The Dead Raccoon: “But Don’t You Go Anywhere”
Posted: May 1st, 2012 | Comments Off
Hobbes, look! There’s a little raccoon on the ground. Is it alive? I think so, but he’s hurt. See, he’s hardly breathing. Better not touch him if he’s hurt. Yeah. You wait here and guard him. I’ll run and get Mom. I sure hope she can help. Of course she can! You don’t get to be Mom if you can’t fix everything just right. Calvin and Hobbes walk outside. Calvin wears a jacket. Calvin points his finger at a raccoon. Calvin and Hobbes watch the raccoon lying on the ground. Calvin tells Hobbes to wait while he runs to get Mom. Hobbes is not sure if his Mom can help. Calvin is more optimistic. He thinks you don’t become a Mom if you ain’t helpful in these situations.
There’s Hobbes guarding him, Mom. The little raccoon’s right over there! Ooh, Calvin, I don’t know if we can save him. He looks pretty bad. Go get a shoe box and a clean dish towel. Right! I don’t think this poor little guy is going to make it, Hobbes (sigh) I hate it when these things happen. … you can tell I’m upset when I start talking to you. Calvin and his mom run to Hobbes who guards the injured raccoon. Calvin’s mom looks at the wounded animal. She’s pessimistic about the raccoon. It looks bad. She’s worried how Calvin will take it and therefore starts talking with Hobbes. That’s somehow embarrasing for her.
Dad, did you check on the little raccoon this morning? Yes, Calvin. I’m afraid he died. Waahhhh!! I’m sorry too, kiddo. But he didn’t have much of a chance. Wahhhaahh! At least he died warm and safe Calvin. We did all could, but now he’s gone. Sniff. I know I’m crying because out there he’s gone, but he’s not gone inside me. Calvin runs to his dad to get to know how the raccoon is doing. His dad has to tell him that he’s dad. Calvin cries out loud. His dad tries to comfort him. Calvin suffers.
This is where Dad buried the little raccoon. I didn’t even know he existed a few days ago and now he’s gone forever. It’s like I found him for no reason. I had to say good-bye as soon as I said hello. Still … in a sad, awful, terrible way, I’m happy I met him. Sniff. What a stupid world. Calvin and Hobbes stand under a tree. Calvin explains that it’s a raccoon grave. He pours his heart out to Hobbes. Calvin complaints how stupid the world is.
Mom says death is as natural as birth, and it’s all part of the life cycle. She says we don’t really understand it, but there are many things we don’t understand and we just have to do the best we can with the knowledge we have. I guess that makes sense. But don’t you go anywhere. Don’t worry. Calvin and Hobbes take a walk outside. Calvin tells Hobbes about the things his mother told him about life and death. He somehow agrees. He just wishes Hobbes will never leave his side.