A Letter to God (Study Questions)

By G.L. Fuentes

G.L. Fuentes, a renowned Spanish writer, is best known for his literary works that reflect the socio-political landscape of Spain. His writing often delves into themes of war, human suffering, and the resilience of the human spirit, influenced by the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath. Fuentes has a distinctive narrative style marked by realism and emotional depth, which captivates readers and provides insight into the struggles of ordinary people. His notable works, though fewer in number, are celebrated for their ability to evoke empathy and understanding through poignant storytelling.

“A Letter to God” is a short story by  Fuentes that portrays the unwavering faith of a poor farmer named Lencho. After his crops are destroyed by a hailstorm, Lencho writes a letter to God asking for money to survive. The postmaster, moved by Lencho’s faith, collects money from his colleagues and sends it to him, but Lencho, believing the amount is incomplete, accuses the postal employees of theft. The story highlights themes of faith, innocence, and the irony of human nature, showcasing a deep contrast between divine faith and worldly distrust.

Q: What did Lencho hope for?

Ans. Lencho hoped that the hailstorm might pass quickly without doing much damage to his cornfield. Just as the rain was nourishing for the corn, the hailstorm was destructive for it in equal measures.

Q: Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like ‘new coins’?

Ans. The raindrops were like new coins for them because they would enhance the yield of their cornfield. More yield meant more money. This was the reason Lencho called the raindrops ‘new coins’, the big drops worth ten cent pieces, and the little ones five cent pieces.

Q: How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho’s fields?

Ans. A strong wind suddenly started to blow and along with rain, very large hailstones began to fall. Lencho had hoped that it would pass quickly but the hailstones continued to fall for one hour. Lencho’s field had become white as if covered with salt and his corn was destroyed.

Q: What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped?

Ans. Lencho was heartbroken at the sad spectacle of his field. He told his sons that even a plague of locusts would have left more than this storm. He lamented the fact that all his hard work went in vain and they probably would go hungry that year.

Q: Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?

Ans. Lencho had unflinching faith in God. He believed that God sees everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience. With this belief, he wrote a letter which was nothing less than a letter to God and dropped it in the mailbox by himself.

Q: Who did read the letter?

Ans. One of the postmen who worked in the post office was surprised by the address written on the letter. He had never seen a letter addressed to God in his whole life. He took the letter to the postmaster who also laughed at it but at the same time impressed by the faith shown by the man. The postmaster decided to answer the letter. He opened the letter and read it.

Q: What did the postmaster do after reading the letter?

Ans. The postmaster was a kind-hearted man and he was much impressed by the faith of the man. He did not want to shake the faith of this simple farmer. Therefore, after reading the letter, he decided to help the farmer. He collected money from his employees, he gave a part of his salary, and several of his friends also gave something as an act of charity.

Q: Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?

Ans. No, Lencho was not at all surprised when he found a letter with money in it. He had such confidence and unwavering faith in God that he believed that it was a letter from God.

Q: What made him angry?

Ans. When Lencho opened the letter, he found 70 pesos collected by the postmaster. He became angry when he counted the money because he had asked for 100 pesos. He believed that God could not have made such a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested.

Q; Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this?

Ans. Lencho had unflinching faith in God. Even in the face of utter disaster, his faith did not shake. He said to his family; “Don’t be so upset, even though this seems like a total loss. Remember, no one dies of hunger”. “That’s what they say: no one dies of hunger”. All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope: the help of God.

Q: Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’?

The postmaster was a kind-hearted and God-fearing man. He did not want Lencho to lose his faith in God. Therefore, he decided to collect money for him and send it to him. He signed the letter ‘God’ so that he might think that God had answered his letter and his request therein.

Q: Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not?

Ans. Lencho did not try to find out who had sent money to him because he believed that God had answered his letter and sent him the money he had asked for. He did not have the slightest of doubts that it was someone else who wrote him the letter and sent him the money.

Q: Who does Lencho think has taken the rest of the money? What is the irony in the
situation?

Ans. Lencho thought that the people at the post office had taken the rest of his money. The situation is quite ironic in the sense that it was them who had arranged 70 pesos for Lencho and sent him. Lencho was accusing the very same people who had shown sympathy towards him and helped him of taking his money and calling them crooks.

Q: Are there people like Lencho in the real world? What kind of a person would you
say he is?

Ans. The people like Lencho are very rare in the real world. It is very difficult to find people like Lencho who have such unquestioning faith in God. He is very naive and his naivety is evident from the letter he addressed to God.

Q: There are two kinds of conflicts in the story: between humans and nature, and between humans themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated?

Ans. The story uses these two conflicts to explore themes of faith, trust, and the human condition. The conflict between humans and nature is portrayed through the destructive power of the hailstorm and its impact on Lencho’s life. It is depicted that man is powerless before the forces of nature. The conflict between humans themselves is illustrated through Lencho’s interactions with the post office employees, showcasing the misunderstandings and mistrust that can arise even in acts of goodwill.