A Letter to God — Practice

Question 1

Why did Lencho need the rain, and what did he compare the raindrops to?

Accepted Answer

His ripe cornfield needed a good shower for a good harvest. He compared the big raindrops to 'new coins'.

✦ Answer: for his corn crop; he called the raindrops 'new coins'.

Question 2

How much money did Lencho ask God for, and how much did he actually receive?

Accepted Answer

He asked for 100 pesos and received 70 pesos.

✦ Answer: asked 100, received 70.

Question 3

Who actually sent the money to Lencho?

Accepted Answer

The postmaster, with contributions from the post-office employees and part of his own salary, sent the money signed 'God'.

✦ Answer: the postmaster and his employees.

Question 4

Why was Lencho not surprised on seeing the money but became angry afterwards?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — His faith was so strong that he fully expected God to send help, so the money did not surprise him.

Step 2 — On counting it he found only 70 pesos instead of 100; sure that God could not err, he concluded the post-office employees had stolen the rest, and became angry.

✦ Answer: he expected God's help (no surprise); the short amount made him suspect theft (anger).

Question 5

What is the irony in 'A Letter to God'?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — The postmaster and employees showed real kindness by collecting and sending money to a stranger.

Step 2 — Yet Lencho, unable to imagine such human goodness, branded these very helpers 'a bunch of crooks'.

✦ Answer: the people who genuinely helped him are the ones he accuses of cheating — that is the irony.

Question 6

What kind of a man was the postmaster?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — He was a fat, amiable man with a kind heart.

Step 2 — Moved by Lencho's faith, he did not want it shaken, so he generously arranged money from his staff and his own salary and sent it as if from God.

✦ Answer: kind, generous and conscientious — he acted to protect Lencho's faith.

Question 7

'Lencho had complete faith in God but none in human beings.' Discuss with reference to the story.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Lencho's faith in God was 'firm as a mountain'; even after losing his crop he confidently wrote to God expecting help, and was unsurprised when money 'arrived'.

Step 2 — In contrast, when the amount fell short, he never suspected God; instead he assumed dishonest humans — the post-office employees — had stolen it.

Step 3 — Ironically, those employees had actually given from their own pockets out of kindness.

Step 4 — Thus the story shows his absolute trust in the divine and his complete distrust of people — a comment on human nature.

✦ Answer: contrast his unshakeable faith in God with his ready suspicion of his real (human) helpers, highlighting the irony.

Question 8

The postmaster helped a stranger without expecting thanks. What values does his action teach us?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — The postmaster shows compassion and empathy — he feels for a poor farmer's plight.

Step 2 — He shows selfless generosity, giving his own money and rallying others, expecting nothing in return.

Step 3 — He acts to protect another person's faith and dignity rather than to gain credit.

Step 4 — His example teaches that quiet, anonymous charity and kindness to strangers are noble values worth practising.

✦ Answer: compassion, selfless charity, sensitivity to others' faith/dignity — kindness done without seeking reward.

Practice — A Letter to God

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