Overview:

“A Letter to God” is a touching short story by Gregorio López y Fuentes, a Mexican author known for portraying rural life and social issues. The story highlights a poor farmer’s unshakable faith in God and delivers a powerful message about hope, trust, and irony.

Plot Summary:

The story revolves around Lencho, a hardworking farmer who depends entirely on his crops for survival. When a severe hailstorm destroys his entire harvest, Lencho becomes desperate but not hopeless. He writes a letter directly to God, asking for 100 pesos to sustain his family.

Moved by his faith, the postmaster and postal employees secretly collect money and send it to Lencho—though they manage only 70 pesos. Lencho, on receiving the money, is not grateful. Instead, he becomes angry, believing that God sent the full amount but the post office employees must have stolen the rest. Ironically, he writes another letter asking God not to send the money through the “bunch of crooks” at the post office.

Themes:

• Faith and Innocence: Lencho’s deep trust in God shows the strength of blind faith.

• Humanity and Kindness: The postmaster’s actions show empathy and solidarity.

• Irony: The biggest twist lies in Lencho’s misjudgment—he doubts the very people who helped him.

• Rural Hardship: The story reflects the vulnerability of farmers dependent on nature.

Characters:

• Lencho: A poor but optimistic farmer, deeply religious.

• Postmaster: Kind-hearted and generous; he’s touched by Lencho’s faith.

• God (symbolically): Represents hope and belief in a higher power.

Moral:

Faith can move hearts, but blind trust without understanding can lead to irony and misunderstanding. The story teaches us about belief, gratitude, and the unseen kindness of others.