Chapter 2: A Letter to God

Lencho lived in the only house on the crest of a low hill in a valley. He hoped for rain for his ripe corn (a good harvest).

He said the raindrops were like new coins — big drops = ten cents, little ones = fives. The rain then changed into a hailstorm with strong wind and large hailstones.

The corn was totally destroyed — the field turned white as if covered with salt, not a leaf remained. Lencho had complete faith in God.

He wrote a letter to God. A postman read it and showed the postmaster. The postmaster, moved by Lencho's faith, collected money from employees and his own salary, and sent 70 pesos signed 'God'.

No, he was not surprised (such was his confidence in God). But on counting only 70 pesos he became angry — he thought the post office employees were crooks who stole the rest, and wrote another letter to God.

(i) He was anxiously waiting for rain for his crops. (ii) Because hailstones covered it like salt. (iii) Because rain meant a good harvest, i.e. money.

(iv) Locusts would have left more than the hail did (hail destroyed everything). (v) No — his faith was so complete he believed God sent it. (vi) They would be shocked/amused that he called them crooks.

(i) God. (ii) Lencho was a strong, hardworking man (worked like an ox). (iii) A fat, amiable (friendly) fellow. (iv) To not shake Lencho's faith in God. (v) A kind, generous deed of helping the needy.

1. cyclone   2. gale   3. whirlwind   4. hurricane   5. tornado   6. typhoon

Because his crop was destroyed by the hailstorm and he needed 100 pesos; he had full faith God would help.

The address 'To God' made him laugh; Lencho's deep faith made him turn serious and admire it.

Because only 70 of the 100 pesos came; he believed the post office employees (crooks) had stolen the rest.

A storm in which small balls of ice (hailstones) fall like rain.

crooks.

Lencho's faith was complete and unshakable. He wrote a letter to God for help, was not surprised when money came, and when short, he simply asked God to send the rest — blaming humans, never doubting God. His faith shows the theme of the story.

The postmaster was a fat, amiable and kind-hearted man. To protect Lencho's faith, he collected money from employees and his own salary and sent it as 'from God' — a true act of charity.

The irony is that Lencho trusts God completely but calls the very people who helped him (the honest postmaster and employees) 'crooks' who stole his money.

ଦୃଢ଼ ସଂକଳ୍ପ।

God.