Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

In 1962 an episode of the Twilight Zone was entitled “Kick the Can”. It is the story of a group of old people who live in what was called a nursing home. Sixty years later we need to look at this story and remember what Rod Serling was trying to tell eight-year-old boys like me.

Charles and Ben have been life-long friends and are now roommates at Sunnyvale. Charles has decided that he is not as old as everyone thinks he is. While watching some kids playing in the street, he begins to believe that he only started to age when he quit playing games like hide and seek and kick the can.ch for kicking the can. It was always a game I played by myself when no one else was around. I preferred to sit under a tree with a book when I could. My first love was Cowboy Sam and as I became able to read more advanced literature I read “Podkayne of Mars” by Robert Heinlein. That was my introduction to Science Fiction.

My dad never allowed me to watch Twilight Zone or other Sci-Fi Shows. I watched them in reruns while in college. My brother bought a TV for our room, and we could watch anything we wanted. The late show was my friend.

Science fiction, including The Twilight Zone, deals with possibilities. That is what Charles was talking about. Is it possible that man’s thinking about aging was wrong? Today we have phrases like, “you’re only as old as you feel,” and “think young, act young, be young.” This episode of the show deals with our constant desire to stay young.

When what is now called America was first discovered by the Europeans, they wondered at the longevity of the natives of certain areas in south and central America. Rumors of a fountain of youth were frequently told. These stories were taken back, and more money was spent for further exploration.

In this story the idea of regaining youth is simple. After being separated from the others because he is called senile, he decides to make a break at night. Some of the others from the home go outside with him. Ben does not want any part of trying to become younger. The end of the show leads us to believe that Charlie was correct in his thinking.

What makes you feel younger? My grandchildren both make me younger and wear me out at the same time. What we eat can help us stay healthy and act younger. Proper exercise and healthy living practices can also extend our years.

The point made by Rod Serling is that we can make our years worse by simply thinking older. Think younger and be younger. Play can help us feel better. Take time for fun.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger