The short story “A Letter to God” by Gregorio López y Fuentes is a moving tale that highlights unshakable faith, human kindness, and irony. The central character, Lencho, a poor farmer, relies entirely on his crops for survival. After a devastating hailstorm destroys his fields, Lencho writes a letter to God asking for financial help. Surprisingly, Lencho later writes a second letter to God, which adds a twist to the narrative.
But what led Lencho to write this second letter? Let’s explore the reasons behind this action and its deeper significance.
1. Lencho’s Unshakable Faith in God
Lencho’s life revolves around his farm. The hailstorm that destroyed his crops left him with nothing to feed his family. With no one else to turn to, Lencho wrote his first letter to God, asking for one hundred pesos. His request wasn’t out of greed but sheer necessity—he needed the money to replant his fields and sustain his family until the next harvest.
Lencho’s faith in God was absolute. He believed that God sees everything and would surely send him the exact amount he needed. For Lencho, God was the ultimate provider, and there was no doubt in his mind that his plea would be answered.
2. The Shortfall in the Amount Received
The postmaster, deeply moved by Lencho’s faith, decided to help him. He and his colleagues collected seventy pesos, which was still thirty pesos short of what Lencho had asked for. They sent this money to Lencho anonymously, hoping it would restore his faith in humanity and divine goodness.
However, when Lencho counted the money, he noticed that it was less than the amount he had requested. This realization angered him. Given his firm belief in God’s generosity, Lencho could not accept that God would send him anything less than the exact amount he needed.
3. Lencho’s Distrust of Human Beings
Lencho’s second letter stemmed from a misunderstanding. Since he believed that God could not make a mistake, the only logical explanation for the shortfall, in his mind, was that someone had stolen the missing money.
Unfortunately, Lencho suspected the postal employees—the very people who had come together to help him. In his eyes, God’s help was perfect, and any imperfection must be the result of human dishonesty. This highlights an ironic twist in the story: Lencho trusted God completely but had no faith in his fellow human beings.
4. The Content of Lencho’s Second Letter
In his second letter to God, Lencho wrote:
“God: Of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send me the rest, since I need it very much. But don’t send it through the mail because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks.”
This letter reveals two things about Lencho:
- His faith in divine power remained unshaken.
- His distrust of human beings was deep-rooted.
Lencho did not thank God for the seventy pesos he received; instead, he focused on the missing amount. His belief was so strong that he never doubted God, only the humans he believed had interfered with God’s plan.
5. The Irony and Deeper Meaning of the Second Letter
The irony in Lencho’s second letter is what makes “A Letter to God” such a memorable story. The post office employees, who selflessly collected money for Lencho, were the ones he accused of theft. They had hoped to restore his faith, yet their actions went unappreciated.
This irony delivers a powerful message about human nature:
- People like Lencho may have immense faith in a higher power but fail to recognize the goodness in people around them.
- Sometimes, divine help comes through human hands, and acknowledging this is equally important.
6. The Role of Faith and Misunderstanding
Lencho’s second letter also reveals how faith, while admirable, can sometimes be misguided. Lencho’s belief in God was so strong that he could not consider the possibility that the shortfall was due to limited human means, not dishonesty. His innocence and stubbornness made him blind to the kindness he had received.
This misunderstanding teaches readers that:
- While faith can give people strength, it should not blind them to the goodness of others.
- Gratitude and understanding are essential, even when one believes that help comes from a higher power.
Conclusion
Lencho wrote a second letter to God because he believed that God had sent the full one hundred pesos, but thirty pesos were stolen by the post office employees. His absolute faith in God’s perfection made it impossible for him to think otherwise. However, the ironic twist lies in the fact that those he accused were actually the ones who had helped him.
The story “A Letter to God” beautifully portrays the themes of faith, irony, and human kindness. Lencho’s second letter serves as a reminder that while belief in divine power is admirable, recognizing the goodness in fellow human beings is equally important. Sometimes, the help we seek from above comes from the hearts and hands of those around us—a truth Lencho sadly failed to see.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
