Summary of A Letter to God

"A Letter to God" is a poignant short story by G. L. Fuentes that revolves around Lencho, a poor but hardworking farmer who lives alone on a hilltop. The story begins with Lencho eagerly awaiting rain to nourish his crops. When the rain finally arrives, it initially seems like a blessing, with Lencho imagining the raindrops as "new silver coins" falling from the sky. However, the rain soon turns into a destructive hailstorm, devastating his entire crop and threatening his family's survival for the year.

Despite this misfortune, Lencho's faith remains unshaken. He writes a letter to God, asking for one hundred pesos to replant his fields. He addresses the letter simply to "God" and mails it. The postmaster and his colleagues, moved by Lencho's faith, collect money to help him and send seventy pesos in response, signing the letter as "God." When Lencho receives the money, he is grateful but also upset that the amount is less than requested. He suspects the post office employees of stealing the rest and writes another letter to God, asking for the remaining thirty pesos and warning that the post office workers are "a bunch of crooks."

Key Elements

• Theme: Faith and irony are central to the story. Lencho's unwavering belief in God contrasts with the human flaws revealed in the post office employees.
• Characters: Lencho, the postmaster, and the post office employees.
• Setting: A rural Mexican village, emphasizing simplicity and hardship.
• Literary Devices: Irony, symbolism (rain as silver coins), and satire.

Textual Evidence

• "The first drops of rain were like new silver coins." – Symbolizes hope and prosperity.
• "God, if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year." – Shows Lencho's faith and desperation.
• "A bunch of crooks." – Reflects Lencho's suspicion and irony in the story.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• Who is Lencho and what is his occupation?
• What natural event destroys Lencho's crops?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Explain the significance of Lencho's letter to God.
• Why did the postmaster and his colleagues decide to help Lencho?

Level 3 – Challenging

• Discuss the irony present in the story "A Letter to God."
• Analyze Lencho's faith and its portrayal in the story.

Answer Key

• Lencho is a poor farmer who relies on his crops for livelihood.
• The hailstorm destroys Lencho's crops.
• Lencho's letter symbolizes his faith and hope for divine help in a time of crisis.
• The postmaster and colleagues were moved by Lencho's faith and wanted to help him financially.
• The irony lies in Lencho's faith in God contrasted with his mistrust of the post office employees who actually helped him.
• Lencho's faith is pure and unwavering, showing his belief in divine intervention despite hardships.

Quick Reference

• Author: G. L. Fuentes
• Theme: Faith, irony, human nature
• Setting: Rural Mexico
• Characters: Lencho, postmaster, post office employees

Glossary

• Pesos: Currency used in several Latin American countries.
• Faith: Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
• Irony: A situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems the opposite of what you expected.
• Hailstorm: A storm with small balls of ice falling like rain.