English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Lencho's cornfield was completely devastated by a severe hailstorm. Initially, it rained heavily, which Lencho welcomed. However, suddenly strong winds brought large hailstones that destroyed the crops for an entire hour. Not a leaf remained on the trees, the corn was totally destroyed, and the flowers were gone. The field looked white, as if covered with salt.

Despite this loss, Lencho did not expect help from any human being. His wife said, "There's no one who can help us." However, Lencho had complete, unshakeable faith in God. He wrote a letter to God requesting a hundred pesos to sow his field again and survive until the next harvest.

Source: A Letter to God, Chapter 1

---

• The question has two parts: how the damage occurred + whether he expected help. Address both.
• Key detail: first rain was welcome, then hailstorm caused total destruction — mention this contrast.
• For the second part, stress that he expected no human help but had absolute faith in God — this is the central theme examiners look for.
• Avoid over-quoting; paraphrase with one or two short direct quotes for effect.