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THE SUMMER OF THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE

Summer of the Beautiful White Horse- Summary

Aram and Mourad were two poor boys who belonged to the Armenian Garoghlanian family who were known for
their honesty since the eleventh century. One early morning when Aram was asleep and was enjoying pleasant
dreams, his cousin Mourad showed up to his window with a beautiful white horse. Aram could not believe it and
was thinking it was a dream. But since there was a little light outside, he knew this for sure that the horse was real.
As they were poverty-stricken, he couldn’t believe that the horse was their own. He was trying to figure out if the
horse had been stolen by his cousin. Mourad had come to invite him for a ride-along. He asked him to make it quick
before everyone in the world wakes up. Aram wore his clothes and jumped out of the window and sat behind
Mourad on the horse. They rode on the old countryside of the area where they lived – Walnut Avenue. After some
time, Mourad asked him to get off as he wanted to ride the horse alone. Aram asked him if he could also ride the
horse alone just like him to which Mourad said they will see as it was for his own safety. He got to know that
Mourad had stolen the horse a month ago and was riding it every morning.

When Aram got his chance of a ride, the horse took him to the vineyard and threw him off and ran away. After
searching for thirty minutes, Mourad finally managed to find the horse and they hid him in a deserted vineyard
that had some oats and alfalfa. Mourad had a way with everything, especially horses. He knew how to handle every
type of animal and also humans. Every morning for two weeks, they would take the horse for a ride and then hide
it again. One day, John Byro came to Aram’s house to talk to his uncle Khosrove who was an irritated and loud man
who shouted at almost everything. Byro told him about his missing horse whom he bought at sixty dollars. For one
month, he couldn't find it and he walked for 10 miles to come to their house. Khosrove roared at him and told him,
‘it’s no harm, pay no attention to it.’ Byro became irritated by his attitude and he went away.

Aram went to Mourad and told him about the missing horse of Byro and asked him not to return the horse until he
learns to ride it. Mourad told him that it would take one year for him to learn to ride the horse. He further angrily
added that they could not be thieves as their tribe is known for honesty and said that they would return the horse
after six months.

One day on their way back to hide the horse to the hidden spot, they met John Byro who was going back to the
town. He talked to them and carefully examined the horse. He admitted that the horse looked exactly like the one
he had but since he knew his parents and the honesty of their family, he didn’t believe that they had his missing
horse. He assumed it was a twin horse. Mourad managed to let Byro assume that it was not his horse so they went
away. The next morning, both of them took the horse back to Byro’s vineyard and put it in the barn. The dogs
followed them all along quietly and they left the place.

The same afternoon, John Byro came back to his house to tell his mother about his horse who had come back. He
was happy and was astonished to see the horse’s better temper and it was stronger than ever. Uncle Khosrove again
roared, ‘Quiet, man, quiet. Your horse has been returned. Pay no attention to it.’

Character Sketch of Aram:

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Aram was the ten-year old cousin of Mourad. He was aware of his tribe's reputation for integrity. He was fascinated
by horses. He knew that Mourad had stolen the horse but justified the action saying that it was not stealing unless
Mourad sold the horse for monetary gain. He was jealous of the bond that Mourad shared with the horse and hoped
to have a similar connection someday. He found a way to keep the horse even when he came to know that John
Byro was the owner.

Character Sketch of Mourad:

Mourad was considered to be crazy and a direct descendent of Uncle Khosrove. He had a special way with animals
and even with people. He was able to make them fell calm and safe. He looked after the horse so well that John
Byro found it better tempered and healthy on its return. He was fascinated by horses and did not mind breaking
the rules to get what he wanted. He chose not to tell Aram that he stole the horse to save Aram from the trouble.
He is a free-spirited child of nature and enjoys "being alive". He does not have a conscience. He chooses to return
the horse when he is reminded of his family's honourable reputation.

Character Sketch of Uncle Khosrove:

Uncle Khosrove was a huge man with a large mustache. He had a volatile temper and seemed to be similar to
Mourad in spirit. He was forced to leave Armenia and felt that his true home and a part of his identity had been
stripped away. He felt a lack of belonging to the new land of Central Valley, California where the Armenians had
settled. He possessed a sense of frustrated anger. He would often roar, "It is no matter. Pay no attention to it."
Nothing seemed to be very important to him anymore and nothing was too tragic or urgent.

Textual questions and answers:

1. You will probably agree that this story does not have breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what in
your opinion makes it interesting?

= The story ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ is a tale told from the viewpoint of a nine-year old boy.
At that age, imagination is rich and one can romanticize even insignificant actions. To such a person the world is
full of excellence and glory and life is delightful and a mysterious dream. For the young poor boy, a ride on a
beautiful white horse is a dream fulfilled. He had been always longing to ride and his cherished dream is realised
when his cousin Mourad offers him a chance to ride on horseback—first with him and then alone. Riding the stolen
horse and hiding it safely are great feats of adventure for the two boys.

Though the story line is thin, we eagerly follow the course of action taken by the boys till they return the horse to
its rightful owner. The story provides us a peep into child psychology. For boys who are crazy about horses, stealing
a horse for a ride is not stealing. Though they enjoy the thrill of riding, they are conscious of their family pride.
The Garoghlanian family is well-known for honesty and trust. They would neither steal nor take advantage of
anybody in the world. Another point of interest is characterization. The delineation of the common traits of uncle
Khosrove and cousin Mourad is superb. The story also contains many purple passages full of pictorial description.
All these heighten its appeal to the reader.

2. Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?

= The story gives no indication that the boys were afraid of anyone or anything. Hence the return of the horse
was not directed by fear. Secondly, they were not at all conscience-stricken. They did not feel any pangs of

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repentance or remorse at their action of stealing a horse solely for the purpose of riding it. The narrator makes it
amply clear when he asserts that stealing a horse for a ride was not the same thing as stealing something else, such
as money. For him, it wasn’t stealing at all as he and Mourad were so crazy about horses. In his opinion, it would
become stealing only when they offered to sell the horse, which he knew they would never do.

The last phrase gives a clue to their mental make up. Mourad had the horse for over a month when farmer John
Byro visited the narrator’s house. They retained it for two weeks more. Mourad outrightly rejected the narrator’s
suggestion of keeping the horse any longer. It was his family pride that would not let him steal. He decided that the
horse must go back to its true owner. The meeting with John Byro proved conclusive. He praised their family for
its honesty. He trusted the boys as he knew their parents. Hence in order to uphold the family tradition and
reputation, the boys returned the horse to its rightful owner.

3. The story revolves around characters who belong to tribe in Armenia. Mourad and Aram are members of the
Garoghlanian family. Now locate Armenia and Assyria on the atlas and prepare a write-up on the Garoghlanian
tribes. You may write about people, their names, traits, geographical and economic features as suggested in the
story.

= The Garoghlanian Tribes

The Garoghlanian family was an Armenian tribe. Eleven centuries ago it was the wealthiest family in that part of
the world. However, now every branch of the Garoghlanian tribe was living in the most amazing and comical
poverty in the world. These poor people had no money. Nobody could understand where they ever got money
enough to keep them with food in their bellies. The Garoghlanian tribes were famous for their honesty.

It had been the hallmark of the tribe for many centuries. They were proud of their family. Honesty came next and
then they believed in right and wrong. None of them would take advantage of anybody in the world. No member
of the Garoghlanian family could be a thief. The elders felt pained to remember that they had lost their homeland.
These people shifted their residence from one place to the other. The narrator says, “That year we lived at the edge
of the town, on Walnut Avenue.” They loved countryside having vineyards, orchards, olives and Walnuts. The
names of the people are semi- Arabic: Mourad, Aram, Khosrove etc.

Extra questions and answers:

1. Aram did not think they had stolen the white horse even though they kept it with them for a long time. Why
did Mourad steal the horse? Why did they return it?

= Aram did not think they had stolen the white horse even though they kept it with them for a longtime because
in his opinion it would become stealing only when they had the intention to sell the horse for money or keep it
with them forever. Therefore, they did not think they had stolen the horse.

Mourad stole the horse because he had passion for riding; but he was too poor to buy a horse. They returned the
horse back because their conscience instructed them to do so. The meeting with John Byro changed Mourad’s mind
and heart. John Byro did not claim the horse, though he felt that it was his lost horse. He only spoke about the
honesty of their family which prompted them to return the horse to its rightful owner.

2. What impression do you form of the narrator (Aram) after reading the story?

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= Aram is a nine years Armenian boy who narrates the story. He is longing for a joyride on a horse. He is the only
character in the story who not only narrates incidents and actions but also gives useful information about other
characters and their traits as well. He also provides the description of the Garoghlanian, tribe, their traits, etc. He
finds it hard to believe that Mourad has stolen a horse because he comes from a family that firmly upholds honesty
as their special trait and are proud of it. In his opinion, stealing a horse for a ride is not the something as stealing
something else, such as money. He convinces himself by saying this that it would become stealing when they offer
to sell it. Aram enjoys riding the horse. The temptation to ride a beautiful horse cannot be resisted by him. Aram
loves adventure that’s why he decides not to talk about the stolen horse.

3. The narrator mentioned ‘a crazy streak’ running in his family. Which two characters showed this streak in their
behaviour and words? Write briefly about them showing how they could be called crazy.

= Mourad and Uncle Khosrove were the two characters who showed a crazy streak in their behaviour. Mourad
was a thirteen-year old Armenian boy. He belonged to Garoghlanian tribe. He was fond of riding to the point of
craziness. He sang out of joy when riding a stolen horse. He said confidently that he had a way with horses.

He was crazy like his uncle Khosrove and was considered the natural descendent of his crazy uncle. Uncle Khosrove
had a furious temper1 and was known to be crazy. He was so impatient and irritable that he stopped anyone from
talking by roaring, ‘It is no harm; pay no attention to it’. He said this even when his son came running to tell him
that their house was on fire. He got irritated and snubbed John Byro when he told him about his horse having been
stolen.

4. Do you think John Byro recognised his horse? Why did he not accuse the boys of stealing his horse?

= Yes, John Byro recognized his horse. When he met the boys, walking with his horse which had been stolen,
asked its name and examined its teeth. He said it must be the twin of his stolen horse. He said that he trusted their
family’s honesty, so he was not willing to create a fuss and did not have any intention to call them thieves. Though
he recognized his horse but he told them that he would not even suspect them of stealing a horse. John Byro did
not blame the boys nor made any formal complaint regarding the theft of his horse. He merely touched upon their
family honour. This had the desired effect on the children and they returned the horse.

5. How does the narrator reflect the ‘good old days ‘ and how does he introduce his cousin Mourad?

= The narrator describes the ‘good old days’ bringing the context of his childhood where he is not there now. He
tells life to be delightful and as that of a mysterious dream then. His world was full of every kind of magnificence
he could imagine. In the meantime, the narrator also gives a glimpse of his cousin Mourad, who was considered to
be a lunatic by everybody. He also narrates an incident where Mourad had come to his house at four in the morning
which justifies the craziness of cousin to the readers.

6. How did the narrator realise that he wasn’t dreaming? Out of the window what did he see and what did Mourad
speak in Armenian?

= It was hard for him to believe what he was seeing through his eyes though it was enough for the narrator to
believe that he wasn’t dreaming. He could see that it wasn’t morning yet. The daybreak had just begun and it had
begun with a surprise to Aram who was taken aback to see his cousin Mourad sitting on a beautiful white horse out
of the window. Seeing the narrator sticking his head out of the window and rubbing his eyes, Mourad had said it

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to him that it was a horse and confirmed that he wasn’t dreaming. He had also asked Aram in Armenian to make it
quick if he wanted to ride the horse.

7. Why did Aram have disbelief about Mourad with this horse?

= His cousin Mourad is said to be a boy who is from a different planet and enjoys being alive more than anyone
else though it was more than even what he could believe as Mourad was sitting on a horse which they could never
dream of. Their extreme poverty had always restricted their longings to ride horses. Moreover, their whole tribe is
poverty-stricken. They belonged to the famous Garoghlanian family, every branch of which was experiencing
severe economical backwardness. These reasons made Aram scared of what the other men of their family would
think of when they see them with the horse and had eventually led Aram to have disbelief.

8. What is the speciality of the Garoghlanian family?

= Apart from being a poor tribe, Garoghlanians were famous for their honesty which was most important of all.
For the last eleven centuries or so, they maintained their reputation for honesty intact. Even when they were the
wealthiest family in the world, they were as a set of honest people. Aram says that they were proud first, honest
second. They had a clear perception of what is wrong and right. They would never steal or take advantage of
anybody in the world. but the only thing that never goes in their way is the fact that they were so poor that they
could not have enough food for young and old alike.

9. Explain “comical poverty”.

= The given phrase explains about the living standards of the Garoghlanian Tribe of which the protagonists- Aram
and Mourad belonged. The Garoghlanians were honest but very poor and poverty-stricken, still, they never resorted
to any unfair means to earn money or food. Their neighbours were amazed at how they managed with their living
without anybody caring for resources. The phase is an ironical description about their struggle to cope up with
poverty.

10. How do the Garoghlanian tribe people give priority to honesty?

= The story acquaints us an Armenian tribe, Garoghlanians who set a bright example for the world through their
honesty. The family had been famed for its honesty for close to eleven centuries due to which they were considered
to be wealthiest by virtue. The people of this family are proud, honest and strict believers in differentiating between
right and wrong. They never took advantage of anybody nor did they steal from anyone. They were so perfect in
giving priority to their honesty that no member of the family could falsely be taken as a thief.

11. How did Aram relate the word pious to the horse and Mourad? How did Aram analyse the possibility or the
vice-versa of the horse belonging to Mourad or any other member of their tribe?

= Aram had a conscious look at his cousin and then had stared at the horse though he could only see a sacred
stillness whenever he was thinking of the fact if his brother had stolen the horse. He was frightened on one hand
and on the other, he was delighted too. He asked Mourad whether he had stolen it from somewhere to which
Mourad called him out instead of answering it. This made it sure to Aram that the horse was stolen as his cousin
was crazy about riding horses. To console himself in a childish manner, Aram thought that stealing a horse for
riding was not the same as stealing something for money.

12. Narrate the riding experience of Aram and Mourad.

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= Aram was shocked to see the horse, however, he put his shock aside and jumped out of the window to enjoy the
riding. Mourad rode the horse while Aram sat pillion, they took the horse to the countryside behind their house.
Mourad began singing that resembled roaring. After manoeuvring the horse from Walnut Avenue to Olive Avenue,
Mourad expresses his wish to ride alone. Mourad races the horse across the irrigation ditch and after successful
leaps over the ditch, he circles back to Aram. Aram forgets to signal the horse as it stands still and eventually Aram
kicks the muscles of the horse, the animal begins to run. The horse takes off to the vineyard of Dikran Halabian
instead of turning back to Mourad and there it takes seven leaps and Aram falls eventually. It takes half an hour for
Mourad to get home as the horse races away. It certainly doesn’t go as he initially wishes but it was an eventful one
for Aram.

13. How people in the Garoghlanian tribe have flesh and spirit differently distributed?

= The Garoghlanian family had a crazy streak. Mourad was considered the natural descendant of uncle Khosrove
as far as the crazy streak was concerned. Mourad’s father, Zorab was practical and nothing else. But Mourad was
his son only in flesh, in the spirit he was similar to uncle Khosrove. Their tribe was composed of fickle and
inconsistent people who were unpredictable and brought a capricious climate in their family.

14. How did Aram understand that Mourad had been riding for over a month? On asking Mourad what did Mourad
reply?

= A search of around thirty minutes got them the horse which had run away dropping Aram. The whole world
was awake then, they to hide the horse away from the eyes of people around. Though Mourad didn’t seem worried
which was quite shocking for Aram. Moreover, when Mourad was asked about where to hide the horse, he
confirmed that he knew the place which made it sure that Mourad was hiding the horse for some time. Aram asked
Mourad whether he had been hiding the horse to which Mourad said no which was a sure lie.

15. Where did Mourad keep the horse? How did Mourad tame the horse?

= Since Mourad had been enjoying early morning ridings, he had to find a safe place to keep the horse. He silently
used to walk the horse every day in the barn of a deserted vineyard which at one time had been the pride of a
farmer named Fetvajian. The vineyard contained some oats and dry alfalfa. According to Mourad, it wasn’t so easy
for him to get the horse to behave so well. To every question of Aram, he had only one reply as he had away with
it, which was a simple and honest one. Mourad shows his childishness as he continues to tell how he had tamed the
horse so well.

16. Why did John Byro come to Aram’s house? What did he say there about his horse? How did uncle Khosrove
react to that?

= John Byro had been an Assyrian who had come one afternoon out of loneliness. Moreover, they had another
guest that afternoon in the form of uncle Khosrove who was already sitting with cigarettes and coffee. John Byro
joined there and out of nowhere he sighing sadly, he mentioned about his horse which was stolen last month and
was still gone. Uncle Khosrove in his own unique way said to pay no attention to it. It was irrelevant for Byro to
cry over a hose when they are having no homeland.

17. What did Mourad and Aram agree upon keeping the horse (duration) and why?

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= Mourad was informed by his cousin that John Byro was questing for his horse when he was trying to repair a
wounded young bird. In order to return the horse, they had to agree upon how much time they would have to keep
then the horse. Aram wanted to keep it and learn horse riding which would take around one around to which
Mourad disagreed and wanted to return it in six months. Mourad wanted the horse to be returned to its true owner
and never wanted to put a scar on their reputation.

18. How did Mourad manage to face off with John Byro with the horse?

= One morning the boys ran into the farmer John Byro who was on his way to the town. Greeting themselves,
John Byro took a close look on the horse and asked its name. He replied the horse’s name to be lovely but it was
difficult for him to believe that the boys could have stolen his horse because their family was well known for
honesty. Moreover, he assured that the horse matches his stolen one tooth by tooth though he could not help the
situation much and went away saying the horse must be the twin of his horse. Mourad had a way out of every
problem as he addresses that in his own childish manner.

19. How had John Byro and uncle Khosrove reacted when the horse was returned?

= There would not have been more elated than John Byro on the earth who had got his horse which was stolen a
month earlier. He runs his surrey that afternoon to Aram’s house where he showed his mother the stolen horse. He
also confirmed that the horse was better tempered and stronger than ever. But uncle Khosrove didn’t seem much
interested and got irritated and shouted to be quiet. In his own way told to pay no attention to it.

20. How does the story deal with moral duty and temptation?

= Even though Mourad and Aram were attracted towards the horse and hid it for a month, they were very much
conscious of their family status as some honest people are known for their honesty alone. In the case of Mourad,
we come to know it when Aram asked him since when he was keeping the horse. He lied first and then said that
he didn’t want both of them to be called liars. Moreover, he leapt upon Aram when Aram said to keep it till he
learns to ride the horse as Mourad didn’t want to be called as stealers. This shows his conscience. In the case of
Aram, he was conscience-stricken science the beginning as when for the first time he saw the horse. There was a
continuous conflict going on in his mind between his temptation and conscience. So, he tried to justify the act of
stealing at times. He said sealing a horse is different from stealing money. By the end of the story, the boys returned
the horse to its true owner the farmer John Byro. This shows their honesty. As a whole, the story revolves around
the temptations of childhood more particularly temptation to ride the horse.

21. How is the theme of honesty winning over predominance in the story?

= Honesty is the best policy in the world. Even though Mourad and Aram were attracted towards the horse and
hide it for a month. In the case of Mourad, we come to know it when Aram asked him since when he is keeping
the horse. He lies “not until this morning” and then he gives the reason for his lie. He says, “I don’t want both of us
to be liars”. At another instance when Aram urged him to keep the horse for a year he says, “Are you inviting a
member of the Garoghlanian family to steal?” This shows his conscience. In case of Aram, he is conscience-stricken
since the beginning as when for the first time he was invited to ride the horse. He stared first at his cousin and then
the horse. There were a pious stillness and humour in each of them which in one hand delighted him and on the
other frightened. He was a bit confused. And there was a continuous conflict going on in his mind between his
temptation and conscience. So, at times he tries to justify the act of stealing. He says stealing a horse for riding is

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different from stealing money. By the end of the story, the boys returned the horse to its true owner. This shows
their honesty. Some other minor themes are- the temptation of childhood as the whole story revolves around their
temptation to ride the horse. It’s out of this desire to ride the horse they go against their family laws and ethics.
They break the age-old tradition of being honest. Although they didn’t think to keep that horse forever
Garoghlanian family was poverty-stricken. They didn’t have any earning source. Aram himself calls their poverty
comical as none of their family members to know from where they get the money to fill their belly, not even head
of the family. But their family is honest. More than their honesty they are proud, to be honest.

22. How did Mourad’s “I have a way …..” turn out to be real in many cases?

= There is no doubt in accepting the fact that Mourad had away with everything. He was way too good with every
sort of creature dwelling on this planet than any other person on the planet. Mourad was really good with animals.
He always had away with them. He used to carefully learn about their behaviour and thus, was able to bring about
an understanding with them which was clear and honest. This is why the horse remained calm when with him
however, it was quite contrary to that when with the author who was unable to manage the horse. In a short span
of time, he was easily capable of establishing a genuine attachment to the animal. He used to take the wish of the
animal into account and not simply force them to do whatever he desired. This is apparent when he tells the
narrator that the horse will let him ride only if it wants to. Also, he let the horse run as long as it desired to run and
didn’t coax him to run more. Even at the end of the story, when they put the horseback in the barn, he lovingly
pats the horse and hugs it. Moreover, it is revealed that the horse had now become much healthy, lively and
stronger. Thus, Mourad in no way had harmed the horse or over-worked him. He had caringly tended to it. He
always used to make animals feel comfortable around him which is why neither the dogs barked nor the bird
struggled against Mourad. He talked to the bird to assure her in some way and carefully tried to help the robin with
its broken wing. This shows that he had great compassion for the animals and always tried to help them. Apart from
the animals, he had good ways to farmers even. The way he handled John Byro shows his capability and eventually
his childish statement “I have a way ….” turns out to be real in many cases.

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