Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for June 22, 2023

Rat should just have one big file, under E for Earth.

Does Rat have a cask of Amontillado in his cellar?

Rat needs to go digital!

So eat that much of Paul’s food and drinks!

You can say what you want about Rat but this strip shows that he is steadfast in his quest to… I dunno… waste a free party? There’s probably gonna be free food and beer!

Principles are more important than free food and drinks. If you’re a rat.

I hope no one named “Quincy” ever wrongs him.

At least Rat is organized!

I wouldn’t be surprised if Goat is in there as well.

Oh, gee…I just realised I see a bit of myself in Rat on that practice. Not holding grudges, necessarily, but keeping a record of the conflict in the archives.

Where’s the list of “those I’ve wronged”?

Besides, he had to rob Peter to pay Paul and Peter may be there, have him arrested and Rat will have to sign a plea deal to avoid going to jail. Some other real big rats are doing that these days.

Hmm. So… is Rat Richard Nixon, or is he the Count of Monte Cristo?

Sheldon.

No one can accuse Rat of carrying grudges – no way he can lift all that.

Paul could not have overcharged you without your consent Rat; it takes two to make a sale.

Myrna Tellingheusen would be proud.

Forgiveness is powerful. So is resentment. Life is too short live like that.

Who’s the leader of the group

That hates just everyone?

R-A-T R-A-T

Rat! And now we’re done.

Rat thinks everyone in the whole universe has wronged him. He might as well have an encyclopedia of people who wronged him.

I wonder how many Mar A Lago boxes contained the same?

I’ve digitized my list…

Paul and everyone else will be happy that Rat isn’t at the party. I would presume that he is a kind of party pooper and not much fun.

I know someone like that. She only remembers the bad stuff (according to her, anyway)

Sadly, I know a couple of people like Rat. As my Irish grandmother used to say, “They’re long in memory but short on forgiveness!”

Is someone keeping files on all the times Rat has wronged someone else?

I was expecting a pun involving words in the first panel.

That pretty much summons me up in life. Yes, I’ve mentally created the same kind of filing cabinets and yes it’s reserved for people whom have wronged me.

Some people are not forgiving….

Rat must be Irish.

I did no such thing.

Learning to let go of all of that baggage (or in this case file cabinets) can be very rewarding. It takes work, and time, but when you learn to let the past live in the past, then you can start living in the present.

On a used couch he didn’t overcharge, you overpaid

Should computerize things, Rat.

With a computer Rat can cross index them.

I can only imagine the filing cabinet for those he has wronged is the size of Texas.

Looks like trumps filing cabinet. Hey Rat, do you have any classified documents hidden in there ?

Oh yes! This long retired middle manager made peers eat humble pie a time or two.

I’m thinking about starting one after buying a “chocolate” donut the other day with fake chocolate frosting…

My plan for my enemies was too outlive them and pee on their graves. But now that hurts too much. @#$%^ my enlarged prostate!

In one of Henry Kuttner’s Hogben family stories, about a family of sorcerers that settled in Appalachia in the 1600’s, a guy like Rat convinces the teen age son to give him the ability to appear in many places at once. His goal is to hit everyone who ever slighted him over the head with a club.

once someone has failed your trust, it’s your own fault if you get “had” again. they aren’t going to change—don’t be a schmuck. “fool me once, shame on you…” etc.

Rats! I was hoping the first panel was the setup for a Pastis Pun.

Milton’s Berle’s joke file was bigger.

I know a guy who has a taser torture list. not sure if I should report him or not.

A Warhammer dwarf would look upon Rat’s Cabinet of Grudges and go “Whoa, dude, chill out.”

Today’s strip is a good lesson in reminding me to learn more about someone’s past before judging them harshly. Good one Steph.

Even Nixon only had a list.

Some people in real life would need a rental storage unit.

Anyone who can keep meticulous files of such things can’t be all bad—just anal-retentive….

Rat must be a female (just kidding!) :D

Pfft, we all do that, don’t we?

[KO-KO]

As some day it may happen that a victim must be found

I’ve got a little list — I’ve got a little list

Of society offenders who might well be underground

And who never would be missed — who never would be missed!

There’s the pestilential nuisances who write for autographs —

All people who have flabby hands and irritating laughs —

All children who are up in dates, and floor you with ’em flat —

All persons who in shaking hands, shake hands with you like that —

And all third persons who on spoiling tête-á-têtes insist —

They’d none of ‘em be missed — they’d none of ’em be missed!

[Chorus]

He’s got ‘em on the list — he’s got ’em on the list;

And they’ll none of ‘em be missed — they’ll none of ’em be missed

I got to admit, the list is getting a little long to commit to memory.