A Letter to God

Chapter Overview

"A Letter to God" by Mexican writer Gregorio Lopez y Fuentes is a touching and ironic narrative centered on Lencho, a dedicated, hardworking farmer who lives with his family in a solitary house on the crest of a low hill. After patiently waiting for rain, a sudden hailstorm mercilessly ravages his flourishing cornfields, leaving the fields white as if covered with salt and destroying the entire year's harvest.

Convinced that no one dies of hunger because God's eyes see everything, Lencho writes an earnest letter addressed simply "To God", pleading for 100 pesos to re-sow his fields and feed his family.When the letter reaches the town post office, the postman and the large - hearted, amiable postmaster are struck by the peasant's immense spiritual conviction. Rather than allowing his faith to be shattered, the postmaster coordinates a collective charity effort, rallying postal employees and donating a portion of his own salary to gather 70 pesos, signing the envelope simply "God."

The climax delivers masterclass dramatic irony. Upon opening the envelope, Lencho is not surprised to find money-so absolute is his belief-but becomes furious upon finding only 70 pesos, confident that God could never make a mistake. He immediately writes a second letter imploring God to send the remaining 30 pesos directly and not through the mail, denouncing the compassionate postal staff as a "bunch of crooks." The story highlights Communication and Collaboration, Unshakable Faith, and Human Kindness, demonstrating how altruism often operates without worldly recognition.