Calvin and his Mom take in the raccoon.
Calvin and Hobbes once found a near-dead raccoon. Calvin's mother took him into the garage and gave him food and water. Sadly, he was too weak to eat anything, and the next day he had passed on.
Calvin's father then told Calvin what happened, then he began to burst out bawling and sobbing, and his Dad did the best to comfort him. Calvin then told his dad that, "I'm Crying because out there he's gone but he not gone inside me"[1]. He later buried the raccoon under a tree in the woods.
Calvin and Hobbes later didn't understand why he had to die, and had trouble falling asleep, instead hiding under the bed because "all this death stuff gives me the heebie-jebbies"[2]. The story arc ended with Calvin talking about his mother saying birth was as natural as death, with Hobbes slightly comforting him as well. The strip focused on rare themes such as sadness, death and loss.
Trivia
- It was never shown or elaborated on what gravely injured the raccoon. However, he was described as a "baby" raccoon, meaning he could not have died of old age, and he is described as "hurt", meaning he died of an injury.
- This is regarded as the storyline which changed many people's view of Calvin. To this point, his adventures and experiences had all been positive, and readers had seen only his happy, fun, albeit mischievous and unpredictable nature. However, here another side of him is shown: a truly caring, sweet-hearted child.
- After the racoon died, Calvin told Hobbes not to go anywhere. Hobbes said he would not.
