EXPLANATION & SUMMARY

“A Letter to God” is a moving story by G.L. Fuentes that explores themes of faith, hope, innocence, and the complexity of human nature. The lesson introduces us to Lencho, a hardworking farmer who relies solely on his crops and the mercy of nature to provide for his family. Through his journey, the story teaches powerful lessons about trust, community, and the unintended effects of good intentions.

The Setting and Lencho’s Life:
The story opens with a vivid description of Lencho’s house, set on the top of a low hill in rural Latin America, surrounded by his cornfields. The land is his only source of livelihood, and he watches the sky anxiously, waiting for rain to water his crops. The entire year’s sustenance depends on a good harvest. When the rain finally comes, Lencho and his family are filled with joy, believing their prayers have been answered.

Disaster Strikes:
However, the rain soon turns into a hailstorm. The hail falls heavily, destroying the entire crop within an hour. The leaves are shredded, and the flowers are gone. Lencho is devastated, knowing that his family will now face hunger. Despite this tragedy, Lencho’s faith in God remains unshaken. He believes that God will not forsake someone who works hard and is honest.

The Letter to God:
In his simple, childlike faith, Lencho writes a letter to God. He describes his desperate situation and asks God to send him one hundred pesos so that he can sow his fields again and support his family until the next harvest. He confidently addresses the envelope “To God” and drops it in the mailbox.

The Postmaster’s Response:
When the postman and the postmaster come across Lencho’s letter, they are both amused and touched by his innocence and unwavering faith. The postmaster, a kind-hearted man, decides to answer the letter so that Lencho’s faith is not broken. He collects money from his employees and friends, and adds part of his own salary. However, they can only gather seventy pesos.

Lencho’s Reaction:
The postmaster places the money in an envelope addressed from “God” and gives it to Lencho. On receiving the reply, Lencho is neither surprised nor overjoyed, as he completely expected God to answer his plea. However, when he counts the money, he is disappointed to find only seventy pesos instead of the hundred he requested. Certain that God could not make such a mistake, Lencho concludes that the post office employees must have stolen the rest.
He writes a second letter to God, asking Him not to send the money through the post office next time, as the “employees are a bunch of crooks.”

Themes and Message:

The story masterfully portrays Lencho’s absolute faith and innocence, while also showing the generosity and compassion of the post office workers. At the same time, it highlights the irony of Lencho’s mistrust toward those who actually helped him. The lesson encourages readers to reflect on faith, empathy, and the unpredictability of human perceptions.


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PASSAGE

The postmaster—a fat, amiable fellow—also broke out laughing, but almost immediately he became serious and tapped the letter on his desk. “What faith! I wish I had the faith of the man who wrote this letter,” he exclaimed. Then, turning to the employees, he spoke about collecting money so that Lencho’s faith would not be shaken. It was impossible for him to gather a hundred pesos, so he was able to send the farmer only a little more than half.

Questions and Answers
(Fill in the blank—Synonym, 1 mark)
1. The word “amiable” in the passage can be best replaced by the synonym __.
Answer:
friendly

(Multiple Choice—Antonym, 1 mark)
2. Which of the following is the antonym of the word “impossible” as used in the passage?
A) unlikely
B) difficult
C) possible
D) unnecessary
Answer:
C) possible

(Short Answer, 15 words, 1 mark)
3. Why did the postmaster decide to collect money from the employees?
Answer:
He wanted to preserve Lencho’s faith in God by sending him the requested money.

(Long Answer, 40 words, 2 marks)
4. Explain how the postmaster’s reaction to Lencho’s letter shows his character and values.
Answer:
The postmaster, though amused at first, quickly admires Lencho’s faith and takes it upon himself to honor it. His decision to collect money demonstrates empathy, kindness, and a deep respect for another person’s beliefs and innocence.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

(3 marks, 60 words)
Question:1
Describe Lencho’s faith in God and how it influenced his actions after the hailstorm.
Answer:
Lencho’s faith in God is absolute and unwavering. After the hailstorm destroys his crops, instead of losing hope or blaming fate, he writes a letter to God, sincerely believing that God will help him in his time of need. His actions demonstrate complete trust in divine intervention, highlighting the depth of his belief and innocence.

(3 marks, 60 words)
Question:2
How did the postmaster and his employees react to Lencho’s letter, and what does their response reveal about their character?
Answer:
Initially amused, the postmaster and his employees are soon moved by Lencho’s simple faith. They decide to collect money to respond as “God,” wanting to preserve his belief. Their actions show empathy, kindness, and respect for Lencho’s innocence. They demonstrate how humanity often tries to help others, even in unconventional or anonymous ways.

(3 marks, 60 words)
Question:3
Explain the irony present in Lencho’s reaction after receiving the money. What message does this irony convey?
Answer:
The irony is that Lencho, who receives help because of his faith, ends up doubting the very people who helped him. He assumes the post office employees have stolen part of the money. This irony highlights how blind faith can sometimes coexist with suspicion, and how misunderstandings can arise even from acts of genuine kindness.

(3 marks, 60 words)
Question:4
In what way does the story “A Letter to God” teach us about the nature of hope and resilience?
Answer:
The story illustrates that hope and resilience can persist even in dire circumstances. Lencho’s determination to seek help and not give up after his crops are ruined shows strength of spirit. His belief in a solution, even if unrealistic, encourages readers to stay hopeful and resourceful during life’s challenges, seeking help where possible.

(6 marks, 120 words, deep thinking)
Question:5
Reflect on the title “A Letter to God.” Do you think the story is only about faith in God, or does it have a broader message about humanity? Support your answer with examples from the text and your own views.
Answer:
While “A Letter to God” centers on Lencho’s faith in God, its broader message is about faith in humanity. The postmaster and his employees, representing human kindness, are the true answer to Lencho’s prayer, even though he doesn’t recognize it. The story suggests that, often, help comes through people acting compassionately. It highlights how collective goodwill can become a form of divine intervention for those in need. Additionally, the story encourages us to support others selflessly and keep faith in the goodness of people, even if recognition is not always given. Personally, I believe the narrative is a celebration of human empathy, community, and the unexpected ways hope is fulfilled through acts of generosity.

(6 marks, 120 words, deep thinking and originality)
Question:6
Do you think Lencho’s innocence is a strength or a weakness? Provide your viewpoint with reference to events in the story and your personal reflections.
Answer:
Lencho’s innocence is both his strength and weakness. It is a strength because it allows him to have unshakeable faith and remain hopeful even after disaster; this faith motivates action rather than despair. However, it is also a weakness, as it blinds him to the reality that help can come from humans, not just God. He mistrusts those who actually helped him, missing the opportunity to express gratitude or recognize humanity’s role in his recovery. His innocence reminds us of the importance of faith, but also the need for awareness and appreciation of the people who support us. In real life, combining hope and gratitude for both divine and human help makes us wiser and more compassionate.

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