lucas

The Kool-Aid Wino
An Essay by Jon Anthony Lucas

Having had the opportunity to hear and read arguments on both sides of the issue, I still hold to the conclusion that the Kool-Aid wino was positive. My original three reasons still hold true, but I will add a fourth, which is that he in no way was lazy.

The argument of laziness was based on the fact that: he didn't change his clothes, that he couldn't work but ran from the store, and that he put his Kool-Aid making before his chore of washing dishes. It is my belief that his decision not to change clothes was not based on laziness but rather on humbleness. His exact statement was, "You're not fooling anyone by taking your clothes off when you go to bed." Many people even today spend hundreds of dollars on pajamas alone. He basically calls that a complete waste of time and money. More than likely he probably only had two outfits that were handed down from his older brothers anyway. Why go through the trouble of changing clothes everyday if that is all you have? Who would you be fooling?

In reading the story closely you will also find out that he did not run from the store. The story reads, "My friend LED the way across the field. One of the pheasants didn't even bother to fly. He ran across the field in front of US like a feathered pig." "He" refers to the pheasant not the Kool Aid wino.

Lastly, if you closely examine the story you will realize that he was not disobedient to his mother, nor lazy be not doing his chores. The story reads, "His mother came around the side of the house and said in a voice filled with sand and string, "WHEN are you going to do the dishes?" She didn't command nor demand that he do the dishes at that very moment. She asked her son a question giving him leniency to answer in an appropriate fashion. His answer was, "Soon." He made a further comment, "The dishes can wait." He did not say he wasn't going to do them. He said they can wait, most likely, until after he finished his Kool-Aid making ceremony, which would still be "soon."

In conclusion, the Kool-Aid Wino was not lazy. He chose a positive activity to escape his drastic reality, when most people today would have easily and somewhat justifiably chosen a negative one. He also appreciated what he had. Last but not least, he encouraged himself through the making and drinking of Kool-Aid. Many say that people smoke crack and other despicable things to make them feel good as well. While that may be true, realize that the Kool-Aid wino didn't drink moonshine. What he actually drank was colored water. As matter of fact he drank NASTY colored water. The Kool-Aid wino was definitely positive character.