Family Circus: Could I have something ot eat that isn't good for me?

The vagueness of Jeffy's question clearly indicates that the cookie jar is a clever misdirection. Jeffy's actually planning to eat paint chips, but knows his mother will say no if he just comes right out and asks for them specifically. And because virtually nothing has changed in the Keane house for nearly half a century, the paint chips are obviously full of lead.

So this cartoon is hilarious because Jeffy's going to die.