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I. Chapter Summary

“A Letter to God” by Gregorio López y Fuentes is a poignant story that revolves around Lencho, a poor farmer who depends entirely on his crops for survival. When a hailstorm destroys his only source of income, he writes a letter addressed to God, seeking 100 pesos to survive. The postmaster, moved by Lencho’s faith, collects money from his colleagues and sends it anonymously. Lencho receives the money but becomes angry upon finding only 70 pesos, suspecting the post office employees of theft. The story ends with a powerful irony that underscores innocent faith, blind trust, and misunderstood intentions.

II. Key Concepts Covered

Concept	Explanation
Faith in God	Lencho’s unwavering belief that God will help him.
Irony	Lencho doubts the helpers who actually supported him.
Human Kindness	Postmaster and others contribute to help a stranger.
Rural Hardship	Depicts the vulnerability of farmers and their dependence on nature.
Miscommunication	Good intentions are misunderstood due to lack of clarity and suspicion.

III. Important Questions

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

1. What did Lencho hope for?
   • a) A new house
   • b) Rain for his crops
   • c) A job in the city
   • d) A visit from his son
   • Answer: b) Rain for his crops
2. What destroyed Lencho’s crop?
   • a) Flood
   • b) Earthquake
   • c) Hailstorm
   • d) Locusts
   • Answer: c) Hailstorm
3. How much money did Lencho request from God?
   • a) 100 pesos
   • b) 50 pesos
   • c) 70 pesos
   • d) 90 pesos
   • Answer: a) 100 pesos
4. Who actually collected and sent the money?
   • a) Lencho’s relatives
   • b) His neighbors
   • c) The villagers
   • d) Post office employees
   • Answer: d) Post office employees

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks)

1. Why did Lencho write a letter to God? (PYQ – 2020)
2. What was the reaction of the postmaster after reading the letter? (PYQ – 2019)
3. Why did Lencho call the post office employees “a bunch of crooks”?
4. How did the hailstorm affect Lencho’s livelihood?

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

1. How does the story depict both strong faith and human kindness? (PYQ – 2021)
2. Explain the irony in the story A Letter to God.
3. Describe Lencho’s character traits based on the story.
4. How does the author use the setting to reflect the emotional situation of the characters?

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

1. If Lencho had known the truth, how do you think he would have reacted?
2. Is blind faith a strength or a weakness? Justify your view with reference to Lencho’s story.

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts

Though this is a prose chapter, key literary devices and definitions include:

• Irony: When Lencho suspects those who actually helped him.
• Theme: Faith in divine power vs. faith in humanity.
• Setting: A rural Mexican village that symbolizes vulnerability and resilience.
• Tone: Compassionate and ironic.
• Symbolism: The letter represents hope, and the storm represents helplessness.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026)

No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks (2025–26).

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026)

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
A Letter to God	6–8 marks	MCQs, Short Answer, Long Answer, HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Year	Marks	Question
2019	3	How did the postmaster respond to Lencho’s faith?
2020	2	Why did Lencho write a letter to God?
2021	5	How does the story show a contrast between divine faith and real human kindness?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples

• Philanthropy: Highlights anonymous giving and the selflessness behind acts of kindness.
• Faith and Society: Shows how faith can be both powerful and misdirected.
• Community Support: Demonstrates how small contributions from many can have a big impact.
• Communication Ethics: Misinterpretation of kindness is common even in real-world social work.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success

Time Management

• Allocate 10–15 minutes weekly to revise chapter events and key values.
• Practice writing brief summaries to improve comprehension.

Exam Preparation

• Focus on irony, character sketch of Lencho, and themes of faith and kindness.
• Practice writing short notes and value-based questions from previous years.

Stress Management

• Discuss in group: “What would you do if you were the postmaster?” – builds empathy.
• Read similar real-life acts of kindness to feel inspired.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration

For Classes 9–10

Stream Overview:

• Science: Reflects observation, belief systems, and cause-effect understanding.
• Commerce: Teaches about values in business and financial responsibility.
• Arts: Explores human emotions, creative expression, and empathy.

Related Careers:

• Social Worker
• Ethics and Philosophy Educator
• Writer/Journalist
• Public Administrator

Foundation Exams:

• NTSE
• CBSE Reading Challenge
• Expression Series & Creative Writing Competitions

XI. Important Notes

• Always refer to ncert.nic.in and cbseacademic.nic.in for official updates.
• Conceptual clarity helps in writing analytical and value-based answers.
• Keep a “theme bank” for each chapter—faith, irony, kindness, etc.—to use in exams effectively.