✦ Title: A Letter to God
✦ Author: Gregorio López Fuentes
✦ Central Theme:
The story highlights unshakeable faith in God, innocence, hope during
hardship, and the irony of human misunderstanding. It also explores how
belief can be both a source of strength and blind trust, while commenting on
human kindness and how intentions are sometimes misjudged.
✦ Summary:
The story begins with Lencho, a poor but hardworking farmer, who is anxiously
waiting for rain to water his crops. Eventually, it begins to rain, and Lencho
rejoices, calling the raindrops “new coins.” However, the weather turns
disastrous, and a hailstorm destroys his entire crop, leaving him devastated.
In his innocence and faith, Lencho writes a letter to God, asking for 100 pesos
to survive and sow again. He posts the letter, fully believing that God will help
him.
The postmaster and his staff are touched by Lencho’s deep faith. They collect
money among themselves and manage to gather 70 pesos, which they send to
Lencho in an envelope marked "God."
Lencho receives the money but becomes angry because he receives only part of
the amount. He believes that God sent the full amount, but the post office
employees must have stolen the rest. He writes another letter to God,
asking for the remaining 30 pesos, but also warning:
“Don’t send it through the mail — the post office employees are a bunch of
crooks.”
The story ends on an ironic note, revealing how faith, kindness, and
misunderstanding can coexist.
✦ Section-wise Explanation
➤ Lencho and the Rain
Lencho, a poor farmer, depends completely on his fields for survival. His hard
work gives him hope, and when it finally rains, he feels blessed. Watching the
raindrops fall, he compares them to “silver and gold coins,” believing they will
bring him prosperity. His faith in nature and God shines through his happiness at
that moment.
➤ Destruction by Hailstorm
Suddenly, the pleasant rain turns into a disastrous hailstorm. Huge pieces of ice
fall from the sky, destroying Lencho’s entire crop. By the end of the storm, not a
single plant is left standing, and his family faces starvation. Though heartbroken,
Lencho does not give up hope; instead, he looks towards God for help, proving
his unshaken trust in divine power.
➤ The Letter to God
Lencho’s simple faith drives him to write a letter to God, asking for 100 pesos.
He believes that only God can save him from starvation and help him re-sow his
fields. His innocence and honesty are reflected in the way he writes the letter
without hesitation, confident that God will surely respond. This moment shows
the purity of his belief in divine justice.
➤ The Postmaster’s Response
When the postmaster discovers the letter addressed to God, he is deeply
touched by Lencho’s extraordinary faith. To keep that faith alive, he decides to
help. With the help of his colleagues, he collects 70 pesos and puts it in an
envelope signed as “God.” His actions symbolize human kindness, compassion,
and the idea that people can act as God’s messengers on Earth.
➤ Lencho’s Reaction and the Irony
When Lencho receives the envelope, he is not surprised, as he fully trusts God to
answer his prayers. However, when he counts the money and finds only 70 pesos
instead of 100, he becomes angry. His blind faith makes him believe that God
has sent the full amount but the post office employees must have stolen the rest.
In his second letter, he asks God to send the remaining money directly, warning
not to use the post office again. The irony is that the very people he suspects are
the ones who helped him.
✦ Detailed Symbolism
Symbol Meaning / Significance
Rain / Raindrops Blessings, prosperity, God’s gift.
Destruction of hope, unexpected
Hailstorm
misfortune.
The Letter to God Pure, unquestioning faith.
The Postmaster Human kindness, God’s invisible helpers.
Answered prayers, though
Money in Envelope
misunderstood.
Lencho’s Second
Innocence and blind belief.
Letter
Post Office Silent doers of good, unrecognized
Workers angels.
✦ Character Sketches
✦ Lencho
A hardworking and dedicated farmer who lives by his fields.
Full of faith in God, never doubts divine help.
Innocent and naive, convinced only God can save him.
Emotionally honest — expresses joy, sadness, anger, and hope openly.
Ironically ungrateful, since he accuses his helpers of being thieves.
A true symbol of simple, unquestioning faith.
✦ The Postmaster
Kind-hearted and generous, moved by Lencho’s faith.
Sensitive and compassionate, wants to protect that faith.
A leader who inspires his staff to contribute.
Selfless — does not seek thanks or recognition for his act.
Represents the goodness of humanity and how people can act as God’s
messengers.
✦ Moral / Message
Faith is powerful and gives strength in difficult times.
God often works through people to answer prayers.
True kindness is selfless and may not always be recognized.
Innocence is beautiful but can also lead to misunderstanding.
Life is full of irony — Lencho’s faith is preserved, but he wrongly judges his
helpers.
