How To Fight Like a Tiger

"No", Hobbes said "you got it all wrong first you run and then you pounce".

"Right", Calvin said "that's what I'm doing".

"No you are running and then jumping but not pouncing. Pouncing requires movement forward not upward", Hobbes said. "Now try it again".

"You always pounce from a stationary position when I come home from school", Calvin said "So why can't I try it that way first"?

"Because I said so", Hobbes growled. They had been at this for an hour and Hobbes was tired. This 'tigerness' was instinct and he couldn't teach that to Calvin no matter how hard he tried.

"Look Calvin let's just take a break. Okay", Hobbes asked.

"I'm not tired", Calvin replied.

"I AM", Hobbes shouted.

"Hey Calvin what are you and Hobbes doing", Susie asked as she walked by Calvin's house.

"Hobbes is teaching me to fight like a tiger", Calvin replied. "When Saturday comes Moe won't know what hits him".

"You're still gonna fight him Calvin", Susie asked.

"Yup", Calvin replied.

"Why", Susie asked.

"Let's just say it's personal", Calvin replied.

"You know you can't win he's just too big", Susie said.

"You got any ideas then Susie", Calvin asked.

"Let it go, please, you'd need a small army to defeat him", Susie said.

"NO", Calvin shouted. "He's been mean to me for too long now, I have to fight back I'm at my limit. I mean do you have any idea how it feels to be beaten down by someone so much that you hate seeing them everyday"?

"You mean like you and Hobbes do to me with GROSS, water balloons, mushy apples, slush balls, and mud balls", Susie asked.

"Are you saying I'm just like Moe", Calvin asked.

"No but you are pretty close", Susie replied.

"CLOSE", Calvin shouted "how can you say that Susie, I am not anywhere's near what Moe is. Do I take your lunch money or punch you for no reason"?

Susie looked down at ground. 'Why did she even open her mouth'?

"No I don't do I, come on Hobbes let's go practice in the backyard", Calvin said as he picked up Hobbes and walked away.

Once Calvin and Hobbes were in the backyard Hobbes spoke,

"You know maybe Susie was right, we might need an army to beat Moe".

"Yeah well no one stands up to Moe besides me, so how do we raise an army", Calvin asked.

"I can't believe I am going to actually suggest this", Hobbes said.

"Suggest what", Calvin asked.

"What about the Duplicator", Hobbes asked.

"No", Calvin said. "The last time we used that machine I got in more trouble because of those dumb duplicates. It was only pure luck I got rid of them."

"Right", Hobbes said.

"Now let's get back to the training", Calvin said.

Calvin's Mom looked out the window and wondered 'just what was her son up to now'?

"CALVIN, its dinner time", Calvin's mom shouted into the backyard.

"C'mon mom can't I please stay out for just five more minutes", Calvin asked.

"No", Calvin's mom replied.

"Fine I'm coming", Calvin said in a defeated tone as he headed towards his house.

Calvin walked to the sink, washed his hands and then he went and sat down at the table. He stared at his plate of assorted veggie globs and sighed, and then he picked up his fork and started to eat. Calvin's mom was amazed 'who was this child? He didn't complain or procrastinate about eating he just eats'.

"Calvin, honey", Calvin's mom said "Is there something wrong"?

"No", Calvin replied "Why"?

"It's just you seem different that's all", she replied.

"I just have a lot to think about", Calvin replied.

"What is it", Calvin's Dad asked.

"Personal", Calvin replied.

"You sure you don't want to talk about it", Calvin's Dad asked.

"YES", Calvin shouted as he finished his plate and put it in the sink. Then he went upstairs to take his bath.

Calvin's mom looked at her husband.

"Dear something is wrong", she said.

"I know", Calvin's Dad replied. "I'll find out what it is in a little bit".

"Okay", Calvin's mom said.