Class 10 English - KERALA
Prose: A Letter to God
A Letter to God by G.L. Fuentes is the opening prose piece in the Class 10 Kerala SCERT English textbook. It tells the moving story of Lencho, a hardworking farmer whose crops are completely destroyed by a devastating hailstorm. With unwavering faith in God, Lencho writes a letter asking for a hundred pesos to survive and resow his fields. The chapter explores themes of blind faith, human kindness, and irony, as the post office employees secretly collect money to help him. For board exams, questions often focus on Lencho's character, the irony in the ending, and comprehension passages.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Unshakable Faith
Lencho possesses a deep, childlike belief that God is all-seeing and that His help is always available, even in the direst crises.
Irony of the Ending
The dramatic twist where Lencho calls the helpful post office employees a 'bunch of crooks' because he suspects they stole part of the money sent by God.
Human Empathy and Generosity
The postmaster and his staff demonstrate true charity by giving a part of their salary anonymously to keep Lencho's faith alive.
Destructive Power of Nature
The sudden hailstorm ruins a promising harvest in minutes, highlighting the helplessness of farmers against unpredictable weather patterns.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Kerala SCERT Class 10 English board exams, this chapter frequently features in reading comprehension (extract-based questions) and paragraph-response questions carrying 4 to 6 marks. Students are commonly tested on character traits of Lencho and the postmaster, and the significance of the story's ironic conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Lencho write a letter to God?
Lencho wrote a letter to God because his entire corn crop was destroyed by a severe hailstorm, and he needed a hundred pesos to feed his family and resow his fields.
Why did Lencho call the post office employees a 'bunch of crooks'?
Lencho believed that God had sent him the full amount he asked for, so he assumed the post office staff stole the missing thirty pesos.
What is the main theme of 'A Letter to God'?
The main theme is the power of absolute faith in God, contrasted with human kindness, helpfulness, and unexpected irony.
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