Letter to God

By Tarang Jain

In this story by G.L.Fuentes, the author portrays, through a farmers' blind faith in God, that you may not get what you want but must always appreciate the hands that contribute towards it.

When the protagonist of the story, Lencho, is faced with the task of feeding the family after the destruction of his crops, he turns towards the almighty for support. He asks for 100 pesos (money) via a letter to God to survive the forthcoming winter and to get back on his feet. Upon receiving the strange letter addressed to God, the postmaster reads it and is astounded by the farmers' faith in God and resolves to help him. However, he is only able to collect 70 pesos which he puts in an envelope, signs 'God' and sends it to Lencho. 

On receiving the letter, Lencho shows no sign of surprise but on the contrary, gets angry and accuses the employees of the post office of stealing 30 pesos. He fails to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the postmaster who had selflessly helped him. Ironically, he writes back to god asking for the rest of the money and conveying his distrust in the employees.

His faith in God was so blinding that he failed to recognize that God works through humanity.