The short story “A Letter to God” by Gregorio López y Fuentes is a powerful tale that explores themes of faith, hope, and human kindness. At the center of the story is Lencho, a poor farmer whose entire livelihood depends on his crops. After a devastating hailstorm destroys his harvest, Lencho writes a heartfelt letter to God, asking for financial help. The letter reaches the postmaster, who plays a crucial role in the story’s development. But why and how did the postmaster help Lencho? Let’s explore the reasons and actions that reveal the postmaster’s compassion and the irony of human nature.
1. Why Did the Postmaster Help Lencho?
a) Moved by Lencho’s Faith
The postmaster was deeply touched by Lencho’s unshakable faith in God. When he first read the letter addressed to God, he laughed at the idea. However, upon realizing Lencho’s genuine belief, his laughter turned into admiration. The postmaster recognized that such faith was rare—to believe so completely that God would send help. He was inspired by this pure conviction and decided to respond in a way that would preserve Lencho’s faith.
b) To Avoid Shattering Lencho’s Belief
The postmaster believed that faith gives strength. He realized that if Lencho did not receive a response, his trust in God might be broken. The story highlights the postmaster’s humanity—he did not want a poor farmer’s last hope to be crushed. By helping Lencho, he was protecting Lencho’s belief system, something that gave the farmer the courage to survive in difficult times.
c) An Act of Kindness and Generosity
Apart from preserving Lencho’s faith, the postmaster’s actions also stemmed from genuine compassion. He felt sympathy for a man who had lost everything. Helping Lencho wasn’t part of his duty; it was a personal choice driven by a desire to do something good. His decision reflects how small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on someone’s life.
2. How Did the Postmaster Help Lencho?
a) Deciding to Respond to the Letter
Upon reading Lencho’s letter, in which the farmer requested one hundred pesos to recover from his loss, the postmaster decided to answer the letter. His primary motivation was to ensure that Lencho’s faith remained intact. He knew that a reply from “God” would give Lencho the hope and strength to keep going.
b) Collecting Money for Lencho
The postmaster could not fulfill Lencho’s entire request on his own. However, he did not give up. He asked his colleagues at the post office for contributions and also donated a part of his own salary. This effort shows the power of collective goodwill. The employees, moved by Lencho’s faith and the postmaster’s determination, contributed what they could.
In the end, they managed to collect seventy pesos, which, although less than the hundred Lencho had asked for, was still a significant amount given their modest means. This act demonstrated selflessness and community spirit.
c) Sending the Money Anonymously
The postmaster wanted Lencho to believe that the money had indeed come from God, as Lencho had requested. Therefore, he placed the money in an envelope and signed it “God”. This thoughtful gesture shows the postmaster’s sensitivity to Lencho’s beliefs. He did not want Lencho to think that the help had come from anyone else, as that would undermine Lencho’s pure faith in divine assistance.
3. The Irony in the Postmaster’s Help
The most ironic twist in the story occurs when Lencho receives the money. Instead of being grateful, Lencho becomes angry after counting it. He believed that God would never send him less than what he needed. Since only seventy pesos arrived instead of the requested one hundred pesos, Lencho concluded that the post office employees had stolen the rest.
In his second letter to God, Lencho wrote:
“Send me the rest of the money, but don’t send it through the mail, because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks.”
This irony is the essence of the story. The very people Lencho accused of stealing were the ones who had helped him. The postmaster, who worked tirelessly to collect the money, was now being wrongly blamed. This twist highlights the complexities of human nature, where faith in the divine can sometimes overshadow trust in fellow human beings.
4. The Broader Message of the Postmaster’s Actions
The postmaster’s help represents the goodness in humanity. His actions teach us that:
- Small acts of kindness matter: The postmaster’s decision to help Lencho restored hope in a man who had lost everything.
- Faith should be complemented by trust in humanity: While Lencho’s faith in God was admirable, the story suggests that divine help often comes through human hands.
- Compassion requires no recognition: The postmaster did not seek thanks or acknowledgment. His help was genuine and selfless.
Conclusion
The postmaster helped Lencho because he was moved by the farmer’s deep faith and wanted to ensure that this faith remained unbroken. His actions were driven by compassion, empathy, and a sense of human responsibility. The postmaster collected seventy pesos with the help of his colleagues and sent it anonymously, signing the letter as “God” to preserve Lencho’s belief.
However, the story’s ironic twist—where Lencho accused the very people who helped him—adds depth to the narrative. It shows that while faith in a higher power is essential, trust in human kindness is equally important. The postmaster’s efforts highlight that acts of goodness, no matter how small, can restore hope in someone’s life.
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.
