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A Letter to God| NCERT Class 10 English | Ch-1
Summary
The story revolves around Lencho, a farmer living in a remote valley with his family. They rely heavily on their corn crop for sustenance. One day, Lencho eagerly watches the sky, hoping for rain to nourish his fields. When the rain finally arrives, it starts as a blessing, but soon turns into a destructive hailstorm that devastates their entire crop. Despite their despair, the family clings to a glimmer of hope in divine intervention.
NCERT Class 10 English | Ch-1 |A Letter to God | Dust of Snow | Fire and Ice
In a desperate move, Lencho writes a letter to God, asking for a hundred pesos to replant his field and support his family until the new crop grows. He addresses the envelope to "God" and mails it, displaying unwavering faith. At the post office, the unusual letter catches the attention of the employees, who find it both amusing and touching.
The postmaster decides to respond to Lencho's letter by gathering donations from colleagues and friends.
However, despite their efforts, they can only manage to send Lencho a little over half of the requested amount. When Lencho receives the money, he is dismayed and believes there has been an error. He promptly writes another letter to God, expressing his disappointment and requesting the remaining funds. This time, he cautions against using the mail, suspecting the postal employees of dishonesty.
Oral Comprehension Check
1. What did Lencho hope for?
Lencho, the farmer, was eagerly awaiting either a heavy rain or even a light drizzle. He knew that this precipitation was essential for the health and yield of his mature corn crops. Adequate moisture is a critical factor in ensuring a bountiful harvest. It helps the plants absorb nutrients from the soil, promotes healthy growth, and ultimately leads to the production of robust, high-quality corn. So, Lencho's hope for rain was rooted in the understanding that it would directly contribute to the success of his harvest.
2. Why did Lencho say the raindrops were like ‘new coins’?
Lencho likened the falling raindrops to freshly minted currency, envisioning the larger drops as ten-cent pieces and the smaller ones as fives. With his crops ripe for harvest, he held onto the belief that the rain would lead to a prosperous yield. Thus, he perceived each raindrop as a symbol of potential wealth, akin to a "new coin."
3. How did the rain change? What happened to Lencho’s fields?
The rain began to pour steadily, but abruptly, a powerful gust of wind swept through, bringing with it sizable hailstones that resembled frozen pearls. This hailstorm persisted for an hour, resulting in the devastation of Lencho's cornfields and the stripping of flowers from the plants.
4. What were Lencho’s feelings when the hail stopped?
Once the hailstones ceased, Lencho's heart brimmed with sorrow and despair. He came to the harsh realization that the hailstorm had left everything in ruins, leaving no sustenance for his family throughout the entire year. The bleak future of his loved ones loomed before him, casting a shadow of uncertainty and hardship.
Oral Comprehension Check
1. Who or what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?
Lencho possessed a steadfast faith in God, firmly convinced that God's gaze penetrated even the deepest recesses of one's soul. This unwavering belief prompted him to pen a letter to God, wherein he earnestly requested a hundred pesos to reseed his field, which had been ravaged by the destructive hailstorm.
2. Who read the letter?
The postmaster read the letter.
3. What did the postmaster do then?
At first, the postmaster chuckled, but he was quickly touched by the profoundness of Lencho's faith in God. Determined not to undermine the writer's belief, he devised a plan to gather contributions from his colleagues and friends. He also personally contributed a portion of his salary to the cause before sending it to Lencho.
Oral Comprehension Check
1. Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?
Lencho's receipt of a letter from God containing money didn't surprise him in the slightest. His unwavering confidence and steadfast faith in God assured him that his plea would be answered by the Divine without a doubt.
2. What made him angry?
Upon counting the funds, Lencho discovered he had received only seventy pesos, falling short of the hundred he had beseeched from God. He held a strong belief that God could not have erred in sending him an insufficient amount, nor would He deny Lencho's request. Thus, Lencho reasoned that the employees at the post office must have taken the remaining thirty pesos from the envelope.
Thinking about the Text
1. Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this?
Lencho's unwavering trust in God stemmed from the belief that God possessed omniscient vision and aided those facing profound adversity. The following sentences serve as examples of his steadfast faith:
But in the hearts of all who lived in that solitary house in the middle of the valley, there was a single hope of help from God.
All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope: the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been instructed, see everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience.
“God”, he wrote, “if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year”.
God could not have made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested.
It said: “God: Of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send me the rest, since I need it very much”.
2. Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’?
The postmaster was profoundly touched by Lencho's unwavering faith in God. In order to preserve this faith, he resolved to send Lencho some money. To achieve this, he gathered contributions from his colleagues and friends, and signed the letter as 'God'. The postmaster believed this was an effective way to communicate to Lencho that the money came from God Himself, who personally endorsed it.
3. Did Lencho try to find out who had sent the money to him? Why/Why not?
Lencho, unwavering in his faith, didn't seek to identify the sender of the money, firmly believing it was a gift from God. He never entertained the thought that someone other than God could be the sender. His confidence in the Almighty was unshakable, as he believed that nothing eluded God's awareness. Lencho felt that God, having witnessed his plight, had graciously come to his aid in this trying time.
4. Who does Lencho think has taken the rest of the money? What is the irony in the situation? (Remember that the irony of a situation is an unexpected aspect of it. An ironic situation is strange or amusing because it is the opposite of what is expected.)
After counting, Lencho discovered only seventy pesos instead of the hundred he asked from God. He was sure God wouldn't make such a mistake. Thus, he concluded the post office employees might have taken the missing thirty pesos, dubbing them as dishonest. Ironically, he ended up suspecting the very individuals who had aided him, all to preserve his unyielding faith in God.
5. Are there people like Lencho in the real world? What kind of a person would you say he is? You may select appropriate words from the box to answer the question.
Greedy | naive |stupid | ungrateful | selfish| comical| unquestioning
Below is one example of the usage of the words.
Lencho's unwavering trust in the source of the money, without considering alternative possibilities, reveals his unquestioning nature. He doesn't appear naive or stupid in this context; rather, he demonstrates a deep faith. There's no sign of him being greedy or selfish either, as he doesn't question the amount received. In fact, Lencho seems to be far from ungrateful; he truly believes in the benevolence of the giver. The situation might appear somewhat comical to an outside observer, but it's a testament to Lencho's strong faith.
6. There are two kinds of conflict in the story: between humans and nature, and between humans themselves. How are these conflicts illustrated?
The story portrays conflicts between humans and nature when Lencho's crops are devastated by a hailstorm, shattering his hopes for a fruitful harvest. Witnessing his ruined field, he succumbs to sadness.
Furthermore, the narrative reveals internal conflicts among humans. The postmaster and his associates selflessly gather funds and contribute to aid Lencho, ensuring his faith in God remains intact. This act of benevolence exemplifies their kindness and generosity. Despite their noble gesture, Lencho attributes the money solely to God, suspecting the post office employees of theft. This suggests a lack of trust in fellow humans, potentially leading to interpersonal conflicts.
Thinking about the Language
Question 1: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
1. A violent tropical storm in which strong winds move in a circle: cyclone
2. An extremely strong wind : gale
3. A violent tropical storm with very strong winds : typhoon
4. A violent storm whose center is a cloud in the shape of a funnel: tornado
5. A violent storm with very strong winds, especially in the western Atlantic Ocean: hurricane
6. A very strong wind that moves very fast in a spinning movement and causes a lot of damage: whirlwind
Question 2:
Match Column A with the meanings of ‘hope’ in Column B
Left for the students to answer.
Question 3
If the relative clause comes at the end, we just put a full stop. Join the sentences given below using who, whom, whose, which, as suggested.
·I often go to Mumbai. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India. (which)
·My mother is going to host a TV show on cooking. She cooks very well. (who)
·These sportspersons are going to meet the President. Their performance has been excellent. (whose)
·Lencho prayed to God. His eyes see into our minds. (whose)
·This man cheated me. I trusted him. (whom)
Answer:
1.I often go to Mumbai, which is the commercial capital of India.
2.My mother, who cooks very well, is going to host a TV show on cooking.
3.These sportspersons, whose performance has been excellent, are going to meet the President.
4.Lencho prayed to God, whose eyes see into our minds.
5.This man, whom I trusted, cheated me.
Question 4:
Using Negatives for Emphasis: Find sentences in the story with negative words, which express the following ideas emphatically.
Answer:
1. The trees lost all their leaves.
Not a leaf remained on the trees.
2. The letter was addressed to God himself.
It was nothing less than a letter to God.
3. The postman saw this address for the first time in his career.
Never in his career as a postman had he seen that address.
Question 5
Metaphors : The word metaphor comes from a Greek word meaning ‘transfer’.
Left for students to do in class
Speaking /Listening/Writing
Classroom activity - Left for students
Dust of Snow| NCERT Class 10 English | Chapter 1
Summary
The poet reflects on a moment when a crow shook down snow from a hemlock tree onto them. This small event unexpectedly lifted their spirits and transformed their outlook, salvaging a portion of a day that had been filled with regret.
1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
The term 'dust of snow' pertains to the fine particles of snowflakes. The poet's disposition shifted after being caught in this impromptu snowfall. Initially disheartened, the experience left him feeling revitalized and cheerful, ready to embrace the remainder of the day.
2. How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer.
(i) What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think a Crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow?
Typically, poets associate birds and trees with beauty and positive attributes. They often write about birds like parrots, peacocks, cuckoos, and trees that bear beautiful flowers and delicious fruits. In this poem, Frost deviates by mentioning a crow, a bird seldom featured in poetry. Crows are typically black with a raucous call, often associated with negative omens. Hence, the inclusion of the word 'crow' in the poem evokes ominous and melancholic imagery.
(ii) Again, what is “a hemlock tree”? Why doesn’t the poet write about amore ‘beautiful’ tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine?
Frost references a "hemlock tree," known for its poisonous nature and small white blossoms. Interestingly, the poet opted not to portray a maple, pine, or oak tree, which typically symbolize beauty and joy. Instead, he deliberately chose the hemlock tree, bypassing the more conventionally picturesque options found in nature, to convey his feelings of sorrow and regret.
(iii) What do the ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent — joy or sorrow? What doesthe dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?
The 'crow' and 'hemlock' tree serve as symbols of the poet's sorrow and melancholic emotions in this world. Conversely, the 'dust of snow' embodies a natural source of joy and invigoration within him. The snow dust shaken off by the crow from the hemlock tree signifies the poet's initial experience of sadness and despondency, which dissipates as he transitions into a state of joy and optimism.
3. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day?
Yes, it's quite common for me to experience moments of depression or hopelessness. These feelings can often be alleviated or improved by positive experiences, interactions, or shifts in perspective. It's important for me facing such emotions to seek support from friends, family, or mental health professionals who can offer understanding and assistance. Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, it's crucial to reach out for help.
Fire and Ice | NCERT Class 10 English | Chapter 1
Summary
In this poem, the speaker is reflecting on the potential ways in which the world might come to an end. They present two contrasting possibilities: fire and ice.
The speaker's preference leans towards fire. They base this inclination on their personal experiences with desire. Fire, in this context, can be seen as a metaphor for intense passion and longing. The speaker implies that the intensity of human desires could potentially lead to a fiery, dramatic end.
However, the speaker also acknowledges another powerful force - hatred. They suggest that if the world were to face destruction a second time, they have seen enough evidence of human animosity to consider ice as a viable means of devastation. Here, ice symbolizes a cold, unfeeling, and destructive force, perhaps representing the chilling effects of animosity and hostility.
Ultimately, the poem conveys a sense of contemplation about the nature of human emotions and their potential consequences on the world's fate. It raises questions about the destructive capacities of desire and hatred, leaving the reader to ponder the complexities of human nature and its impact on the world around us.
Thinking about the Poem
Question 1: There are many ideas about how the world will ‘end’. Do you think the world will end someday? Have you ever thought what would happen if the sun got so hot that it ‘burst’, or grew colder and colder?
The passage discusses various theories about the eventual end of the world. The author believes that, like all things that begin, the world will also have an end. They present two scenarios: if the Sun were to become extremely hot and burst, life on Earth would cease due to the intolerable heat. Conversely, if the Sun were to gradually cool, life would end as a result of the absence of sunlight, which is essential for sustaining life on Earth. The passage emphasizes the crucial role of sunlight as an energy source for all planets in the solar system.
Question 2: For Frost, what do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for? Here are some ideas:
greed avarice cruelty lust conflict fury intolerance rigidity insensitivity coldness indifference hatred
‘Fire’ -> greed, avarice, lust, conflict and fury.
‘Ice’ -> cruelty, intolerance, rigidity, insensitivity, coldness, indifference and hatred.
Question 3: What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
Left for the students to do in the class.
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