A Letter to God Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 1 CBSE Notes (2025-26)

This chapter begins by introducing the theme of faith and belief through the story “A Letter to God.” It raises thoughtful questions about where we put our trust during times of loss. The main character, Lencho, is a hardworking farmer who experiences the complete destruction of his crops due to a hailstorm, despite his optimism and hope for a good harvest after seeing the coming rain.

Summary of “A Letter to God” Lencho and his family live in a solitary house on a hill in a valley. He is dependent on his crops for survival. 

Hoping for much-needed rain to support his harvest, Lencho welcomes the first drops as signs of prosperity. However, the rain soon turns into a severe hailstorm, destroying his crops completely. Lencho believes only God can help him and writes a letter asking for a hundred pesos to re-sow his field and feed his family.

When Lencho posts the letter, the postmaster and employees are touched by his immense faith. They collect money among themselves and send Lencho seventy pesos, signing the letter as ‘God’. 

Lencho receives the money but, seeing seventy instead of one hundred pesos, he assumes the rest was stolen by the post office staff, and writes another letter to God complaining about this. This twist adds irony to the story, as Lencho has unquestioning faith in God but doubts the honesty of the people who actually helped him.

Major Characters and Themes

• Lencho: He represents faith, hope, and the innocence of people working close to the land. Despite hardships, he does not lose his belief in divine help but is naive and unquestioning in his trust.
• Postmaster & Employees: They symbolise human kindness and empathy. Their collective effort to fulfill Lencho’s wish, even partially, reveals human goodness.
• Theme: The story explores faith, hope, the irony of perception, and the gap between human action and expectation.

Important Vocabulary from the Story

• Crest: The top of a hill.
• Locusts: Insects that fly in large groups and destroy crops.
• Draped: Covered with cloth or a layer.
• Peso: The currency of several Latin American countries.
• Conscience: Inner sense of right and wrong.
• Amiable: Friendly and pleasant.
• Contentment: Satisfaction or happiness.

Comprehension Checks and Key Questions Students should be able to answer these key points:

• Why did Lencho write a letter to God? He wanted to seek help after his crops were ruined, showing his deep faith in God’s support.
• What did Lencho think of the raindrops? He thought of them as ‘new coins’ that would bring him a good harvest, demonstrating his hope and optimism.
• How did the postmaster show empathy? By collecting money and replying to Lencho’s letter as ‘God’, the postmaster tried to preserve Lencho’s belief in divine kindness.
• What irony is present at the end of the story? Lencho doubts the honesty of the people who helped him while maintaining his faith in God.

Language and Vocabulary Skills The chapter encourages building vocabulary and grammar, for example, understanding relative clauses (e.g., “Lencho, who knew his fields intimately,…”) and using metaphors (raindrops as ‘new coins’, hailstones as ‘frozen pearls’).

Types of storms and weather-related vocabulary are also introduced:

• Cyclone / Gale / Typhoon / Tornado / Hurricane / Whirlwind

Matching vocabulary with meanings (as seen in the “Hope” section) and correct usage of negative expressions are practised to improve command over English.

Metaphors and Figures of Speech Table

Object	Metaphor	Quality Compared
Cloud	Huge mountains	Size and massiveness
Raindrops	New coins	Good fortune, value
Hailstones	Frozen pearls/pieces of silver	Preciousness and shape
Locusts	A plague	Destructive power
Lencho	Ox of a man	Strength and dedication

Poetry Corner: “Dust of Snow” and “Fire and Ice” In “Dust of Snow,” Robert Frost describes a small event that changes the mood of the poet. The poem shows how nature has the power to lift spirits, using unusual symbols like a crow and a poisonous hemlock tree to deliver a positive change.

The message is that even a simple happening, such as snow falling from a branch, can save or improve a day that was otherwise filled with regret. The vocabulary includes ‘hemlock’ (a poisonous tree) and ‘rued’ (regretted).

“Fire and Ice” is another short poem by Robert Frost that talks about possible ways the world could end. Here, ‘fire’ symbolises desire, passion, and greed, while ‘ice’ stands for hatred and coldness. Both, in their extreme forms, can cause destruction. The poem uses simple rhyme and direct language, making it easy for students to analyse.

Practice and Activities The chapter includes several engaging activities:

• Completing statements and forms (such as the Money Order activity) to relate to real-life situations.
• Answering oral comprehension checks and making posters about saving water, connecting the story’s theme to current environmental issues.
• Listening and writing practice using letter examples and fill-in-the-blank exercises.

Essential Revision Points

• Understand the message of hope, faith, and irony in “A Letter to God.”
• Be familiar with the main events: the hailstorm, the writing of the letter, and its consequences.
• Be able to explain the metaphorical language and figurative speech used in the story and poems.
• Practise grammar exercises, focusing on relative clauses, negatives for emphasis, and vocabulary in context.
• Recognise the broader environmental and social messages linked with drought, flood, and water conservation.

Review these points thoroughly to strengthen your understanding of the story, poems, and their real-world significance for your Class 10 English exam.

Class 10 English Chapter 1 Notes – A Letter to God (First Flight) Revision Guide

These CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 1 notes on “A Letter to God” make last-minute revision efficient. The key points, summaries, and activities included help you quickly recall plot highlights, themes, and vocabulary as asked in board exams.

Designed for quick understanding, these revision notes allow students to grasp Lencho’s story, poetic devices, and important grammar easily. Use these to practice answers and reinforce your grasp of message, irony, and literary analysis.