1 The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse by William Saroyan 11

 The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse

 by William Saroyan 

Long Summary 

The story is told by a nine-year-old boy named Aram, who belongs to the Garoghlanian tribe, a family known for its strict honesty, even though they are very poor. The Garoghlanians are proud of their values, especially that they never steal or lie, no matter how difficult life becomes.

One morning, Aram is woken up by his 13-year-old cousin Mourad, who is sitting on a beautiful white horse outside his window. Aram is shocked and confused. He loves horses but knows that their family cannot afford one. He wonders if Mourad has stolen the horse, but he can’t believe it, because Mourad—like all Garoghlanians—is supposed to be honest. Mourad invites Aram to go for a ride, and even though Aram is unsure, his desire to ride a horse wins over his doubts.

As the two boys ride, Aram feels the thrill and joy of being on a horse for the first time. Mourad is calm and in control of the horse, which surprises Aram because no one in their family owns horses or has learned to ride. Mourad says he has a natural gift with animals. After their ride, Mourad hides the horse in an abandoned vineyard and tells Aram not to worry—it’s just borrowed.

For the next two weeks, the boys enjoy riding the horse every morning before anyone wakes up. Aram tries to learn how to ride, but often falls off. Meanwhile, a farmer named John Byro, who is of Assyrian descent and knows the boys' family, visits Aram’s house. He tells them sadly that his white horse was stolen a month ago and that he misses it terribly.

Later, Byro meets the boys while they are with the horse. He recognizes it immediately but doesn’t accuse them. Instead, he says he trusts the honesty of the Garoghlanian family so much that he cannot believe it’s his stolen horse—even though it clearly is. This moment makes Mourad and Aram feel guilty. Mourad realizes they cannot keep the horse any longer without dishonoring their family’s name.

The very next morning, the boys quietly return the horse to Byro’s stable. Later, Byro visits Aram’s house again, excited and happy. He tells them that his horse returned on its own and is now even better behaved and healthier than before. Mourad says nothing, and Uncle Khosrove, known for his loud and dismissive attitude, again says, “It is no harm. Pay no attention to it,” brushing it off completely.

NCERT Book Questions and Answers

Q1. You will probably agree that this story does not have breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what in your opinion makes it interesting?

Answer:
Yes, this story does not have breathless adventure and exciting action, but it is still very interesting because of:

• The strong values of the Garoghlanian family (honesty, pride, and tradition).

• The childhood innocence of Aram and Mourad.

• The moral conflict between right and wrong.

• The way the boys deal with the situation in a funny yet thoughtful way.

The humour, emotions, and moral lessons keep the reader engaged.

Q2. Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?

Answer:
The boys returned the horse because they felt guilty.
They came from a family known for honesty, and they didn’t want to bring shame to their family name. When John Byro saw the horse but still trusted their honesty, Mourad realized it was wrong to keep it. They were not afraid of punishment, but they were conscience-stricken.

Q3. “One day back there in the good old days when I was nine…” – What does this tell you about the narrator’s tone?

 Answer: This line shows that the narrator, Aram, is remembering the past with fondness and nostalgia.
The tone is warm, reflective, and slightly humorous, as he looks back at a childhood memory that was full of adventure and learning.

Q4. What traits of the Garoghlanian tribe are highlighted in the story?

Answer: The story shows that the Garoghlanian tribe:

• Valued honesty, honour, and reputation above all.

• Were poor but never stole or lied.

• Had a unique sense of pride, even in hardship.

• Enjoyed life, nature, and simple pleasures.

Their moral values were more important than material wealth.

Q5. What role does John Byro play in the story?

Answer: John Byro is a kind and trusting farmer.

• His role is important because he knows the horse is his, but he still chooses to trust the boys and their family’s reputation.

• His trust makes the boys realize their mistake and return the horse.
  So, he helps in bringing the moral message of the story to life—honesty always wins.

Word Meanings 

Word / Phrase	Meaning (Simple English)
Surrey	A four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage
Pious	Very religious or morally good
Vineyard	A farm where grapevines are grown
Stole / Steal	To take something without permission
Borrow	To take something with the intention to return it
Moral conflict	A situation where someone struggles between right and wrong
Garoghlanian tribe	Aram's family group, known for honesty
Conscience-stricken	Feeling guilty about doing something wrong
Despair	Feeling of sadness or hopelessness
Unshaven	Not shaved (usually for a beard or face)
Mourad	Aram’s cousin, a boy who acts a little wild but has a kind heart
Wavering	Not steady; moving back and forth
Trot	A moderate speed of a horse (faster than walking)
Staggering	Walking in an unsteady or shaking way
Abandoned	Left behind, not used anymore
Ornery	Stubborn or bad-tempered (used for animals too)
Irritated	Annoyed or angry
Innocence	Being pure or unaware of wrong
Poverty	The state of being very poor
Stealthily	In a secret or quiet way to avoid being seen
Burying face in hands	Showing deep emotion, often shame or sadness