A Letter to God: Summary and Analysis

A Letter to God

• The story "A Letter to God" by G.L. Fuentes demonstrates the unwavering faith of Lencho, a poor and simple farmer, in God.
• Lencho, hopeful for a bountiful harvest, faces devastation when a hailstorm destroys his crops.
• Despite his hardship, Lencho trusts in divine help due to his literacy and pens a letter to God requesting one hundred pesos to replant his crops and sustain his family.
• The postman is amused initially but is soon moved and shows the letter to the postmaster.
• The postmaster, impressed by Lencho's faith, gathers contributions from the post office employees, including a part of his own salary, to aid Lencho.
• The total collection falls short of Lencho's request, amounting to only seventy pesos, which the postmaster sends to Lencho in an envelope.
• Receiving the money, Lencho is upset to count only seventy pesos, convinced that God could not have made a mistake.
• Angered, Lencho writes another letter to God, asking for the remaining thirty pesos but specifies for it not to be sent via mail, suspecting the post office employees of theft.
• Lencho accuses the post office workers of being "a bunch of crooks"

Nelson Mandela

• "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" recounts the struggle of black people for freedom in South Africa, extracted from Nelson Mandela's autobiography
• On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first Black President, ending over three centuries of White rule.
• His party secured 252 out of 400 seats in South Africa's first democratic elections.
• Dignitaries from around the world attended the inauguration at the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria.
• Mandela addressed the crowd with respect, promising to end oppression and ensure equality for all South Africans.
• South Africans sang two national anthems: "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" by Whites and "Die Stem" by blacks.
• Recalling the exploitation suffered by black people, Mandela reflected on the racial domination and oppression.
• Mandela believed that hate is learned, not innate, suggesting that love can be taught as well.
• Personal duty includes obligations towards family and country.
• Mandela realized that freedom was an illusion for black people in South Africa, as they face slavery, exploitation, and oppression by whites.
• Mandela asserted firmly in the freedom of the oppressed and the oppressor.
• He argued that denying freedom to others imprisons the oppressor as well, shackled by injustice.

His First Flight

• "His First Flight," by Liam O'Flaherty, tells the story of a young seagull's fear of flying, doubting that his wings would provide enough support.
• While his siblings confidently fly, the young seagull lacks the courage to take that initial leap.
• His parents tried to make him fly and said unless he does he will starve.
• One day, his family's taunts about his cowardice, combined with hunger, prompted a decision to fly and get the piece of fish from his mother.
• Frustrated by hunger, he leaned out eagerly and jumped at the fish.
• Experiencing a moment of terror as he falls, he discovers his wings spreading outward and flies for the first time.
• He overcomes his fear and joins his siblings in soaring, skimming waves, and diving.

The Black Aeroplane

• "Black Aeroplane," by Fredrik Forsyth, revolves around a pilot's mysterious experience.
• The pilot, flying from France to England with a plan to have breakfast with family, encounters storm clouds that look like black mountains after crossing Paris.
• Flying through these clouds, the pilot is surrounded by darkness and loses control of the aeroplane with nothing visible around him.
• Another aeroplane appears without lights, its pilot signaling to follow.
• The narrator follows the pilot due to the planes radio signals not working, and lack of fuel.
• Safely landing with the other pilot's assistance, the narrator later learns that no other aeroplane was flying that night.

From the Diary of Anne Frank

• "From the Diary of Anne Frank" is an autobiography about a young Jewish girl's experiences chronicled in her diary.
• Anne begins writing with no expectation of future readership, but decides to record her thoughts, naming her diary "Kitty".
• She found her diary to be a loyal friend since she hadn't any friends to talk to.
• She loved her father especially, who gifted her diary on her thirteenth birthday.
• Anne noted the collective nervousness of her class on June 20, 1942, ahead exams, especially her insecurity about mathematics.
• She and a friend requested the students calm down but it was in vain.
• She also discussed her maths teacher, Mr. Keesing, who was annoyed by Anne's talkative nature.
• Mr. Keesing assigned essay punishments, starting with 'A Chatterbox' which Anne found unusual.
• After the 3rd strike which was 'Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox' she enlisted the her friend Sanne, who aided her with poetry.
• Her teacher took the essay lightly and enjoyed.
• Since, Anne wasn't assigned extra HW by Mr. Keesing.

Glimpses of India - Coorg

• The story is by Lokesh Abrol and talks about Coorg
• Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka and the Kodagu, a beautiful town, lies between Mangalore and Mysore.
• It has evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantations.
• A lot of tourists come from September to March every year.
• The air of Coorg is filled with coffee scents and the the people are independent and have Greek or Arabic decent.
• Alexander's army settled and married local people and the tradition stuck.
• Coorgi people also wear Kuppia, like the arabs do
• Coorgi People are very brave and one of the significant regiments in the army is the Coorg regiment.
• General Cariappa, commander and chief of the indian army came from Coorg.
• Coorg contains Cauvery River, is hilly and has many activities.

Glimpses of India - Baker From Goa

• "The Baker from Goa" by Lucio Rodrigues is nostalgic to Goan culture
• It recalls the importance of bakers to culture
• It is set in Portuguese Goan and depicts the daily life of bakers
• The narrator recalls childhood, baker/pader was a common and important piece of their lives
• The bread was a staple in households, part of Goan tradition, festivals and daily meals
• The baker would visit every morning with his bamboo staff and the children waited eagerly for bread (bolinhas)
• The baker was characterized by his dress called a kabai, a long frock.
• They bring bread on their heads
• They were crucial for occasions like weddings.
• Baking jobs were profitable.
• Bakers had good following and a great income.
• The author reminisces on the Baker's essential role in their culture.
• Tells how there is strong bond between Goa and their baking traditions

Tea from Assam

• "Tea from Assam" by Arup Kumar Datta is about the journey of Rajvir and Pranjol to Assam, the tea estate of India.
• The story is about tea and it's history.
• Rajvir and Pranjol travel to Assam during summer vacation
• Rajvir is excited as he sees the beautiful scenery
• Rajvir knows about tea and shares with Pranjol who is used to it.
• Tea was first discovered in China.
• There a Chinese and Indian legend about tea's discovery.
• Rajvir says that the tea went to Europe in the 16th century.
• The two friends travel to Pranjol's estate.
• Rajvir is amazed by the plantations of tea.
• Assam provides most tea in India

Mijbil the Otter

• "Mijbil the Otter" by Gavin Maxwell is a story of the authors experience of a pet otter
• Maxwell travels to Basra, Iraq to get mail.
• He was lonely because he lost his dog and wanted an Otter in his life.
• His friend told him that a place called Tigris marshes is known for creatures
• He receives sack with a small otter.
• He names Mijbil, Mij.
• Mij is curious but playful. Maxwell notices that he loves water and can turn on the faucet.
• When Maxwell wants to return to England.
• The British dont allow pets to travel with his owner. Maxwell allows them to use the other Airline
• He allows Mij to get packed inside a box.
• Before the flight he get a box.
• When Maxwell returns, he sees that Mij has chewed holes in the box.
• Maxwell returns Mij.
• An air hostess advises him to keep Mij on his lap.
• The air hostess advises him to keep Mij on his lap.
• As soon as MW opens the box, Mij leaps out. The commotion takes place.
• The air hostess returns Mij.
• The journey ends smoothly.
• After reaching London he plays with lots of objects, like marbles, ping long balls and suitcases They enjoyed the walks in London, as people would stare. A digger stopped and questioned what the otter was. The story has joy and love, and shows the otter's intelligence.

Madam Rides the Bus

• "Madam Rides the Bus" is a story of a Tamil girl named Valliammai/Valli dreams of exploring the world.
• Valli has no friends and just stands at the houses door.
• She often watches buses and dreams of riding one day.
• Valli finds out the bus tour by listening to bus passengers.
• She learns that it costs 30 paise per way and the town is 6 miles away.
• To get to the tour, Valli refrains from sweets and toys and saves money.
• One afternoon, while her mother is asleep, Valli puts her plan into action.
• She buys her ticket and waits for the bus.
• The conductor calls her madam and helps her get in.
• Valli notices the bus is green and white, new, and has comfortable seats.
• A playful moment excites when a cow runs, the bus honks.
• When the bus reaches the bus, conductor asks if she wants to adventure.
• Valli declines because she has enough to get back home.
• Conductor is happy and she stays on the bus for coming home.
• On the way back, Valli sees a dead cow.
• She realizes the same cow that had fun on the bus earlier.
• When the bus drops her, Valli sneaks home on time.
• The story is about innocence.

The Sermon at Benares

• The Sermon is from Benares, and gives the teachings of Lord Buddha on enlightenment of life, death and human existence.
• Lord Buddha was Siddhārtha Gautama, born in North India
• At 12 he was sent away to study hindu scripture and returned 4 years later.
• He married a beautiful princess and had a son.
• His royal life was shielded from suffering.
• Siddhārtha encountered sick man, old man, funeral and monk
• After 7 years, he got enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
• Thereafter, Siddhārtha became Buddha.
• Buddha gave the sermon from Benares, city of Ganges and river
• There was a woman Kisa woman named Kisa Gotami, whom had lost her only son
• She got medicine, and wandered around the house.
• Most dismissed her as delusional.
• When Sika approached Buddha, he gave her mustard seeds from households that has no death.
• She realized death has touched loved ones
• She then understood the universality of death
• She recognized only worsening suffering.

The proposal

• The Proposal is play where the play explores marriage, property disputes and human pettiness.
• The story is about Ivan Lomov/Natalya Stepanovna and Stephan Chubukov.
• Lomov visits to seek Natalya's hand for marriage.
• Chubukov thinks Lomov has money
• Natalya enters and Lomov tries to build conversation
• However, the discussion because of the properties. Which Lomov claims his family owns.
• Lomov has heart palpitations.
• Soon, Lomov storms out.
• Lomov had come for marriage.
• Natalya asks Stephan and asks Lomov back.
• They argue dogs.
• Natayla tells that squeezer is better than Guess. The quarrel continues.
• As lomov collapses because his palpations. Natalya panicks and her father helps to revive Lomov. They finally agree to marry.
• However, they continue to argue.

Explore 'A Letter to God' by G.L. Fuentes. The story revolves around Lencho, a farmer, who writes to God after a hailstorm destroys his crops. Touched by his faith, the postmaster sends him money, but Lencho believes postal employees stole part of it.