Chapter Sketch
This story is about hard life and extreme faith in God of a poor farmer ILenchol who had lost his crop due to heavy rain and hailstones. It was the only source of income to fulfil his family’s desires. He firmly believed that God would help him in such a difficult situation and would not let him and his family die of hunger. He wrote a letter to God to seek help. Some kind employees of the post office helped him. So, the story tells us to have _faith in God and never lose hope in adverse situations.
About the Characters
Lencho
A poor farmer who lived on the peak of a low hill with his family. He was a firm believer of God. He was innocent, hopeful, caring and responsible.
Postmaster
A fat, amiable (friendly) fellow who helped Lencho to retain his faith in God. He gave a part of his salary in the charity for Lencho on behalf of God.
Post Office Employees
People who helped Lencho on postmaster’s call. They laughed at Lencho when they saw the letter but helped him in his need. Lencho called them a bunch of crooks.
Summary of the Chapter
Lencho’s Hope of Good Harvest
Lencho was a farmer who lived on the crest (peak) of a low hill with his family. His was the only house in the entire valley. His field was full of ripe corn and easily visible from the house. He was eagerly waiting for a good rain to ‘have a good harvest so he could earn money for his family.
Turning of Lencho’s Hope into Despair,
As Lencho hoped, it started raining at the time of supper (dinner) which gave Lencho a ray of hope. He was extremely delighted to see that. He compared the raindrops with silver coins which shows his joy. But soon his joy turned into despair as the rain changed into hailstones which ruined the crops. The field had been covered with snow like a layer of white salt. Lencho was worried for his family.
Lencho’s Firm Belief in God
Though Lencho was a poor farmer and had lost all his crops, he had firm faith’ in God. He found in God his last hope and decided to write a letter to God for help. He asked God to send him a hundred pesos so that he could sow his field again and support his family until the new crops were harvested. He also wrote that if God didn’t help him, his family would die of hunger.
The Postmaster’s Reaction to Lencho’s Letter
After reading Lencho’s letter to God, the postmaster laughed but soon realised that Lencho had firm faith in God and his belief should not be shaken. So, he decided to help Lencho with the help of his post office employees. He collected seventy pesos and handed the envelope to Lencho himself in which he also contributed a part of his salary.
Lencho Addresses the Post Office Employees ‘A Bunch of Crooks’
Lencho became angry when he saw seventy pesos in the envelope as he had demanded a hundred pesos. He did not believe that God could do such a mistake and send him less money. So, he decided to write a letter again for the rest of money. In this letter, he requested God not to send the rest of the money through the money order because he thought that the post office employees were a ‘bunch of crooks’ who might have stolen his money.