A-letter-to-God–Class-10–English–Summary–questions-and-answers–CBSE-NCERT
SUMMARY – A LETTER TO GOD
The story “A Letter to God” highlights the unwavering faith of a poor farmer named Lencho. He lived with his family on a hill, where his house overlooked the valley and fields of corn—the only source of livelihood. Lencho hoped for good rains to ensure a bountiful harvest. His prayers seemed answered when it started raining, but soon the rain turned into a hailstorm. Within an hour, the entire crop was destroyed. The family was devastated, and Lencho felt that only God could help them now.
Full of strong faith, Lencho wrote a letter to God, asking for one hundred pesos to sow his field again and support his family until the next harvest. He posted the letter at the village post office. The postmaster, amused at first, admired Lencho’s deep faith. To avoid shattering it, he collected money from his colleagues and friends, but managed to send only seventy pesos.
When Lencho received the letter, he was not surprised, as he was confident that God would respond. However, upon counting the money, he grew angry, believing that God had sent the full amount but the post office employees had stolen the rest. In his next letter to God, Lencho requested that the money be sent directly to him, not through the post office.
The story ends with irony: the very people who helped Lencho became the victims of his suspicion.
Message/Theme:
The story shows unshakable faith, innocence, and simplicity of a poor farmer, along with the irony of human misunderstanding. It also reflects the importance of helping others while respecting their beliefs.
Glossary
Solitary – Alone; without companions.
Crest – The top of a hill or mountain.
Valley – A low area of land between hills or mountains.
Downpour – A heavy fall of rain.
Hailstones – Small balls of ice that fall like rain.
Plague of locusts – A destructive swarm of grasshoppers that damages crops.
Fortunate – Lucky; having good fortune.
Conscience – The inner sense of right and wrong.
Crop – Cultivated plants such as corn, wheat, etc., grown by farmers.
Hunger – The need or desire for food.
Contentment – A state of satisfaction and peace.
Harvest – The process of gathering mature crops from the fields.
Drought – A long period of little or no rainfall.
Faith – Strong belief or trust, often in God or a higher power.
Envelope – A flat paper cover in which a letter is enclosed.
Addressed – Wrote the name and details of the receiver on a letter.
Postmaster – The head of a post office.
Charity – Help given to the needy, usually money or goods.
Irony – A situation where the result is opposite to what is expected.
Innocence – The quality of being simple, pure, or without guilt.
Short Questions & Answers
Q1. Who was Lencho and where did he live?
Lencho was a poor farmer who lived with his family in a small house on the top of a low hill. From there, he could see his field of corn in the valley. His simple life revolved around farming and depending on nature for survival.
Q2. Why was Lencho eagerly waiting for rain?
Lencho eagerly awaited rain because his cornfield was ready for harvest and required water to ripen properly. Without rain, his year-long effort would go waste. For him and his family, rain meant hope, food, and survival, as the entire family depended on the crop yield.
Q3. How did Lencho describe the rain?
Lencho was delighted when rain began. He described the raindrops as “new coins.” The big drops were like ten-cent pieces and the small ones like five-cent coins. For him, rain symbolized prosperity and ensured a good harvest, which meant security for his family.
Q4. What ruined Lencho’s crop and how?
The rain soon turned into a terrible hailstorm. Huge hailstones fell like frozen pearls, destroying all the flowers and leaves in Lencho’s field. Within an hour, not a single leaf was left on the plants. The hailstorm completely destroyed his year’s hard work and hope.
Q5. What was Lencho’s family’s reaction after the hailstorm?
Lencho’s family was heartbroken after the hailstorm. The destruction meant hunger and poverty for them. His sons, who earlier rejoiced at the rain, now turned sad and worried. They feared the coming days would be difficult, as there was no harvest left to depend on.
Q6. Why did Lencho say, “Even a plague of locusts would have left more than this”?
Lencho said this because the hailstorm was so severe that it destroyed every single leaf, flower, and fruit. He believed even locusts, though destructive, would have spared something. But hailstones left the field completely barren, leaving no chance of survival for his family.
Q7. Why did Lencho write a letter to God?
Lencho had immense faith in God. After the hailstorm destroyed his entire crop, he believed only God could help him. To save his family from hunger, he wrote a letter to God, requesting one hundred pesos to sow his field and survive till next harvest.
Q8. How did Lencho send his letter?
Lencho put all his faith into words and wrote a letter to God. He addressed it simply as “To God” and took it to the post office. He affixed a stamp, dropped it into the mailbox, and felt confident God would read it.
Q9. How did the postman and postmaster react to Lencho’s letter?
At first, the postman laughed heartily after reading Lencho’s letter addressed to God. The postmaster, too, was surprised and amused. But soon he became serious, admiring Lencho’s faith in God. He decided not to disappoint him and planned to collect money for Lencho’s request.
Q10. How did the postmaster help Lencho?
The postmaster, touched by Lencho’s faith, collected money from his employees and friends. He even contributed a part of his salary. Though unable to gather the full amount of one hundred pesos, he managed seventy pesos and sent it to Lencho in an envelope signed “God.”
Q11. How much money did Lencho receive? Did he doubt God?
Lencho received only seventy pesos instead of one hundred. He did not doubt God’s existence or generosity. Instead, he believed God had sent the full money, but the dishonest post office employees had kept the rest. His faith in God remained as strong as ever.
Q12. Why was Lencho angry after receiving the money?
Lencho was angry because he had asked God for one hundred pesos, but only seventy reached him. His innocence and blind faith made him suspect the post office employees of stealing the missing thirty pesos. He thought God would never send less than what was asked.
Q13. What did Lencho write in his second letter to God?
In his second letter, Lencho thanked God for sending help. But he also complained that the post office employees were dishonest and had kept some of the money. He requested God not to send money through the post office next time, as they could not be trusted.
Q14. What is the irony in the story?
The irony lies in Lencho’s unshakable faith and misunderstanding. The post office employees, who secretly helped him, were suspected by Lencho of stealing. His gratitude toward God turned into anger at the very people who sacrificed for him. This situational irony makes the story both humorous and moving.
Q15. What qualities of Lencho are revealed in the story?
Lencho is shown as a simple, hardworking farmer with unshakable faith in God. He is innocent and straightforward, but also naive. His deep devotion reflects purity of heart. However, his lack of worldly understanding makes him suspicious of those who had actually helped him.
Q16. How does the story highlight faith in God?
The story highlights faith through Lencho’s absolute trust that God would never abandon him. Despite losing everything, he confidently wrote a letter to God, convinced of receiving help. Even after getting less money, he did not doubt God but blamed humans. His faith remained pure and unquestioned.
Q17. How did the postmaster feel after reading Lencho’s letter?
Initially amused, the postmaster soon became serious. He admired Lencho’s simple faith and innocence. He didn’t want to disappoint him and thought helping him would strengthen the farmer’s trust in God. His kind and generous nature is revealed in his decision to collect money for Lencho.
Q18. What does the story teach us about human nature?
The story shows that humans can be innocent like Lencho, placing blind faith in divine powers. It also reflects kindness, as seen in the postmaster’s act of charity. Yet, it portrays irony because sometimes our misunderstandings lead us to mistrust the very people who help us.
Q19. Why is Lencho’s faith described as ‘an ox’s faith’?
Lencho’s faith is described as strong and unshakable, like an ox’s. No matter how difficult the situation, he stood firm in believing God would help him. Just as an ox symbolizes strength and endurance, Lencho’s belief in divine assistance remained steady, even during complete destruction.
Q20. Why did the postmaster decide to answer Lencho’s letter?
The postmaster realized that breaking Lencho’s faith would be cruel. He was touched by the farmer’s innocent devotion to God. Out of compassion and respect, he decided to collect money and send it to Lencho so that his faith would remain unshaken.
Q21. How is nature both a friend and enemy in the story?
Nature appeared as a friend when it rained, promising a good harvest. Lencho even compared the raindrops to coins. But within moments, nature turned destructive, as hail destroyed everything. Thus, nature plays a dual role—sometimes nourishing, sometimes ruining—showing the unpredictability of a farmer’s life.
Q22. What role does irony play in the ending?
The ending is ironic because Lencho, who trusted God completely, misunderstood human kindness. The very people who sacrificed to help him were suspected of theft. The irony creates humor and sadness together, highlighting innocence, blind faith, and the unpredictability of human perceptions.
Q23. What role does the post office play in the story?
The post office acts as the bridge between Lencho and God. The employees, especially the postmaster, secretly play God’s role to fulfill Lencho’s request. Ironically, despite their generosity, Lencho suspects them of dishonesty, making the post office both the giver and the wrongly accused.
Q24. How did Lencho react after the hailstorm?
After the storm, Lencho was heartbroken and deeply worried about his family’s survival. He compared the destroyed field to a battlefield, with not a single leaf left. Yet, he did not give up hope. Instead, he turned to God, reflecting his resilience and faith.
Q25. What shows Lencho’s innocence in the story?
Lencho’s innocence is reflected in his childlike faith in God. He genuinely believed God had a mailbox, read letters, and sent money. Even when he received less, he did not doubt God’s generosity but thought men had cheated him. His purity of thought shows his innocence.
Q26. Why is Lencho considered naive?
Lencho is naive because he believed God would physically send him money. He did not understand the kindness of humans around him. Instead of thanking the post office employees, he accused them of dishonesty. His inability to grasp reality makes him both innocent and naive.
Q27. What lesson does the story give about faith?
The story teaches that faith can be a powerful force, giving strength even in hopeless situations. Lencho’s faith kept him from despair. However, blind faith can also lead to misunderstanding. The story urges balancing faith in divine powers with trust in human kindness.
Q28. How did Lencho’s family support him after the loss?
Though upset by the destruction, Lencho’s family trusted his decision to seek God’s help. They shared his belief that God would not abandon them. Their quiet support strengthened his resolve to write the letter. Their unity reflects the role of family in facing hardships together.
Q29. What values are shown by the postmaster’s act?
The postmaster’s act shows generosity, kindness, and empathy. Though amused at first, he respected Lencho’s devotion. By contributing from his own salary and encouraging others to donate, he displayed humanity and compassion. His effort ensured that Lencho’s strong faith in God was not broken.
Q30. What does the story reveal about faith and misunderstanding?
The story reveals that faith can be absolute, as seen in Lencho, but it can also blind people to reality. Lencho misunderstood the kindness of the post office staff, suspecting them wrongly. This shows how faith, if unchecked by reason, may lead to misplaced judgments.
LONG QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. Describe Lencho’s house and surroundings.
Lencho lived in a small house situated on the top of a low hill. From there, one could see the valley and the field of ripe corn dotted with flowers. It was the only house in that entire area, standing isolated yet overlooking beautiful natural scenery. The house represented simplicity and poverty but also hope, as the crops in the valley were the family’s main source of livelihood. This setting highlights Lencho’s dependence on nature. His life revolved around farming, rainfall, and harvest, showing the vulnerability of farmers to natural forces beyond their control.
Q2. How did Lencho describe the rain?
When rain finally arrived, Lencho felt overjoyed. He compared the raindrops to “new coins,” saying the large drops were like ten-cent coins and the small ones like five-cent coins. For him, rain was not just water but wealth and prosperity, as it promised a rich harvest. He and his family rejoiced because rain meant survival and security for the year ahead. This description shows the farmer’s innocence and deep connection with nature. To Lencho, natural forces determined his family’s happiness and future. Thus, rain symbolized blessings and abundance, making him see it as money from the heavens.
Q3. How did the hailstorm destroy Lencho’s hopes?
Initially, Lencho welcomed the rain, but soon his joy turned into despair. The rain changed into a violent hailstorm, which lasted for an hour. Large hailstones fell like frozen pearls, completely destroying his field. Not a single leaf, flower, or fruit remained. His year-long effort vanished within minutes. Lencho compared the destruction to a locust attack but said even locusts would have left more. The storm left nothing for the family to eat or sell, pushing them toward hunger and misery. For Lencho, it was not just the loss of crops but also of hope and survival.
Q4. How did Lencho and his family feel after the hailstorm?
The entire family was devastated after the hailstorm. Lencho, who earlier rejoiced at the rain, now felt broken and worried about their future. His children, who were initially excited about the rainfall, became sad and hopeless after seeing the destruction. The family realized there would be no harvest, no food, and no income. Despite their despair, they trusted Lencho’s belief in God and hoped for divine help. Their sorrow was balanced by faith, which prevented them from giving up entirely. The scene depicts the emotional struggle of poor farmers when nature destroys their only source of livelihood.
Q5. Why did Lencho write a letter to God?
After the hailstorm, Lencho saw no hope in men but had absolute trust in God. He firmly believed God could see everything and would never abandon his children in need. Driven by this faith, he decided to write a letter to God asking for one hundred pesos. He wanted money to sow his field again and to survive until the next harvest. His act of writing to God reveals his innocence and simplicity. Instead of feeling helpless, he acted with confidence, trusting divine power to solve his problems. This shows his unshakable faith in God’s generosity.
Q6. How did the post office employees react to Lencho’s letter?
When the postman found Lencho’s letter addressed to God, he laughed and took it to the postmaster. At first, both were amused by the unusual address. However, the postmaster soon became serious and admired Lencho’s deep faith. To avoid breaking this trust, he decided to help. He collected money from his colleagues and friends, adding part of his salary. Though the full amount could not be raised, they managed seventy pesos. Their act of kindness reflects generosity and respect for faith. The employees became instruments of God in answering Lencho’s prayer, even if unknowingly misunderstood later.
Q7. How did the postmaster help Lencho without revealing the truth?
The postmaster, touched by Lencho’s faith, collected seventy pesos through contributions from post office staff and his own salary. He put the money in an envelope and signed it “God” before sending it to Lencho. He wanted Lencho to continue believing that God had answered his prayer. By hiding the truth, he preserved the farmer’s simple faith in divine power. His act was selfless and compassionate, reflecting true humanity. Although misunderstood later, his effort shows the nobility of helping others silently. This incident also emphasizes the irony of human faith and misunderstanding in the story’s climax.
Q8. Why did Lencho not doubt God even after receiving less money?
Lencho had immense trust in God’s generosity. When he received seventy pesos instead of the requested one hundred, he never doubted God. In his mind, God was all-knowing and could never make a mistake. His blind faith made him believe that God had sent the full amount, but the dishonest post office employees had stolen the rest. This reveals both his unshakable faith and his naivety. He separated God’s perfection from human imperfection, showing childlike innocence. Instead of losing hope, he immediately wrote another letter to God, complaining about the supposed dishonesty of the postal workers.
Q9. What did Lencho write in his second letter to God?
In his second letter, Lencho expressed gratitude to God for sending help. However, he also showed his anger at receiving less than requested. He accused the post office employees of being dishonest and stealing thirty pesos from the envelope. He requested God not to send money through the post office in the future, as they could not be trusted. His words highlight his innocence and blind faith. He firmly believed God would read the letter again and respond. This situation adds irony, because the very people who helped him selflessly were wrongly accused of dishonesty by Lencho.
Q10. What qualities of Lencho are revealed through the story?
Lencho is portrayed as hardworking, simple, and innocent. His devotion to farming reflects his honesty and dependence on nature. His most striking quality is his unshakable faith in God, which remains unbroken even in crisis. He is also naive, as he believes God physically sends money through letters. His suspicion of the post office employees shows his simplicity but also a lack of understanding of human kindness. Overall, Lencho represents purity of heart, devotion, and resilience in the face of hardship, making him both admirable and amusing in the eyes of readers.
Q11. How does the story show the relationship between man and nature?
The story highlights the deep dependence of farmers on nature. Lencho’s happiness began with rainfall, as it promised a good harvest, but nature soon turned destructive through a hailstorm, leaving his family devastated. This dual role of nature as both a friend and an enemy reflects the unpredictability of a farmer’s life. For people like Lencho, survival depends on natural forces beyond their control. The story captures both beauty and cruelty of nature, showing how it provides life yet also takes it away. It underlines the vulnerability of human beings in front of natural powers.
Q12. Why is Lencho’s faith described as “an ox’s faith”?
Lencho’s faith is compared to that of an ox because it was strong, unquestionable, and unshakable. Just like an ox is steady and firm, Lencho’s trust in God never wavered, even after the destruction of his crops. He believed firmly that God would help him survive. When he received less money, he did not doubt God but accused humans instead. His belief was blind, innocent, and absolute, much like an ox’s unwavering strength. This metaphor emphasizes the depth of Lencho’s devotion, showing that his hope rested entirely on divine power and nothing could shake it.
Q13. How is irony reflected in the ending of the story?
The irony lies in Lencho’s misunderstanding of human kindness. The postmaster and his staff made sacrifices to help him, but Lencho believed they had stolen part of the money. Instead of being grateful to them, he grew angry. The very people who acted as God’s messengers became the victims of his suspicion. This creates situational irony, where the outcome is opposite of what one expects. Readers feel both sympathy and amusement. The ending highlights the innocence of Lencho’s faith but also shows how blind faith can sometimes lead to misinterpretation of reality and people’s intentions.
Q14. How does the postmaster emerge as a symbol of human kindness?
The postmaster is initially amused but soon becomes touched by Lencho’s deep faith. He does not want to disappoint the farmer and decides to secretly answer his prayer. He collects contributions and adds his own money, finally sending seventy pesos in the name of God. His actions reflect generosity, empathy, and respect for faith. Although Lencho misunderstands him later, the postmaster emerges as a true symbol of human kindness. His silent help teaches the value of compassion and shows that even small acts of goodness can protect another person’s hope and faith in difficult times.
Q15. How did the hailstorm affect Lencho’s family economically and emotionally?
Economically, the hailstorm destroyed Lencho’s entire crop, which was their only source of food and income. The family faced hunger, poverty, and uncertainty about survival. Emotionally, it left them shattered and hopeless. The children, who earlier enjoyed the rain, became worried. Lencho himself felt broken but did not lose faith. Instead, he turned to God with confidence that help would come. The incident reflects how closely tied farmers’ lives are to natural forces. While the storm brought despair, their strong faith in God provided them with emotional support to face the tragedy with some courage.
Q16. Why is the story considered humorous as well as deeply moving?
The story is humorous because Lencho believes God literally reads letters and sends money. His innocence in writing to God and accusing postal employees makes readers smile. At the same time, it is deeply moving because of his faith, the postmaster’s generosity, and the family’s suffering. It shows the struggles of poor farmers and how faith helps them survive. The irony of Lencho’s suspicion adds to the humor, while his devotion adds to the emotional depth. Together, these elements create a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, leaving readers with mixed emotions of laughter and sympathy.
Q17. What role does the post office play in the story?
The post office acts as the medium between Lencho and his belief in God. It becomes the channel through which Lencho’s prayer is answered. The employees, especially the postmaster, take on the role of God by sending money to maintain his faith. Ironically, Lencho suspects them of dishonesty, thinking they stole part of the amount. Thus, the post office plays both roles—of kindness and suspicion. It symbolizes human compassion but also highlights misunderstanding caused by blind faith. The post office is central to the irony of the story, bridging divine belief and human effort.
Q18. How does the story highlight the theme of faith versus reality?
The story beautifully contrasts faith and reality. Lencho’s faith in God was absolute; he believed divine powers would provide money through a letter. Reality, however, was that the money came from generous postal employees, not from heaven. When the amount fell short, he blamed the employees instead of doubting God. This shows how blind faith can distort perception of reality. While faith gave Lencho hope, it also made him misinterpret human kindness. The story highlights the need for faith but also warns against ignoring the truth of human effort and reality.
Q19. Why can Lencho be called a symbol of innocence?
Lencho represents innocence through his actions and thoughts. He believed God lived in heaven, could read letters, and would send money like a person. Even after receiving less, he did not doubt God but accused men instead. His simple thinking reflects purity of heart. Unlike most people, he did not calculate or question divine powers. His misunderstanding of human kindness further shows his childlike approach to life. Lencho’s innocence is touching and makes the story both moving and ironic. He becomes a symbol of uncorrupted human faith and simplicity, untouched by worldly suspicion or logic.
Q20. What moral lesson does the story convey?
The story teaches that faith gives strength in times of hardship. Lencho’s unshakable belief in God kept him from despair. It also shows the importance of kindness, as the postmaster and his staff silently helped him. At the same time, the story warns that blind faith may lead to misunderstanding reality. Lencho’s suspicion of the helpers shows how innocence can also cause misjudgment. Thus, the moral is to balance faith with gratitude and trust in human goodness. Helping others and respecting their beliefs is equally important for building compassion in society.
