CBSE Class 10 English First Flight: A Letter to God NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'A Letter to God,' from CBSE Class 10 English (First Flight) explores themes of faith, hope, and the complexities of human nature. The NCERT Solutions delve into Lencho's unwavering belief in God, even after a devastating hailstorm destroys his crops. The solutions guide students through understanding Lencho's hopes for rain, his reaction to the storm, and his subsequent letter to God. They also examine the role of the postmaster and his colleagues in responding to Lencho's plea. These solutions provide clear explanations and detailed answers to all questions, aiding students in comprehending the narrative's nuances and preparing effectively for their exams.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectFirst Flight
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter1. A Letter to God

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 10 English (First Flight) Chapter 1, 'A Letter to God,' cover the story of Lencho, a farmer who writes a letter to God asking for financial help after his crops are destroyed by a hailstorm. The solutions focus on understanding Lencho's faith, his interactions with the post office staff, and the story's underlying messages about belief and human kindness. They address comprehension questions about the plot, characters, and themes, offering detailed explanations for each query.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand Lencho's deep faith in God.
  • Analyze the impact of the hailstorm on Lencho's crops and livelihood.
  • Explain the significance of the 'new coins' metaphor.
  • Describe the postmaster's reaction and actions.
  • Evaluate Lencho's response to receiving the money.
  • Identify the key themes of faith, hope, and irony in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Lencho's faith in God
  • The hailstorm and crop destruction
  • The metaphor of 'new coins'
  • Lencho's letter to God
  • The postmaster's role
  • Human kindness and irony
  • Character analysis of Lencho
  • Themes of hope and despair

Important topics

  • Lencho's unwavering faith
  • The impact of the hailstorm
  • The postmaster's actions
  • The story's central irony
  • Understanding Lencho's perspective

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Questions and Solutions

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 1

What did Lencho hope for?
Solution: Lencho was a farmer whose crops were ready for harvest. He was eagerly looking forward to the rain, as he knew that good rainfall would lead to a much better yield from his fields. This improved harvest was crucial for him to be able to feed his family throughout the year.

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 2

Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like 'new coins'?
Solution: Lencho referred to the raindrops as 'new coins' because they represented prosperity and a good future for him and his family. The larger drops were like 'new coins' (5 cents or 50 paisa), and the smaller ones were like 'pennies' (1 cent or 10 paisa). This comparison highlights his hope that the rain would bring him a bountiful harvest and financial gain.

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 3

How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho's fields?
Solution: Initially, the rain was beneficial, but it soon turned severe. A strong wind began to blow, and along with it came large hailstones. This devastating hailstorm continued for a long time, completely destroying all the crops in Lencho's fields. Not a single leaf or flower remained on the plants.

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 4

What were Lencho's feelings when the hail stopped?
Solution: When the hail finally stopped, Lencho was filled with deep sadness and despair. He stood in the middle of his field and surveyed the destruction. His heart felt heavy as he saw that not even a leaf remained on the trees and the entire crop was ruined. He was worried about his family's survival, as they would have no food to eat for the entire year.

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 1

Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?
Solution: Lencho had absolute faith in God. He believed that God sees everything and knows what is right. After his crops were destroyed, he decided to seek help directly from God. He wrote a letter to God, explaining his predicament and requesting 100 pesos to re-sow his fields and sustain his family until the next harvest.

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 2

Who read the letter?
Solution: The letter, which was addressed to God, was opened and read by the postmaster at the post office.

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 3

What did the postmaster do then?
Solution: The postmaster was deeply impressed and moved by Lencho's profound faith in God. He did not want to disappoint Lencho or shake his belief. Therefore, he decided to help Lencho by collecting money. He contributed a part of his salary and also asked his colleagues to contribute whatever they could, so that they could send the money to Lencho.

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 1

Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?
Solution: No, Lencho was not surprised at all when he found a letter containing money. His faith in God was so strong that he had expected God to respond and send him the money he had asked for. He considered it a normal response from God.

Oral Comprehension Check - Question 2

What made him angry?
Solution: Lencho became angry when he counted the money inside the letter and found that it contained only seventy pesos, not the hundred pesos he had demanded. He was certain that God could not have made such a mistake or intentionally denied him the full amount. Therefore, he concluded that the post office employees must have taken the remaining thirty pesos.

Thinking about the Text - Question 1

Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this?
Solution: Lencho has complete and unwavering faith in God. Several sentences in the story highlight this profound belief:
  1. "But in the hearts of all who lived in that solitary house in the middle of the valley, there was a single hope: help from God." This shows that even though he was alone, his hope was solely in God.
  2. "All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope: the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been instructed, see everything, even what is deep in one's conscience." This indicates his constant thought and reliance on God's omniscience and help.
  3. "'God,' he wrote, 'if you don't help me, my family and I will go hungry this year.'" This direct plea demonstrates his belief that God is the ultimate provider and can solve his dire situation.
  4. "He wrote 'To God' on the envelope, put the letter inside and, still troubled, went to town." Addressing the letter directly to God shows his conviction that God would receive and act upon it.
  5. "God could not have made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested." This statement reveals his absolute certainty in God's capability and willingness to help exactly as requested.
  6. "It said: 'God: of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send me the...'" This part of his second letter shows his continued faith, believing God would send the rest, while blaming humans for the shortfall.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting Lencho's anger as a lack of faith.
  • Underestimating the importance of the postmaster's kindness.
  • Failing to recognize the irony in Lencho's final thoughts.
  • Confusing the literal meaning with the symbolic meaning of the 'new coins'.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story, paying close attention to Lencho's thoughts and feelings.
  • Summarize the plot in your own words to check comprehension.
  • Identify and list the instances that demonstrate Lencho's faith.
  • Discuss the story's themes with classmates to gain different perspectives.
  • Practice answering the 'Thinking about the Text' questions thoroughly.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What did Lencho primarily hope for at the beginning of the story?

Q2. Why did Lencho compare the raindrops to 'new coins'?

Q3. What happened to Lencho's fields during the hailstorm?

Q4. Who read Lencho's letter to God first?

Q5. How much money did Lencho receive from the post office?

Q6. What was Lencho's reaction upon finding less money than he asked for?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'A Letter to God'?

The main themes are unwavering faith in God, the power of hope, and the irony of human nature, as seen in the postmaster's kindness and Lencho's suspicion.

Why did Lencho write a letter to God?

Lencho wrote a letter to God because his entire crop was destroyed by a hailstorm, and he needed money to sow his fields again and support his family.

How did the postmaster help Lencho?

The postmaster, moved by Lencho's faith, collected money from his colleagues and himself to send to Lencho, ensuring Lencho's faith in God was not shaken.

Was Lencho satisfied with the money he received?

No, Lencho was not satisfied. He had asked for 100 pesos but received only 70, which made him angry as he suspected the post office employees had stolen the remaining amount.

What does the story suggest about human nature?

The story suggests that while there is kindness and generosity in people (like the postmaster), there can also be suspicion and a lack of appreciation for help received (like Lencho's reaction).

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 10 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers and explanations for all questions, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, themes, and vocabulary, which is crucial for exam preparation.

Important links

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