NCERT Class 10 English First Flight: Chapter 1 — A Letter to God
NCERT Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 1, "A Letter to God," introduces the story of Lencho, a farmer whose crops are destroyed by a hailstorm. Faced with ruin, Lencho writes a letter to God, expressing his despair and requesting one hundred pesos to replant his fields and feed his family. The chapter explores themes of faith, hope, and the nature of belief. It poses the question of whether faith can truly move mountains and how one's faith is tested in times of extreme hardship. The narrative sets up an intriguing scenario about the journey of Lencho's letter and the response he receives, prompting readers to ponder the continuation of the story and the potential outcomes.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | First Flight |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — A Letter to God |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 170 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of faith and its role in challenging situations.
- Analyze the character of Lencho and his unwavering belief.
- Discuss the themes of hope, despair, and human nature.
- Engage with vocabulary related to farming and financial transactions.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Faith | Complete trust or confidence in someone or something. |
| Crops | Plants cultivated for food or other uses. |
| Ruined | Completely destroyed. |
| Pesos | The basic monetary unit of most Spanish-speaking countries. |
| Counter | A long flat-topped fixture where goods are sold or business is conducted. |
| Counter clerk | A person who works behind a counter. |
| Appropriate | Suitable or proper in the circumstances. |
| Acknowledgement | The act of accepting or admitting the existence or truth of something. |
| Counterfoil | A part of a ticket or document kept as a record. |
| Record | A collection of facts or information about something. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is the main problem faced by Lencho in the story? Answer: Lencho's crops are ruined by a hailstorm.
- To whom does Lencho write a letter? Answer: Lencho writes a letter to God.
- What does Lencho ask for in his letter? Answer: Lencho asks for one hundred pesos.
- What is the primary theme explored in the 'Before You Read' section? Answer: The primary theme is faith and its power, questioning what we should put our faith in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the central theme of the 'Before You Read' section of Chapter 1, 'A Letter to God'?
The section introduces the theme of faith, questioning what we should trust in, and sets up the story of Lencho's letter to God.
What activity is suggested for students before reading 'A Letter to God'?
Students are asked to discuss the process of sending money via post office and learn related vocabulary like 'counter', 'counter clerk', and 'money order form'.
What is the significance of the word 'pesos' in the context of the chapter?
'Pesos' refers to the currency Lencho requests from God, indicating the story is likely set in a Spanish-speaking region or a place where this currency is used.
What does the chapter title 'A Letter to God' suggest about the story?
It suggests a story where a character directly communicates with God, implying themes of extreme faith, desperation, or perhaps a metaphorical interpretation of divine intervention.
What vocabulary is introduced in the 'Before You Read' section?
Vocabulary includes 'counter', 'counter clerk', 'appropriate', 'acknowledgement', 'counterfoil', and 'record', related to postal transactions.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 10 English — First Flight — Chapter 1 — A Letter to God. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.