity until you’ve tried it.
dsatvoinde Premium Member 6 days ago
My sister and her husband became parents to twins at a later age. When the boys were toddlers to preschool age, meal times were interesting. The boys never wanted to sit for antsy period of time and eat. They preferred to ‘graze’. The food would be plated and on the table, but they boys would come by, take a few bites, and go off to do whatever it was they were in the middle of…building something most likely. This is how it would go at every dinner. Not in my house. When it was time to eat, all four kids would come through the kitchen and dish up their plates and head to the table where we would all eat and would be there until the last person was done (unless someone hadn’t finished their homework which gave them a pass to leave).
willie_mctell 6 days ago
Carpe diem, or is it cave tigrem?
kab2rb 6 days ago
Only Calvin think on his feet.
g04922 6 days ago
Oh, oh… Calvin is going to want a snack later that evening. Mom will scold him for his attempt to fool her at dinner.
The Angel of the South 6 days ago
Hilarious!!!
glowing-steak32 6 days ago
I love how dad is genuinely curious.
razzledazzle295 5 days ago
Now you see him and the food. Now you don’t.