The short story “A Letter to God” by Gregorio López y Fuentes is a touching tale of faith, hope, and human resilience. It revolves around Lencho, a poor farmer who depends entirely on his crops for survival. When a devastating hailstorm destroys his entire harvest, Lencho turns to the one source he believes will not fail him—God. This leads him to write his first letter to God, a significant part of the story that reveals his unwavering faith and desperation. But what exactly did Lencho write in his first letter, and why did he feel compelled to write it? Let’s explore these questions in detail.
1. The Situation That Prompted Lencho’s Letter
Lencho lived with his family on a modest farm, relying solely on agriculture for his livelihood. After months of hard work preparing his corn and bean crops, he was eagerly waiting for rainfall, which was essential for a good harvest. The rain finally arrived, and Lencho was overjoyed. He even compared the raindrops to “new coins”, believing that the rain would bring him prosperity.
However, Lencho’s joy was short-lived. The rain quickly turned into a destructive hailstorm, completely ruining his crops. The hail destroyed everything, leaving no food or money for Lencho and his family. With no one else to turn to and no means of survival, Lencho made a decision that reflects his absolute faith: he wrote a letter to God.
2. What Did Lencho Write in His First Letter?
In his first letter to God, Lencho directly expressed his need for financial help. He wrote:
“God: If you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year. I need a hundred pesos to sow my field again and to live until the crop comes, because the hailstorm destroyed everything.”
This simple yet powerful letter reveals a lot about Lencho’s character and circumstances:
- He explained his situation clearly, stating that the hailstorm had left him with nothing.
- He asked for a specific amount—one hundred pesos—because he believed this was exactly what he needed to recover.
- His tone was respectful yet confident, showing that he believed God would help him without question.
3. Why Did Lencho Write His First Letter to God?
a) Unshakable Faith in God
The primary reason Lencho wrote the letter was his unwavering faith. He believed that God could see everything and would not abandon a hardworking man who had always trusted in divine power. For Lencho, God was not distant; instead, he believed that God was approachable and would provide exactly what he needed.
b) Lack of Other Options
Lencho was a poor farmer with no access to credit, loans, or community help. The letter reflects his desperation—he saw God as his only hope. Instead of asking neighbors for help, Lencho turned directly to a higher power, showing his belief that divine assistance would be more reliable than human help.
c) Belief in Divine Justice
Lencho believed that hard work deserves reward, and he considered the hailstorm’s destruction unfair. His belief in divine justice made him confident that God would correct this wrong by sending him the money he needed. The letter was his way of claiming what he believed was rightfully his—help from a just and generous God.
4. Lencho’s Confidence in Receiving Help
Interestingly, Lencho’s letter to God wasn’t written with doubt or hesitation. He wrote it with complete confidence, as though he were certain of receiving a response. His actions after writing the letter also show this belief. He personally went to the post office, bought a stamp, and posted the letter, convinced that God would read it and send help.
This confidence sets Lencho apart and makes his story so unique and touching. His simple faith teaches readers about the power of belief, even in the most difficult times.
5. The Deeper Significance of Lencho’s First Letter
Lencho’s first letter represents more than just a plea for help. It reflects:
- Human dependence on faith during times of crisis.
- The innocence and purity of belief that trusts in a higher power without question.
- The relationship between humans and the divine, where prayer and requests are seen as direct communication.
Lencho’s letter also sets the stage for the ironic twist in the story. The postmaster, moved by Lencho’s faith, collected money to help him. However, they could only gather seventy pesos. This leads to Lencho’s second letter, where he accuses the post office employees of theft, still believing that God had sent the full amount.
6. Lessons from Lencho’s First Letter
Lencho’s first letter to God teaches us several important lessons:
- Faith gives strength: Lencho’s belief in God kept him hopeful even after losing everything.
- Simplicity in belief: Sometimes, faith doesn’t require complex reasoning. Lencho believed, and that belief was enough.
- Hope in adversity: Even in the face of total loss, Lencho found a reason to hope.
Conclusion
Lencho’s first letter to God was a plea born out of desperation, but it was also a testament to his unwavering faith. In the letter, he asked God for one hundred pesos, believing this amount would help him replant his fields and sustain his family.
Lencho wrote the letter because he had no one else to turn to and because he believed that God would not fail him. His simple faith, confidence, and optimism make him a memorable character, and his letter serves as a symbol of hope and belief in the goodness of the divine. The story ultimately reminds readers that sometimes, faith can move mountains, and that belief, even when seemingly naive, holds immense power.
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.
