Lesson 1- "A Letter to God" by Gregorio López y Fuentes
1. Introduction to the Story
Genre: Realistic fiction with a touch of irony.
Theme: Faith, innocence, and irony.
The story revolves around a farmer, Lencho, who faces a severe
crisis due to a hailstorm and writes a letter to God seeking help.
2. Main Characters
Lencho: A hardworking and deeply religious farmer.
Postmaster: A kind man who admires Lencho's faith and decides
to help him.
Post Office Staff: Assist the postmaster in helping Lencho.
3. Plot Summary
Initial Situation: Lencho eagerly awaits rain for his crops.
Conflict: A devastating hailstorm destroys his entire crop.
Faith in God: Lencho writes a letter to God, asking for 100 pesos
to survive.
Response by Postmaster: The postmaster collects money from his
colleagues to help Lencho, but they manage to gather only 70
pesos.
Irony: Lencho, upon receiving the money, thinks the post office
staff stole the missing amount and writes another letter to God,
asking Him not to send money through the post office.
4. Themes
Unwavering Faith: Lencho’s belief in God’s help is unshakable.
Humanity and Kindness: The postmaster and his staff show
selflessness.
Irony and Innocence: Lencho mistrusts the very people who
helped him.
5. Moral/Message
The story highlights the strength of faith and the importance of
kindness, while subtly critiquing misplaced mistrust.
6. Important Quotes
“God: if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this
year.”
“It’s during the meal, as Lencho had predicted: big drops of rain
began to fall.”
Poem 1- Dust of Snow by Robert Frost
1. Introduction to the Poem
Theme: Small moments can bring big changes in perspective.
Form: Short lyric poem with a simple rhyme scheme (ABAB).
Setting: A winter day in nature, involving a tree, a crow, and snow.
2. Summary
The poet describes how an incident involving a crow shaking snow
off a hemlock tree changes his mood.
The dust of snow, a light sprinkling of snowflakes, falls on the poet
and uplifts his spirits, saving a part of his day from being wasted.
The poem portrays nature’s healing power and its ability to
influence human emotions positively.
3. Symbolism and Imagery
Crow: Often symbolizes ill omen or negativity but here brings a
positive change.
Hemlock Tree: Associated with poison or sadness but acts as a
source of beauty and rejuvenation.
Dust of Snow: Represents small, seemingly insignificant events
that can have a profound impact.
Imagery: The visuals of snow, the movement of the crow, and the
poet’s mood shift create vivid mental pictures.
4. Themes
Nature’s Role in Healing: Nature helps lift the poet’s spirits and
save the day.
Power of Small Moments: Even trivial events can make a big
difference in one’s outlook.
Interplay of Positivity and Negativity: Negative elements like the
crow and the hemlock tree lead to a positive transformation.
5. Poetic Devices
Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds, e.g., “saved some
part.”
Imagery: Visual descriptions of snow, tree, and crow evoke
sensory experiences.
Enjambment: Continuation of a sentence across lines enhances
the flow of thought.
Symbolism: Crow, hemlock, and snow symbolize deeper
meanings.
6. Moral/Message
Life’s beauty lies in its unpredictability; even negative experiences
can lead to positive outcomes.
Appreciate the small joys of life and find solace in nature’s
simplicity.
7. Important Quotes
“The way a crow / Shook down on me / The dust of snow / From a
hemlock tree.”
“Has given my heart / A change of mood / And saved some part /
Of a day I had rued.”
Poem 1- Fire and Ice- Robert Frost
1. Introduction to the Poem
Theme: The poem explores two destructive forces—desire (fire)
and hatred (ice)—and their potential to destroy the world.
Tone: Philosophical and contemplative.
Structure: A short, concise poem of nine lines with a simple rhyme
scheme (ABA ABC BCB).
2. Summary
The poet reflects on two contrasting beliefs about the end of the
world:
o Some say it will end in fire (symbolizing desire, greed, or
passion).
o Others say it will end in ice (symbolizing hatred,
indifference, or coldness).
Frost agrees that fire (desire) could bring destruction, but
acknowledges that ice (hatred) is equally powerful in causing
harm.
The poem highlights the destructive nature of human emotions and
behaviors.
3. Symbolism and Imagery
Fire: Represents desire, passion, greed, and uncontrollable
emotions.
Ice: Symbolizes hatred, coldness, indifference, and rigidity.
Imagery: Vivid descriptions of fire and ice evoke strong visuals of
destruction.
4. Themes
Destructive Power of Human Emotions: Both desire and hatred
have the potential to ruin individuals and societies.
Dual Nature of Destruction: Contrasting elements like fire and
ice illustrate the multifaceted ways in which destruction can occur.
Moral Decay of Humanity: The poem critiques the excessive
indulgence in emotions like greed and hatred.
5. Poetic Devices
Symbolism: Fire and ice represent opposing human emotions and
destructive forces.
Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds, e.g., “Some
say.”
Imagery: Evocative descriptions of fire and ice.
Contrast: Juxtaposition of fire and ice to show opposing
destructive forces.
Irony: Both fire and ice, though opposites, lead to the same
outcome—destruction.
6. Moral/Message
Extreme emotions, whether fiery desire or icy hatred, can lead to
the downfall of individuals and society.
Balance and moderation in emotions are essential to prevent self-
destruction.
7. Important Quotes
“Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.”
“I hold with those who favor fire.”
“But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.”
Lesson 2- Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson
Rolihlahla Mandela
1. Introduction to the Text
Autobiographical Extract: The text is an excerpt from Nelson
Mandela’s autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom."
Theme: Mandela recounts his journey from oppression under
apartheid to becoming South Africa’s first black president.
Tone: Reflective and inspirational.
2. Summary
The lesson begins with Mandela’s inauguration on May 10, 1994,
as South Africa's first democratically elected president.
He reflects on the oppressive apartheid regime that deprived non-
white South Africans of their basic rights.
Mandela acknowledges the sacrifices of freedom fighters who
struggled for equality and justice.
He emphasizes the values of courage, resilience, and the
importance of human dignity.
Mandela concludes by expressing his belief in the inherent
goodness of humanity and his hope for a brighter future.
3. Key Events in the Lesson
Inauguration Ceremony: Mandela’s swearing-in as president
marked the end of apartheid and the dawn of a democratic South
Africa.
Tribute to Freedom Fighters: Mandela acknowledges the
contributions of those who fought against racial oppression.
Reflection on Apartheid: He recounts the pain of racial
segregation and the struggle for freedom.
Philosophy of Leadership: Mandela stresses forgiveness,
reconciliation, and unity as the pillars of leadership.
4. Themes
Struggle for Freedom: The lesson highlights the sacrifices made
by individuals for the collective good of society.
Equality and Human Rights: Mandela’s vision of a just society is
based on equality, justice, and human dignity.
Reconciliation and Forgiveness: The narrative emphasizes letting
go of bitterness to build a united nation.
Resilience and Hope: It portrays Mandela’s unyielding
determination to overcome challenges and envision a better future.
5. Important Characters
Nelson Mandela: Leader of the anti-apartheid movement and first
black president of South Africa.
Freedom Fighters: Individuals who contributed to the fight
against racial discrimination, including Mandela’s comrades in the
African National Congress (ANC).
6. Important Quotes
“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter;
I have made missteps along the way.”
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph
over it.”
“The oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed.”
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his
skin, or his background, or his religion.”
7. Moral/Message
True leadership lies in uniting people, overcoming differences, and
working for collective progress.
Forgiveness and reconciliation are essential to healing and
rebuilding a nation.
The fight for justice and equality requires sacrifice, courage, and
perseverance.
