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Table of Contents
Paraphrase of “A Letter to God”
‘A Letter to God’ by G. L. Fuentes discuss the firm belief of a farmer, Lencho to the God. Lencho’s farm is destroyed in hailstorm and his family is to face hunger. So, Lencho decides to ask some money from the God to survive until the next crop. Lencho writes letter requesting hundred pesos, but the Postmaster, who is very amiable and kind, gathers seventy pesos and gives Lencho the money addressing God to Lencho.
Lencho’s Hope Of Good Harvest
Lencho, a farmer in ‘A Letter to God’, lived on the crest of a low hill with his family. Lencho’s house was the only house in the entire valley. Lencho’s field promised a good harvest. Lencho would bring prosperity. He was allowed to live happily with his family for the whole year. His field was full of ripe corn. His field was easily visible from his house. Eagerly, the farmer Lencho was waiting for rain for a good harvest. So, Lencho could earn money for his family.
Lencho’s Hope Turned into Despair
In “A Letter to God”, as Lencho had hoped, it started raining at the time of dinner. It made Lencho happy. Lencho went outside of the house. Lencho felt the rain on his body. From the sky the raindrops were falling. The sky would make his crops better. Then Lencho felt that he would earn good money. Therefore, the raindrops were like new coins for Lencho’s life. Then, suddenly strong winds began to blow. Large Hailstones started to fall. Hailstones started to destroy his crops. The rain along with hailstorm stayed for an hour, leaving the field white. The trees became without leaves. The corn fields were completely destroyed.
It made Lencho sad. The storm ended. Then, lencho went to his field with his sons. Lencho said to his sons that at least insects would have left some crops that could be sold. Now, finally for stroming, they have no crops to sell. They could not earn money. As a result, Lencho and his sons could not buy food and would go hungry. Finally, Lencho was devastated.
Lencho’s Firm Belief in God
Lencho is the main character in the story ‘ A Letter to God’ by Gregorio Lopez Y Fuentes. Lencho had a firm belief in god. Lencho believed that God sees everything. Lencho also believed that God helps people with their problems. Lencho was a poor farmer. He had lost all his crops. Lencho had firm faith in God. Lencho found in God his last hope.
Lencho decided to write a letter to God for help him. Lencho asked to God to send him a hunderd pesos so that he could sow his field again after a hailstorm destroyed his crops and supported his family until the new crops were harvestrd. Also, Lencho wrote that if God would not help him then his family would die of hunger. Then he went to the post office. Then Lencho put his letter into the mailbox.
The Postmaster’s Reaction to Lencho’s Letter
In the short story, ‘A Letter to God’, the postmaster reaction to Lencho’s letter is one of amusement, then seriousness and finally action. In the post office, the postman found Lencho’s letter. Initially, the postmaster laughed after seeing the address on it. Postman took the letter to the postmaster.
In the post office, the postmaster was a kind and friendly person. When the postmaster read the letter then also he laughed. however, Lencho realised that Lencho ( the sender) had a true belief and faith in God. Then, the Postmaster became serious. So, the Postmaster decided to help the sender and was moved by Lencho’s faith in God. The Postmaster requested his colleagues and friends to give some money for an act of charity. Thus the Postmaster collected money and he also contributed some money of his own salary.
But the Postmaster could collect only seventy pesos. Then, the Post master put the money in an envelope and signed the money as God. The Postmaster’s reaction conceal his empathy, generosity and compassion. Also, the Postmaster showed his respect for Lencho’s beliefs and a sense of responsibility towards others.
Lencho Receives the Money
Next, Sunday, Lencho went to the Post office where the Postman gave him his letter. Lencho saw the money in the post office. Then Lencho was not surprised. Lencho became extremely happy. Thereafter, when Lencho counted the money then his happiness turned to anger. Because there was seventy pesos while he had asked for hundred pesos.
Lencho Writes Another Letter
In “A Letter to God”, Lencho trusted that God could not make such a mistake. So, Lencho again wrote a letter. After writing his letter, again Lencho posted it. As soon as Lencho left, then the Postmaster tookout his letter from the letter box and read the letter again.
In that letter, Lencho wrote that he had received only seventy pesos and asked God to send the last money for second time. Also, Lencho requested to God not to send the money by Post office because the Post office employees were a bunch of crooks who might have stolen his money.
Word Meaning in “A Letter to God”
Crest – Top of a mountain or hill
Downpour – A heavy fall of rain
Shower – Fountain
Intimately – Very well
Supper – An evening meal
God Willing – By grace of God
Regard – Consider
Draped – Covered ( with cloth)
Plague – An usually large number
Solitary – Lonely
Instructed – Taught
Locusts – Insects which fly big swarms
Conscience – An inner sense of right and wrong
Daybreak – Dawn
Peso – Unit of currency in several Latin-American countries
Sow – Planting the seeds of a crop
Heartily – Loudly
Amiable – Pleasant
Correspondence – Letters sent or received
Resolution – Firm decision
Charity – Help or money given to those in need
Contentment – Satisfaction
Deed – A brave or noble act
Wrinkling – A slight line or fold in the skin of the face
Lick – To strike with tongue gently
Affixed – Attached
Blow – Hard hit
Bunch – Group
Crooks – Dishonest people