The short story “A Letter to God” by Gregorio López y Fuentes is a heartwarming narrative that explores themes of faith, hope, and human kindness. The protagonist, Lencho, a poor farmer, is portrayed as a man of unshakable faith in God. After a devastating hailstorm destroys his crops, Lencho writes a letter to God asking for help. However, despite receiving assistance, Lencho becomes angry—a reaction that adds an ironic twist to the story.
But why was Lencho angry, and what did he do as a result? Let’s explore the reasons behind Lencho’s anger and the actions he took that reveal his unique perspective on faith, trust, and human nature.
1. The Reason Behind Lencho’s Anger
a) Shortfall in the Amount Received
Lencho’s anger arose when he counted the money he received after writing to God. In his letter, he had asked God for one hundred pesos, the amount he believed was necessary to:
- Replant his fields destroyed by the hailstorm.
- Support his family until the next harvest.
However, when Lencho opened the envelope, he found only seventy pesos instead of the requested hundred. This shortfall of thirty pesos left Lencho feeling betrayed and angry.
b) Lencho’s Unshakable Faith in God’s Perfection
Lencho had complete and unquestioning faith in God. He believed that God would never make a mistake and would always send exactly what was needed. In Lencho’s eyes, God was all-knowing, generous, and perfect. Therefore, the idea that God might have sent him less than he asked for was impossible.
Since Lencho could not accept that God would send an incomplete amount, he concluded that the missing money must have been stolen. His anger, therefore, was not directed at God but at the people he believed had taken the money.
c) Distrust of Human Beings
Lencho’s blind faith in divine goodness was matched by his deep mistrust of human nature. He believed that while God was perfect and just, human beings were dishonest. This belief led him to blame the postal employees for the missing thirty pesos.
Ironically, Lencho did not realize that the very people he accused of theft were the ones who had helped him. The postmaster and his colleagues, touched by Lencho’s faith, had collected the seventy pesos out of their own pockets. Yet, Lencho’s inability to believe in human goodness led him to suspect them of wrongdoing.
2. What Did Lencho Do After Becoming Angry?
a) Wrote a Second Letter to God
Lencho’s response to his anger was both simple and profound—he wrote a second letter to God. In this letter, Lencho complained about the missing thirty pesos and asked God to send the remaining amount. His faith in God remained unshaken, but his distrust of humans became even more evident.
In the second letter, 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 is central to the irony of the story. Lencho, who believed God had sent the money, could not fathom that human beings could be instruments of God’s help. His accusation against the postal employees—the very people who had helped him—adds a layer of humor and tragedy to the narrative.
b) Displayed His Unwavering Faith
Despite his anger, Lencho’s actions reveal his unwavering faith in divine justice. Instead of confronting the post office employees or expressing gratitude for the amount he received, he chose to communicate directly with God again, confident that God would correct the mistake.
This shows that while Lencho may have been naïve, his faith in divine benevolence gave him the strength to hope and believe in a better future, even after losing everything.
3. The Irony of Lencho’s Anger
The most significant aspect of Lencho’s anger lies in its irony:
- The very people he accused of theft were his benefactors. The postmaster and postal employees had collected the seventy pesos out of kindness, wanting to preserve Lencho’s faith in God.
- Lencho trusted God completely but mistrusted his fellow humans. This contrast reveals how faith in the divine can sometimes lead people to overlook the goodness of those around them.
This ironic twist is what makes “A Letter to God” such a memorable and thought-provoking story. It leaves readers reflecting on the complex relationship between faith, trust, and human nature.
4. The Broader Message Behind Lencho’s Reaction
Lencho’s anger and subsequent actions convey several important lessons:
- Faith can inspire hope, but it should also be balanced with trust in humanity.
- Sometimes, divine help comes through human hands; recognizing and appreciating this truth is essential.
- Kindness doesn’t always receive recognition, but it still makes a difference.
Conclusion
Lencho became angry because the money he received after writing to God was less than the amount he had requested. His absolute faith in God’s perfection made him believe that God would not send an incomplete amount. As a result, he blamed the post office employees, believing they had stolen part of the money.
To address this perceived injustice, Lencho wrote a second letter to God, asking for the remaining thirty pesos and urging God not to send it through the mail because he believed the postal workers were dishonest.
This ironic conclusion adds depth to the story, highlighting Lencho’s innocence, faith, and mistrust of human nature. Ultimately, “A Letter to God” teaches readers that while faith in divine power is admirable, recognizing the goodness and kindness of fellow human beings is equally important.
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.
