A Letter to God – Summary, Word Meanings, PYQs & Important Answers (Class 10 English)
Chapter from: First Flight (CBSE Class 10 English Textbook)
Summary of “A Letter to God”
The story, written by Gregorio López y Fuentes, highlights the deep faith of a poor farmer named Lencho.
Lencho depends completely on his crops for survival. One day, a heavy hailstorm destroys his entire field of corn. Feeling hopeless, but strongly believing in God, Lencho decides to write a letter to God, asking for 100 pesos to help his family survive until the next harvest.
When the local postmaster reads the unusual letter, he is moved by Lencho’s faith. To help, he collects money from his colleagues and sends it to Lencho, signing it “From God.”
Lencho, however, is disappointed to receive less than 100 pesos. Convinced that God could never make a mistake, he assumes that the post office employees must have stolen the rest. This shows his unshakable faith in God, but also his distrust of humans.
👉 The story teaches us about faith, hope, innocence, and human kindness.
Word Meanings & Vocabulary
- Downpour – heavy rainfall
- Hailstones – small balls of ice that fall like rain
- Solitary – alone
- Resemble – to look like
- Cottage – small simple house
- Conscience – inner sense of right or wrong
- Sow – to plant seeds in the soil
- Deity – a god or divine being
- 💡 Tip for exams: Learn these words with examples so you can use them in answers.
Important Questions & Answers
Q1. What were Lencho’s feelings when it started raining?
Answer: Lencho was very happy and hopeful. He compared the raindrops to “new coins” because they promised him a good harvest and prosperity.
Q2. Why did Lencho write a letter to God?
Answer: After the hailstorm destroyed his crops, Lencho had complete faith that God would help him. He wrote a letter asking God for 100 pesos to support his family.
Q3. How did the postmaster react to Lencho’s letter?
Answer: The postmaster was deeply impressed by Lencho’s faith. To preserve it, he collected money with his colleagues and sent it as if it came from God.
Q4. Why did Lencho call the post office employees “a bunch of crooks”?
Answer: Lencho believed that God sent him the full 100 pesos. Since he received less, he thought the employees had stolen the rest. This shows his innocence and unshakable faith in God.
Key Themes of the Chapter
Previous Year Questions & Answers (PYQs)
Q1. How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho’s fields?
(2019 Board Exam)
Answer: At first, it rained beautifully and Lencho was very happy. Soon, large hailstones began to fall. The hailstorm destroyed Lencho’s entire crop of corn, leaving the fields barren and his family hopeless.
Q2. Why did the postmaster decide to answer Lencho’s letter?
(2020 Pre-Board)
Answer: The postmaster was touched by Lencho’s deep faith in God. To preserve that faith, he collected money with the help of other employees and sent it to Lencho, pretending it was from God.
Q3. Lencho compared raindrops to “new coins.” Why?
(2018 Exam)
Answer: Lencho was a farmer and his life depended on his crops. The raindrops meant a good harvest, which would bring him money. So, he happily compared the raindrops to “new coins.”
Q4. Why did Lencho call the post office employees “a bunch of crooks”?
(2017 Question Bank)
Answer: Lencho believed that God had sent him the full 100 pesos. Since he received less, he thought the post office employees had stolen the remaining money.
Q5. What moral do you learn from the story “A Letter to God”?
(2021 Practice Paper)
Answer: The story teaches us about faith, hope, and human kindness. It also shows the innocence of people like Lencho, who strongly believe in God even during difficulties.
Extra Practice Questions (for students)
- What is the role of the postmaster in the story?
- How does the story highlight the contrast between faith in God and faith in humans?
- Do you agree with Lencho’s attitude at the end? Why/why not?
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