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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?
Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like ‘new coins’?
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?
What made him angry?
Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not?
Notice how the word ‘hope’ is used in these sentences from the story:
- I hope it (the hailstorm) passes quickly
- There was a single hope: help from God.
In the first example, ‘hope’ is a verb which means you wish for something to happen. In the second example it is a noun meaning a chance for something to happen.
Match the sentences in Column A with the meanings of ‘hope’ in Column B.
| A | B | |
| 1. |
Will you get the subjects you want to study in college? I hope so. |
a feeling that something good will probably happen |
| 2. | I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but I don’t like the way you are arguing. | thinking that this would happen (It may or may not have happened). |
| 3. | This discovery will give new hope to HIV/AIDS sufferers. | stopped believing that this good thing would happen |
| 4. | We were hoping against hope that the judges would not notice our mistakes. | wanting something to happen (and thinking it quite possible) |
| 5. | I called early in the hope of speaking to her before she went to school. | showing concern that what you say should not offend or disturb the other person: a way of being polite |
| 6. | Just when everybody had given up hope, the fishermen came back, seven days after the cyclone. | wishing for something to happen, although this is very unlikely |
Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’?
What are the raindrops compared to and why?
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).
