Class 10 English: A Letter to God

• Author & Setting

  • Author: G.L. Fuentes
  • Setting: A solitary house on the crest of a low hill in a valley.
  • Main Crop: Ripe corn dotted with flowers promising a good harvest.

• The Conflict

  • Natural Calamity: A downpour turns into a destructive hailstorm.
  • Total Ruin:
    • Fields are completely white, as if covered in salt.
    • Corn is totally destroyed; leaves gone from trees.
  • Emotional State: A night of sorrow and despair, yet holding onto one hope—help from God.

• Lencho's Faith

  • Character Traits:
    • Innocent, simple-minded, and unshakable faith in God.
    • Believes God's eyes "see everything, even what is deep in one's conscience."
  • The Action: Writes a letter to God demanding 100 pesos to sow his field again and live until the crop comes.

• The Post Office Twist

  • The Postmaster:
    • Fat, amiable fellow who breaks out laughing upon seeing the address.
    • Amazed by the faith of the writer and decides not to shake it.
  • The Collection:
    • Gathers money from his employees.
    • Contributes a part of his salary; friends forced to give for an act of charity.
  • The Outcome: Collects a little more than 70 pesos, puts it in an envelope signed simply as 'God'.

• The Climax & Ending

  • Lencho's Arrival: Sunday, arrives early to ask if there is a letter for him.
  • The Reaction:
    • Shows no surprise upon opening the envelope, but becomes angry counting the money.
    • Believes God could not have made a mistake nor denied him what he requested.
  • Second Letter:
    • Writes another letter right at the public window.
    • Asks for the remaining 30 pesos, but requests not to send it through the mail.
    • Reason: The post office employees are a "bunch of crooks."