A Letter to God

"A Letter to God" is a short story included in the NCERT Class 10 English textbook as part of the "First Flight" prose section. Written by G.L. Fuentes, this story revolves around the themes of faith, human emotions, and the relationship between man and God, focusing on a simple farmer's unwavering belief in the divine. Summary: The story revolves around a poor farmer named Lencho who relies heavily on the rains for his livelihood. One year, a hailstorm destroys his crops just before the harvest season. Disheartened and desperate, Lencho decides to write a letter to God, expressing his anguish and asking for a hundred pesos to help him through the tough times.

When Lencho finishes writing the letter, he wonders how it will reach God. He believes that the postman, being the link between the village and the city, is the most suitable person to deliver his letter to God. Lencho hands over the letter to the postman, who is moved by the farmer's deep faith and sincerity. The postman is touched by Lencho's faith and decides to help him. After discussing the matter with his colleagues, they all contribute money to help Lencho. When they gather the amount of money and send it to Lencho, they include a note assuring him that it's from God, hoping to uplift his spirits. Upon receiving the money, Lencho is disappointed. He counts the money and finds it short by ten pesos. Convinced that God would not make a mistake, he writes another letter to God, expressing his disappointment and attributing the mistake to the dishonesty of the post office employees.

Themes: Faith and Belief: Lencho's unwavering faith in God is evident throughout the story. Despite facing hardships, he believes that God will help him and expresses his emotions through the letter. Human Emotions: The story delves into the human emotions of hope, despair, trust, disappointment, and perseverance. Lencho's emotional journey and the postman's empathy highlight the intricate emotions that connect individuals. Perception and Reality: Lencho's perception of God and divine intervention contrasts with the reality of human intervention and empathy. The postman's actions showcase the power of human compassion and understanding in challenging situations. Moral Lessons: The story emphasizes the importance of faith and belief during challenging times. It highlights the significance of empathy, understanding, and compassion in human interactions. The narrative underscores the power of perception and the reality of human actions in shaping individuals' beliefs and emotions. Overall, "A Letter to God" is a poignant story that delves into the complexities of human emotions, faith, and the interplay between perception and reality, offering valuable insights into the intricacies of human relationships and beliefs. Questions: Who is the protagonist of the story "A Letter to God"? Why does Lencho decide to write a letter to God? How does Lencho plan to send his letter to God? What is the postman's reaction when he reads Lencho's letter addressed to God? How do the postman and his colleagues respond to Lencho's letter? What is the content of the note sent to Lencho along with the money? Why is Lencho disappointed upon receiving the money from the post office? What does Lencho conclude about the missing ten pesos? How does the postman feel about Lencho's faith in God? What themes are explored in the story "A Letter to God"? Answers: Lencho is the protagonist of the story "A Letter to God." Lencho decides to write a letter to God because a hailstorm destroys his crops just before the harvest season, and he believes that God can help him through his difficult times. Lencho plans to send his letter to God through the postman, considering him as the link between the village and the city. The postman is moved by Lencho's deep faith and sincerity when he reads the letter addressed to God. The postman and his colleagues decide to help Lencho by contributing money to assist him during his hardships. The note sent to Lencho along with the money assures him that the money is from God, aiming to uplift his spirits and faith. Lencho is disappointed upon receiving the money because it is short by ten pesos, and he believes that God would not make such a mistake. Lencho concludes that the missing ten pesos must be due to the dishonesty of the post office employees, as he believes that God would not have made a mistake. The postman feels deeply touched by Lencho's unwavering faith in God and his sincerity, leading him to empathize with Lencho's situation. Themes explored in the story "A Letter to God" include faith and belief, human emotions such as hope and despair, empathy, perception versus reality, and the complexities of human relationships. These questions and answers provide a comprehensive understanding of the story "A Letter to God" and its various themes, characters, and plot elements.