NCERT Class 10 English Words and Expressions 2: Chapter 1 — A Letter to God
This chapter, 'A Letter to God,' from the NCERT Class 10 English textbook 'Words and Expressions 2,' explores themes of faith, desperation, and human nature. The story revolves around Lencho, a farmer whose crops are destroyed by a hailstorm. Despite his devastation, Lencho maintains unwavering faith in God and writes a letter requesting financial aid. The postmaster and postman are initially amused but touched by his faith, collecting seventy pesos to send to Lencho. However, Lencho, believing thirty pesos were stolen by the post office staff, writes another letter expressing his disappointment and distrust. The chapter prompts discussions on the nature of faith, the actions of the post office officials, and Lencho's perspective, highlighting the complexities of human interaction and belief systems within the CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Words and Expressions 2 |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — A Letter to God |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 242 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the character of Lencho and his unwavering faith in God.
- Discuss the themes of faith, desperation, and human nature presented in the story.
- Evaluate Lencho's actions and his perception of the post office officials.
- Understand the importance of critical thinking and discussion in interpreting literary texts.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Thrashed | Beaten or hit forcefully. |
| Desperate | Feeling or showing despair; having lost hope. |
| Coherent | Logical and consistent. |
| Officials | People who hold a public office or are in a position of authority. |
| Crooks | Dishonest or fraudulent people. |
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Practice questions
- What was the initial reaction of the postmaster and postman to Lencho's letter? Answer: They laughed at the letter but were surprised by Lencho's faith.
- How much money did Lencho ask for, and how much did he receive? Answer: Lencho asked for a hundred pesos and received seventy pesos.
- Why did Lencho call the post office employees 'a bunch of crooks'? Answer: He believed they had taken thirty pesos from the money sent to him.
- What was the immediate effect of the hailstorm on Lencho's field? Answer: The hailstorm thrashed his corn field and destroyed all the corn.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the chapter 'A Letter to God'?
The main themes are faith in God, desperation, and the complexities of human nature and honesty.
Who is Lencho and what problem does he face?
Lencho is a farmer whose crops are destroyed by a hailstorm, leaving him desperate.
Why did Lencho write a letter to God?
He wrote to God asking for a hundred pesos to sow his field again and survive until the next crop.
How did the postmaster and his staff help Lencho?
The postmaster collected about seventy pesos from his colleagues and sent it to Lencho.
What was Lencho's reaction to the money he received?
He was happy to find the money but was angry because it was only seventy pesos, not a hundred, and he suspected the post office staff had taken the rest.
What does Lencho's second letter reveal about him?
It reveals his unwavering faith in God but also his distrust of people, calling the post office employees 'crooks'.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 10 English — Words and Expressions 2 — Chapter 1 — A Letter to God. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.