3. How did the rain
change? What happened to Lencho's fields?
Answer: The rain
changed to a heavy hailstorm, which lasted for an hour. Lencho's fields were
totally covered with hailstones, and all his corn was destroyed. All the leaves
from the trees and all the flowers from the plants had fallen.
4. What were
Lencho's feelings when the hail stopped?
Answer: When the
hail stopped, Lencho's soul was filled with sadness. He was devastated at the
loss of his ripe corn and anxious about the future. He regretted that all his
hard work had come to nothing, and there was no one who could help him and his
family.
Oral Comprehension
Check :
1. Who or what did
Lencho have faith in? What did he do?
Answer: Lencho had
faith in God and his goodness.
With deep faith,
Lencho wrote a letter to God, asking him to help his family survive the loss of
their crop. In the letter, Lencho explained his situation and asked God to send
him a hundred pesos to help cover up his losses and tide him over the time until
the next harvest.
2. Who read the
letter?
Answer: The
postmaster read the letter.
3. What did the
postmaster do then?
Ans: The postmaster
was touched by Lencho's faith in God and did not want it to be shaken, so he
decided to answer Lencho's letter himself. The postmaster asked his employees
and some of his friends to contribute towards charity; he himself gave a part of
his salary, and so collected seventy pesos. He then mailed this to Lencho with
a letter having only 'God' written on it.
Oral Comprehension
Check :
1. Was Lencho
surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?
Answer: No, Lencho
was not surprised to find a letter for him with money in it, as he was
confident that God would reply to his letter and send him the money.
2. What made him
angry?
Answer: When Lencho
opened the letter, he found only seventy pesos and not the hundred that he had
asked for. He thought that God had definitely sent the full amount, but the
employees at the post office had stolen thirty pesos from it, and this made him
angry.
Thinking about the
Text :
1. Who does Lencho
have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this?
Answer: Lencho has
complete faith in God.
The sentences from
the text that tell us this are:
"But in the
hearts of all who lived in that solitary house in the middle of the valley,
there was a single hope: help from God"
"All through
the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope. the help of God, whose eyes, as
he had been instructed, see everything, even what is deep in one's
conscience."
"God, if you
don't help me, my family and I will go hungry this year."
"Lencho showed
not the slightest surprise on seeing the money; such was his confidence."
"God could not
have made a mistake.”
2. Why does the
postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter 'God'?
Answer: The
postmaster sends Lencho money because he is touched by Lencho's naivety and
unwavering faith in God and does not want that faith to be shaken.
He signs the reply
letter 'God' to make Lencho believe that it was actually God who had read his
letter and sent him the money he had requested.
3. Did Lencho try
to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not?
Answer: No, Lencho
did not try to find out who had sent him the money because he was utterly confident it had been sent by God himself.
4. Who does Lencho
think has taken the rest of the money? What is the irony in the situation?
(Remember that the irony of a situation is an unexpected aspect of it. An
ironic situation is strange or amusing because it is the opposite of what is
expected.)
Answer: Lencho thinks
that the people working at the post office have taken away the rest of the
money.
The irony in the
situation is that every person who had tried their utmost to help Lencho,
and who had donated money for him, was being accused of being crooks and of
having stolen his money.
5. Are there people
like Lencho in the real world? What kind of person would you say he is? You
may select appropriate words from the box to answer the question.
( Greedy , naive ,
stupid , ungrateful , selfish, comical , unquestioning )
Answer: In today's
world, it is almost impossible to find people like Lencho, but in places where
science's questioning mind has not raised its head, such as among tribals of
remote areas, people of his kind may be found.
Lencho was a simple
village farmer who had a strong belief in God and his goodness. He was quite
naive and accepted the impossible without question. He was ungrateful and a
little greedy in failing to thank God in his second letter and in insisting on
the balance of money. He was of a suspicious nature and jumped to conclusions. All
in all, Lencho was comical in his stupidity.
6. There are two
kinds of conflict in the story: between humans and nature, and between humans
themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated?
Answer: The
conflict between humans and nature is demonstrated by the hailstorm
destroying Lencho's cornfield. Lencho had hoped for a shower to help his
harvest, but when the rain turned to hail, it ended up destroying his crop
totally. On the other hand, the conflict between humans is demonstrated when
Lencho inadvertently blames the very people who had tried to help him. He had
much faith in God's goodness but not so much in the goodness of his fellow
human beings, and so blames them for stealing his money, not knowing that they
had sent him the money in the first place.
PREVIOUS YEARS (HSLC) QUESTION ANSWER
1. What happened to
Lencho's fields after the hailstorm? [HSLC '15]
Answer: All his
crops were destroyed.
2. Where was
Lencho's home situated? [HSLC'16]
Answer: Lencho's
home was situated on the crest of a low hill. It was the only house in the
entire valley, from which one could see the river and the field of ripe corn
dotted with flowers.
3. " All
through the night, Lencho thought only of this one hope:" What was
Lencho's only one hope? [HSLC '17]
Answer: Lencho’s
only hope was the help of God. He had deep faith that God’s eyes see
everything, even what is deep in one's conscience. Because his crops were
ruined and his family faced hunger, he believed that only God could help him by
providing the money (100 pesos) needed to sow his field again and live until
the next harvest.
4. What type of man was the Postmaster? [HSLC '19]
Answer: The
Postmaster was a kind, amiable, and empathetic man who was moved by Lencho's
faith in God and decided to help him by collecting money from his employees and
friends. He wanted to maintain Lencho's belief and trust in God.
5. What was the one
hope of Lencho? [HSLC '20]
Answer: Lencho's
one and only hope was help from God. His fields were completely destroyed by
the hailstorm, leaving him and his family without any crops for the year, so he
hoped God would help them survive.
6. What did Lencho
say to his sons after the hailstorm? [HSLC '20]
Answer: Lencho said
to his sons that the hailstorm had left them with nothing and that they would
have to seek help from God to survive. He stated, "Not a single soul
will help us. We'll all go hungry this year".
7. Why did Lencho
become angry when he counted the money? [HSLC '22]
Answer: Lencho
became angry when he counted the money because it was less than the amount he
had requested from God. He had requested 100 pesos but only received 70 pesos,
and he believed that the post office employees had stolen the missing money.
8."These
aren't raindrops falling from the sky; they are new coins." Why did Lencho
consider the raindrops as ‘new coins’? [HSLC ‘15]
Answer: Lencho
considered the raindrops as 'new coins' because a good rain was essential for a
good harvest, which would bring him money and prosperity. The big drops were
ten-cent pieces, and the little ones were five.
9."But don't
send it to me through the mail because the post office employees are a bunch of
crooks”. [HSLC '16]
What made Lencho
think that the post office employees were a bunch of crooks?
Answer: Lencho
thought the post office employees were a bunch of crooks because he had
received only seventy pesos instead of the one hundred pesos he had requested
from God. He assumed they had stolen the missing amount.
10. What did the
postmaster do after he had received Lencho's letter? [HSLC'17, '20]
Answer: After
receiving Lencho's letter, the postmaster first laughed, then became serious,
and decided to answer the letter to preserve Lencho's faith in God. He
collected money from his employees and friends and sent seventy pesos to
Lencho.
11. What did Lencho
do throughout the morning? What did he see in the north-east? [HSLC'18]
Answer: Throughout
the morning, Lencho sat in his field and looked towards the north-east sky,
waiting for rain. He saw huge clouds approaching from the north-east.
12. "Lencho's
soul was filled with sad sadness." Why? [HSLC '18]
Answer: Lencho's soul was filled with sadness because
the hailstorm had completely destroyed his cornfield, leaving nothing for his
family to eat that year.
13. The only thing the
earth needed…. “What’ only thing” did the earth need? [HSLC '19]
Answer: The only
thing the earth needed was rain. Lencho’s field needed rain so that his corn
crop could grow well and give a good harvest.
14. What did Lencho
write in his letter to God? [HSLC'19]
Answer: He wrote a
letter to God asking for a hundred pesos. He requested the money so he could
sow his field again and support his family until the new crops grew.
15. Why did Lencho
go out when the big drops of rain were falling? [HSLC '22]
Answer: To feel the
pleasure of the rain on his body. He was hoping the rain would lead to a rich
harvest, a reward for his hard work.
16. What were
Lencho's feelings after the hailstorm was over? [HSLC '23]
Answer: He was
filled with sadness and despair. The hailstorm completely destroyed his corn
and other crops, leaving his fields barren.
17. Why does the
postmaster send money to Lencho? [HSLC '23]
Answer: To preserve
Lencho's immense faith in God. The postmaster was moved by Lencho's faith and
decided to help him by collecting money from his colleagues.
18. "Now we're
really going to get some water, woman." [HSLC '24]
(a) Who is the
'woman' being referred to?
Answer: Lencho's
wife
(b) What 'water'
does the speaker imply?
Answer: Rain. The
speaker implies rain, which he hoped would bring prosperity to his fields.
19. Give a brief
description of the postmaster as represented in 'A Letter from God'. [HSLC '24]
Answer: In the
story A Letter to God, the postmaster is portrayed as a kind-hearted, generous,
and empathetic individual.
Initially, he
laughs at Lencho’s letter addressed to God, but he quickly becomes serious,
admiring the man’s unwavering faith. To ensure Lencho’s belief remains
unshaken, he takes the initiative to collect money from his employees and
friends, even giving a part of his own salary. Despite his noble act, he
remains humble, choosing to sign the letter simply as "God" rather
than taking personal credit.
20. "These
aren't raindrops falling from the sky; they are new coins. The big drops are
ten-cent pieces, and the little ones are free." Examine the irony that was
awaiting Lencho as soon as the storm was over [HSLC '25]
Answer: In the story A Letter to God, the
irony lies in the complete reversal of Lencho’s expectations.
Initially, Lencho
viewed the rain as "new coins" because he believed it would lead to a
prosperous harvest and financial security. However, the rain quickly turned
into a devastating hailstorm that wiped out his entire crop.
The irony is that
the very "coins" he welcomed as a blessing became the cause of his
total ruin. Instead of gaining wealth, he was left with nothing, eventually
turning to God to ask for the actual money he had lost.
21. Lencho had
unshakable faith in God, but lacked faith in humanity.' Comment. [HSLC '26]
Answer: Lencho had
absolute trust in God but doubted human kindness. He believed God would send
him 100 pesos, but when he received only 70, he accused the post office
employees—who had actually helped him—of being a "bunch of crooks.”
1. Choose the correct answer from the
alternatives given:
(a) I need a hundred pesos (currency of
India/Spain/Latin America) [HSLC'15]
Answer:
Latin America.
(b) Send me the rest, since I need it very
much. (relax/remaining part/be buried).
[HSLC'16]
Answer: remaining part.
(c) The house -the only one in the entire valley-sat on the crest of a low hill. (wide/ | whole/flat). [HSLC '17]
Answer: whole.
(d) Send me the rest, since I need it very
much. (relaxing/remaining part/remaining idle). [HSLC
'22]
Answer: remaining part.
(e) State whether the following statements are
True or False: [HSLC
'22]
(i) Lencho was a trader.
Answer: False.
(ii) Lencho was a farmer.
Answer: True.
(f) Choose the correct answer from among the alternatives given and complete the
sentence:
The field was white, as if covered with [HSLC
'22]
(i) snow
(ii) flour
(iii) salt
Answer: (i) snow.
(g) "A plague of locusts would have left
more than this..." What does the underlined word mean? [HSLC'23]
(i) a herd of animals
(ii) a swarm of bees
(iii) a flock of birds
(iv) a swarm of insects
Answer: (iv) a swarm of insects.
(h) "The postmaster - a fat, amiable
fellow also broke out laughing
-". [HSLC'23]
Choose from below the word that is the same in
meaning as 'amiable' -
(i) huge
(fi) friendly
(iii) jealous
(iv) angry
Answer: (ii) friendly.
(i) Lencho hoped for help from. [HSLC '23]
(a) neighbours
(b) sons
(c) God
(d) wife
Answer: (c) God.
(j) Read the following statements with Reference to 'A Letter to God' and choose the correct option: [HSLC '24] |
Statement 1: The house in which Lenchol was
living was in the middle of a populous town..
Statement 2: Lencho was a good farmer.
(a) Statement 1 is true, and Statement 2 is
false
(b) Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is
true
(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 21 are
false
Answer: (b)
(k) "I hope it passes quickly." It
did not pass | quickly. What is the 'it' referred to? [HSLC-24]
(a) A pack of wolves
(b) A swarm of locusts
(c) The hailstorm
(d) The storm of dust
Answer: (c) The hailstorm.
(l) What was Lencho's immediate response when
he received the letter from God? [HSLC
'24]
(a) He began shouting at the postmaster
(b) He was not surprised but very angry
(c) He began laughing with joy
(d) He was sad and silent
Answer: (b)
(m) On receiving the letter from the
postmaster, | Lencho did not seem surprised because. [HSLC '25]
(a) He knew everything beforehand.
(b) He was confident of receiving a reply from
God.
(c) He had dreamt about God's reply.
(d) He knew the postmaster was a man. good!
Answer: (b)
(n) In this sentence from "A Letter to
God", which literary device is used by the author to describe the field?
"The field was white as if covered with
salt. [HSLC'25]
(a) Metaphor
(c) Irony
(b) Simile
(d) Pun
Answer: (b) Simile
(o) In the story "A Letter to God",
what was the most likely response that the postmaster expected in Lencho's
second letter to God? [HSLC'25]
(a) sorrow
(b) happiness
(c) gratitude
(d) indignation
Answer: (c) gratitude.
(p) Read the passage carefully and answer the
questions that follow :[HSLC '25]
The house - the only one in the entire valley - sat on the crest of a low hill. From this height, one could see the river
and the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers that always promised a good
harvest. The only thing the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower.
Throughout the morning, Lencho - who knew his fields intimately - had done nothing
else but see the sky towards the north-east.
(i)... What did Lencho do throughout the
morning?
(a) Watched the river
(b) Watched the sky
(c) Watched the field
(d) Watched the valley
Answer: (b) Watched the sky.
(ii) Choose the correct antonym for the word
'crest' given in the passage.
(a) summit
(b) ridge
(c) top
(d) bottom
Answer: (d) bottom.
(q) "A plague of locusts would have left
more than this." Lencho made this
remark as his crops were destroyed by [HSLC
'25]
(a) a landslide
(b) a hailstorm
(c) a drought
(d) a flood
Answer: (b) a hailstorm.
( r ) Based on the details given about
Lencho's house in "A Letter to God", it can be best described
as. [HSLC ‘26]
(a) majestic
(b) imposing
(c) unique
(d) solitary
Answer: (d) solitary.
(s) Choose the correct words in order to
complete the letter written by Lencho if he had received a hundred pesos from
God.
Dear God,
Thanks for sending a hundred pesos for this
kind gesture. You were my only help. I am very grateful for your help and my faith in you.
This money will help me until the crop, and I promise to work hard in the
future. [HSLC ‘26]
(a) you, as, grateful, hope, strengthened,
grow, work
(b) you, as, grateful, worship, strengthened,
grow, work
(c) you, as, grateful, hope, weakened, grows,
work
(d) you, as, grateful, hope, strengthened,
grow, work
Answer: (d) you, as, grateful, hope,
strengthened, grow, work
FAQs
Q1. Who wrote A Letter to God?
Ans: G.L. Fuentes wrote A Letter to God.
Q2. What is the theme of A Letter to God?
Ans: The theme is faith, hope, and human kindness.
Q3. What lesson do we learn from the story?
Ans: We learn that faith is important, but we should also trust people.
Q4. Why is the story called “A Letter to God”?
Ans: The story is called so because Lencho wrote a letter directly to God asking for help.
Q5. What is the irony in the story?
Ans: The irony is that Lencho trusted God completely but blamed the post office employees, who actually helped him.
