The short story “A Letter to God” by Gregorio López y Fuentes is a touching narrative that highlights faith, hope, and human kindness. The story revolves around Lencho, a poor farmer whose unwavering faith in God leads him to write a letter asking for divine assistance after a hailstorm destroys his crops. However, an unexpected twist occurs when Lencho becomes angry after receiving the money he requested. This raises an important question: Why did Lencho become angry when he counted the money? Let’s explore the reasons behind Lencho’s reaction and its deeper significance.
1. Lencho’s Faith in God’s Generosity
Lencho had unshakable faith in God. After the hailstorm ruined his crops, leaving his family on the brink of starvation, he was confident that God would help him. This confidence was so strong that instead of begging his neighbors or giving in to despair, he wrote a letter to God, asking for one hundred pesos—an amount he believed was enough to replant his fields and sustain his family until the next harvest.
Lencho believed that God knew exactly what he needed and would not fail him. His faith was absolute; in his mind, God’s help would be complete and perfect, just as he had asked.
2. The Shortfall in the Amount Received
The postmaster, touched by Lencho’s faith, decided to help him by collecting money from the postal staff and contributing a part of his own salary. However, despite their best efforts, they could only gather seventy pesos—thirty pesos short of what Lencho had requested.
When Lencho received the envelope with the money, he was not surprised because he truly believed that God had answered his letter. However, upon counting the money, he realized that the amount was less than what he had asked for. Instead of feeling grateful for receiving most of the amount, Lencho became angry.
3. Why Did Lencho Become Angry?
Lencho’s anger stemmed from his complete trust in God’s generosity. According to him, God could never make a mistake, nor would God send him less money than he needed. Since Lencho was certain that God had sent the full amount, he concluded that the post office employees must have stolen the missing thirty pesos.
This reaction shows that Lencho’s faith in God was so absolute that he could not imagine any flaw in divine assistance. Instead of questioning God, he blamed humans for the shortfall. His anger, therefore, was not directed at God but at what he believed was human dishonesty.
4. The Irony of Lencho’s Anger
The most ironic part of the story is that the very people Lencho suspected of stealing the money were the ones who had helped him. The postmaster and his colleagues, moved by Lencho’s faith, had collected the money to help him anonymously. Yet, Lencho mistrusted them, believing they had taken a portion of what God had sent.
This irony highlights a key theme in the story: Lencho’s blind faith in divine power but lack of faith in human goodness. While his belief in God remained unshaken, he could not believe that people around him could be equally generous.
5. Lencho’s Second Letter to God
Lencho’s anger pushed him to write a second letter to God, in which he expressed his frustration. In the letter, he 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 second letter reveals the depth of Lencho’s misunderstanding. He failed to see that humans were the instruments of God’s help, and his suspicion of the post office employees adds a layer of tragic irony to the story.
6. The Deeper Message Behind Lencho’s Anger
Lencho’s anger after counting the money carries a profound message about faith, trust, and human nature. While faith in a higher power is admirable, the story suggests that divine help often comes through human hands. Lencho’s inability to recognize human kindness reflects a flaw in his understanding of how the world works.
Moreover, the story raises an interesting question: Can faith be complete without trust in fellow human beings? Lencho’s anger shows that his faith, while pure, was also limited because it did not extend to believing in the goodness of others.
Conclusion
Lencho became angry when he counted the money because he believed God had sent the full amount he requested, and the missing thirty pesos must have been stolen by the post office employees. His reaction stemmed from his absolute faith in God’s generosity and his distrust of human nature.
This ironic twist is what makes “A Letter to God” such a powerful story. It teaches readers that while faith in the divine is essential, one should also recognize and appreciate human kindness. Sometimes, God’s help comes through the hands of others, and acknowledging this truth 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.
