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Question
There are two kinds of conflict in the story: between humans and nature, and between humans themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated?
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Solution
Conflict between Humans and Nature: The conflict between humans and nature is shown when the hailstorm destroys Lencho's crops. Lencho was hoping for good rain and a good harvest because it was the only source of income for his family. Although he worked very hard, nature destroyed all his crops.
Conflict between Humans and Humans: The story also shows conflict between people. The postmaster and his colleagues collected money and sent it to Lencho to help him. However, when Lencho received less money than he had asked God for, he accused the post office employees of stealing it and called them “a bunch of crooks.” This shows that Lencho trusted God but did not trust other people.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
What did Lencho hope for?
What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped?
Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?
Who read the letter?
What did the postmaster do then?
Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?
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Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not?
Look at the following sentence from the story.
Suddenly a strong wind began to blow and along with the rain very large hailstones began to fall.
‘Hailstones’ are small balls of ice that fall like rain. A storm in which hailstones fall is a ‘hailstorm’. You know that a storm is bad weather with strong winds, rain, thunder and lightning.
There are different names in different parts of the world for storms, depending on their nature. Can you match the names in the box with their descriptions below, and fill in the blanks? You may use a dictionary to help you.
| gale, | whirlwind, | cyclone, |
| hurricane, | tornado, | typhoon |
- A violent tropical storm in which strong winds move in a circle:
__ __ c __ __ __ __ - An extremely strong wind: __ a __ __
- A violent tropical storm with very strong winds: __ __ p __ __ __ __
- A violent storm whose centre is a cloud in the shape of a funnel:
__ __ __ n __ __ __ - A violent storm with very strong winds, especially in the western Atlantic ocean: __ __ r __ __ __ __ __ __
- A very strong wind that moves very fast in a spinning movement and causes a lot of damage: __ __ __ __ l __ __ __ __
Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this?
Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’?
Explain how the description of the devastation caused by the hailstorm reflects the sadness within Lencho, in A Letter to God.
Refer to the given lines, from the text -
Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness.
Answer the following in about 40-50 words:
Why did the night after the rains turn sorrowful for Lencho?
Answer of the following question in 100–120 words:
Grief or sadness is an emotion natural to all types of loss or significant change. You have been asked to present an analysis of the approaches of Lencho and Kisa Gotami in dealing with their respective losses. Write this presentation draft including your insights, and comparing the approaches of both.
You may begin like this: One acknowledges that Lencho had unwavering faith in God whereas Kisa Gotami in her grief, believed that her son ______ however ______.
(Reference – A Letter to God and The Sermon at Benares).
