- A Letter to God: Frequently used for comparing Lencho’s faith with other characters like Nelson Mandela.
Answer:
Comparison of Faith and Resilience :
Nature of Faith Lencho’s faith is primarily spiritual and simple. He possesses an unwavering, unquestioning belief in a divine power, viewing God as a direct source of help who sees everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience. In contrast, Nelson Mandela’s faith is moral and political. His belief is rooted in the human spirit, the inevitability of justice, and the fundamental “ultimate goodness” of man, even in the face of extreme oppression.
Response to Crisis When faced with the destruction of his livelihood, Lencho’s reaction is one of personal reliance. He turns inward and upward, seeking help from God in complete solitude, believing that no one dies of hunger if they have faith. Nelson Mandela’s response to the crisis of apartheid is a collective struggle. Rather than seeking a solitary solution, he draws strength from the cumulative sacrifices of thousands of South African patriots, viewing his journey as part of a larger movement for human dignity.
Outcome of Belief The outcome of Lencho’s belief is rooted in irony. While his faith saves him from despair, it also leads to a lack of rational judgment; his blind conviction that God sent the money causes him to distrust the very humans (the post office employees) who actually helped him. Conversely, Mandela’s belief leads to a profound transformation. His struggle and faith in humanity transform him from a “frightened young man” into a “bold one,” eventually making him a selfless leader who liberates his entire nation from the “extraordinary human disaster” of discrimination. - Character Sketch of Lencho
a. Describe Lencho as a man of faith and simplicity.
Answer: Lencho is a hardworking, simple and deeply religious farmer. He lives a modest life and depends entirely on his crop for survival. His strong faith in God is evident when, after the hailstorm destroys his harvest, he writes a letter directly to God asking for help. He believes that God will certainly send him the required money. His simplicity is seen in his innocent trust that the postal system will deliver his letter to God. However, his faith also makes him somewhat naive, as he fails to consider human effort behind the help he receives. Thus, Lencho represents unwavering faith and rural simplicity.
b. Is Lencho practical or naive? Justify.
Answer: Lencho appears more naive than practical. Although he is hardworking and understands farming well, he shows unrealistic belief when he writes a letter to God expecting financial help. Instead of exploring practical solutions like seeking community support or alternative work, he depends entirely on divine intervention. When he receives less money than expected, he immediately accuses the post office employees of dishonesty rather than questioning his assumption. His innocence and blind faith make him admirable but impractical. Therefore, Lencho’s character highlights the difference between strong belief and practical wisdom. - Comment on Lencho’s unwavering faith in God.
Answer: Lencho’s faith in God is absolute and unquestioning. After the hailstorm destroys his crops, he does not lose hope but firmly believes that God will help him. His decision to write a letter seeking one hundred pesos shows his complete trust in divine power. Even after receiving only seventy pesos, his faith remains unshaken; he assumes God sent the money and blames the post office staff for stealing the rest. His faith gives him strength during adversity but also reflects innocence and blind trust. Thus, Lencho symbolizes firm belief rooted in simplicity.
Character Sketch of The Postmaster - Describe the postmaster as a kind-hearted and compassionate man.
Answer: The postmaster is a generous and empathetic individual. When he reads Lencho’s letter addressed to God, he does not mock him but is moved by his faith. To preserve Lencho’s belief, he collects money from his colleagues and contributes part of his own salary. His act reflects compassion and humanity. Though he cannot arrange the full amount, his intention is noble. He wishes to prevent Lencho from losing faith in God. The postmaster represents kindness, leadership and selfless service, proving that humanity can act as a medium of divine help. - How does the postmaster represent humanity and empathy?
Answer: The postmaster represents empathy through action rather than words. He understands Lencho’s suffering and appreciates his deep faith. Instead of ignoring the letter, he decides to help practically by collecting funds. His initiative inspires other employees to contribute. Even though he may have smiled initially, he ultimately respects Lencho’s belief. His efforts show that compassion involves understanding others’ emotions and responding positively. By becoming the instrument of help, he reflects the idea that humanity itself can act as God’s representative in times of need. - People get support from family and friends during bad times. How does Lencho’s family behave after the harvest is ruined?
Answer: Lencho’s family reacts with silent concern but continued hope. Initially, they eagerly expect rainfall for a good harvest. However, when the rain turns into a hailstorm and destroys the crop, they become anxious and distressed. Despite their fear of hunger, they do not lose courage. They rely on Lencho’s confidence and faith in God. The family shares his belief that divine help will arrive. Their behaviour reflects unity, trust and resilience during hardship. Instead of blaming fate, they stand together, showing emotional strength in adversity. - ‘Lencho was an ox of a man, working like an animal in the fields, but still he knew how to write.’ What does this line tell us about the norm amongst such farmers, then?
Answer: This line highlights that most farmers during that time were physically strong but largely uneducated. Lencho is compared to an ox to show his hardworking nature and physical endurance. However, unlike many rural farmers, he could write a letter, which suggests that literacy was uncommon among them. The statement reflects the social reality of limited educational opportunities in villages. It emphasizes that farmers were skilled in agricultural work but lacked formal education. Thus, the line underlines both Lencho’s strength and the educational limitations of rural communities. - What, according to you would have been the likely reaction of Lencho’s wife upon knowing about him writing an actual letter to God?
Answer: Lencho’s wife might initially feel surprised and slightly doubtful about writing a letter to God. However, knowing Lencho’s strong faith, she would likely support his decision. She understands their desperate situation and realizes that hope is their only strength. Instead of discouraging him, she might silently pray for help. Her reaction would reflect practical concern blended with emotional support. She would stand by her husband, trusting his belief while worrying about their children’s future. Her response would show both realism and faith. - Lencho waited eagerly for a reply to his letter to God. Do you think the postmaster was also very keen to know Lencho’s reaction upon receiving the ‘reply’?
Answer: Yes, the postmaster was likely eager and anxious about Lencho’s reaction. He had taken great effort to collect money to preserve Lencho’s faith in God. Naturally, he would hope that Lencho feels grateful and reassured. Instead, Lencho’s second letter accusing the employees of theft must have shocked and disappointed him. However, this reaction also proves how strongly Lencho believed in God. The postmaster’s curiosity reflects his emotional involvement and genuine concern for Lencho’s well-being. - ‘The field was white, as if covered with salt.’ This is how the field is described after the hailstorm. The pelting hailstones could have been easily seen as sugar cubes. Do you think comparing it with sugar would have been more appropriate? Why/ Why not?
Answer: Comparing the field to salt is more appropriate than sugar. Salt symbolizes barrenness, dryness and destruction, which matches the ruined crops. Sugar might suggest sweetness or something pleasant, which contradicts the tragic situation. The white hailstones resembled sugar cubes visually, but the effect they caused was bitter and devastating. Therefore, salt better conveys the lifeless and damaged state of the fields. The comparison enhances the seriousness of the loss rather than softening it. - Lencho and his family knew the implications the hailstorm would have on their lives. Write a conversation between Lencho and his wife as they watched the downpour turn to a hailstorm.
- Lencho did not bother exploring any other means to resolve his situation but just turned to God. Do you feel that his approach was justified? Why/Why not?
Answer: Lencho’s approach reflects emotional faith rather than practical reasoning. In extreme distress, people often turn to spiritual belief for strength. His faith gave him hope and prevented despair. However, practically, he could have explored other options such as seeking help from neighbours or authorities. Depending solely on divine intervention may not always solve real-world problems. Therefore, while his faith is admirable and inspiring, his lack of practical effort makes his approach partly justified but somewhat unrealistic. - The people at the post-office contribute to put together whatever they can manage, for Lencho.
(a) What do you think was the main reason behind their help? Would you have done the same if you were one of the employees?
Answer : The main reason behind the employees’ help was compassion and respect for Lencho’s faith. They were moved by his innocence and did not want him to lose trust in God. If I were one of the employees, I would also contribute, as helping someone in genuine need is a moral responsibility. As an employee, I might also feel motivated by the postmaster’s leadership. Sometimes, supporting a cause initiated by a superior encourages unity and teamwork. Even if one hesitates, social responsibility and empathy push us to act. Their contribution reflects collective humanity and shared kindness in difficult times.
(b) As an employee, write about your perspective and reason(s) for contributing to the fund. The fact that you don’t want to say ‘no’ to a cause initiated by your boss, can also be an equally compelling reason! - Read the given anecdote and analyse the similarities and differences with reference to ‘A Letter to God’.
A very poor woman called-in a radio station asking for help from God. A non-believer, also listening to this radio program, decided to make fun of the woman. He got her address, called his secretary and ordered her to buy food and take it to the woman. However, the instruction was: “When the woman asks who sent the food, tell her that it’s from the devil.” When the secretary arrived at the woman’s house, the woman was very happy and grateful for the help. The Secretary then asked her, ”Don’t you want to know who sent the food?” The woman replied, ”No, I don’t even care because when God orders, even the devil obeys!
Answer: Both stories highlight unwavering faith in God. In ‘A Letter to God’, Lencho believes that God will send money, while in the anecdote, the woman believes God can use anyone—even the devil—to help her. Both characters show absolute trust in divine power. However, Lencho reacts with suspicion when he receives less money, whereas the woman remains grateful and positive. The anecdote presents faith as wiser and more optimistic, while Lencho’s faith appears somewhat naive. Both stories emphasize that God often works through human beings to help those in need. - The postmaster was a representative of God. Evaluate this statement in the context of your understanding of ‘A Letter to God”.
Answer: The statement is justified because the postmaster becomes the medium through which Lencho receives help. Although he is not God, his compassionate act fulfills Lencho’s prayer. By collecting money and sending it anonymously, he preserves Lencho’s faith. His actions reflect kindness, generosity and moral responsibility. In this sense, he represents divine qualities such as mercy and empathy. The story suggests that God often works through human beings. Therefore, the postmaster can rightly be seen as God’s representative on earth. - “Faith can move mountains.” Compare how Lencho and Nelson Mandela exhibit this quality in the face of overwhelming odds.
Answer: Both Lencho and Nelson Mandela demonstrate that profound faith is the bedrock of resilience, though their sources of strength differ. Lencho’s faith is singular and spiritual; he possesses a childlike innocence that leads him to write a letter to God, convinced that divine providence will not let him starve. His “mountains” are moved by the kindness of the postmaster, though his literal interpretation of God’s response prevents him from recognizing human generosity.
Conversely, Mandela’s faith is social and humanitarian. He believes in the “rainbow gathering” of humanity and the triumph of justice over the “deep and lasting wound” of apartheid. While Lencho relies on a higher power, Mandela relies on the resilience of the human spirit, viewing courage not as the absence of fear but as the triumph over it. Ultimately, Lencho’s faith sustains his survival, while Mandela’s faith secures a nation’s freedom.
Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract
(A) The house- the only one in the entire valley -sat on the crest of a low hill. From this height one could see the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers that always promised a good harvest. The only thing the earth needed was a good downpour or at least a shower. Throughout the morning Lencho -who knew his fields intimately- had done nothing but see the sky towards the north-east.
i Based on the detail of the house’s location, how can it best be described?
a) majestic
b) imposing
c) solitary
d) unique
Answer: c) solitary
ii The field of corn dotted with flowers means that
a) not a single flower was bigger than a dot
b) the flowers were scattered across.
c) the flowers were in shaped like dots.
d) the flowers had shrunk in size.
Answer: b) the flowers were scattered across
iii) Which quote supports the idea in the given extract?
a) “Farming is a profession of hope.”
b) “I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.”
c) “Farming looks mighty easy when your plough is a pencil, and you’re a
thousand miles from the corn field.”
d) “Those too lazy to plough in the right season will have no food at the
harvest.”
Answer: a) “Farming is a profession of hope.”
