"A Living God" by Lafcadio Hearn is a deeply moving short story that highlights themes of selflessness, leadership, and moral courage against the backdrop of a natural disaster. Set in a coastal Japanese village, the story follows Hamaguchi Gohei, a wise and respected elder who sacrifices his personal wealth to save his community from an impending tsunami. Through vivid narration and cultural insight, Hearn introduces readers to the power of foresight and the reverence for human goodness in Japanese tradition. This story is ideal for middle and high school literature classes, focusing on character values, narrative technique, and cultural exchange between East and West.