Calvin rips a hole in his pants getting off the swings at school and faces the problem of trying to get through the rest of the day with his underwear on display, particularly when he has to do a math problem up at the chalkboard.
Tropes
- Cassandra Truth: Calvin tells Miss Wormwood that "complete pandemonium" could result if she forces him to do the math problem just now. She doesn't believe him and makes him do it, and Calvin tells Hobbes later that multiple teachers and the principal couldn't quell the resulting chaos.
- Goofy Print Underwear: Calvin is wearing underwear covered with little rocket ships, just adding to the embarrassment of exposing them while still at school.
- Let Me Get This Straight...: Hobbes, talking to Calvin afterwards, asks him if it's correct that his teacher forced him to do a problem at the blackboard, not knowing his pants were ripped. Calvin says it's a good summary.
- Mooning: Calvin is forced to display his underpants to the entire class.
- Poor Communication Kills: Calvin tries to get out of doing the math problem up at the chalkboard but is unable to communicate the actual issue to Ms. Wormwood, claiming it's personal. This just makes it seem like he doesn't want to do it because of his hatred for math.
- Religious Russian Roulette: Calvin, having ripped his pants, desperately prays to be saved from having to go up in front of the class and embarrass himself. Miss Wormwood immediately calls on him. Calvin sourly remarks that this destroys any chance that he'll join the clergy when he grows up.
