The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse
By William Saroyan
Grade 11 CBSE
Learning Objectives
Discuss the moral dilemma faced by the characters and their internal conflict.
Analyze how personal values and family reputation influence decision-making.
Reflect on how honesty and pride are challenged through temptation and youth.
Learning Outcome:
Students will be able to evaluate ethical choices in real-life situations by connecting them to
literary experiences.
Chapter Summary
The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse is a short story that revolves around two Armenian
boys, Aram and Mourad, who belong to the Garoghlanian tribe known for its strict honesty.
Mourad brings home a beautiful white horse that he had taken without the owner’s knowledge,
claiming it was only for fun and not truly stolen. Aram, though conflicted, joins him in riding the
horse, fascinated by the experience. Over time, guilt builds up as they realize their actions
contradict their family values. Eventually, Mourad returns the horse, preserving the family's
honor. The story explores themes such as moral conflict, integrity, childhood innocence, and
cultural pride. It reflects how deep-rooted values and the influence of family reputation guide
young individuals through internal struggles and help them distinguish right from wrong, even
when faced with temptation.
Key Vocabulary
Mourning – Expressing sorrow or grief
Vagrant – A person who moves around without a fixed home
Stealthily – In a secretive or quiet manner to avoid being noticed
Trot – The pace between walking and running for a horse
Pious – Deeply religious or spiritual
Irrigation – Artificial watering of crops or farmland
Leap – To jump suddenly or energetically
Distant – Emotionally or physically detached
About the Author
William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer known for capturing the spirit of everyday
people and immigrant life. His stories often reflect warmth, nostalgia, and moral themes.
Saroyan believed in the goodness of human beings, and his characters often face dilemmas that
test their values. In The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse, he uses a child's perspective to
highlight honesty and identity in a culturally rich setting.
KWL Chart
What I Know: Stealing is wrong, but sometimes people justify small wrongs for excitement or
fun.
What I Want to Know: How do children understand right and wrong when influenced by
family values?
What I Learned: Even innocent actions, if dishonest, can hurt a family's honor and must be
corrected.
Venn Diagram – Aram vs Mourad
Aram: Thoughtful, morally unsure, inexperienced with horses
Mourad: Confident, spontaneous, sees wrong as harmless fun
Both: Love adventure, belong to a proud and honest tribe, and share a strong cousin bond
Cross Curricular Link (CCL)
The story links to Ethics and Moral Education by focusing on personal integrity, and to History
by reflecting cultural pride of Armenian heritage. It also connects to SDG Goal 16: Peace,
Justice, and Strong Institutions, as it discusses honesty, justice, and family values as cornerstones
of a healthy society.
Real Life Connection
In real life, students may face moments when they are tempted to take or use something without
permission, especially among friends or peers. The story teaches that even if something is taken
without bad intention, it’s still important to think about what’s right, especially when it affects
trust and one’s values.
UAE/Global Citizenship Question
How can strong personal and cultural values help students make the right choices in situations
involving peer pressure?
Group Task
Task: In groups, create a short skit (2–3 minutes) showing an imagined conversation between
Aram and Mourad after the horse is returned. Highlight emotions like guilt, relief, and lessons
learned.
Notebook Reflection: Students write a short summary of their skit and what the group learned
from the discussion.
Pair Work
Task: In pairs, identify three values upheld by the Garoghlanian tribe and write a short paragraph
on how these values are relevant in today’s world.
HOTS Question
If the tribe is known for honesty, how do you think Mourad justified taking the horse? Can
cultural identity sometimes clash with individual desires?
Research-Oriented Task
Research about a real-life figure (such as a leader, activist, or historical figure) who had to make
a difficult ethical decision. Write a short summary on what values influenced their choice and
what the outcome was.
Hint: Think of someone who returned something valuable, told the truth in a crisis, or acted with
integrity under pressure.
Case Study-Based Question
Imagine a student borrows something expensive from a friend without asking, planning to return
it later. How is this situation similar to Aram and Mourad’s?
Guidance: Reflect on intention, consequences, and how the decision affects trust and
relationships.
Creative Writing Task (Optional)
Write a diary entry from Aram’s point of view the night after the horse was returned. Describe
his emotions, thoughts about Mourad’s actions, and how he feels about their family’s values now.
Short Answer Questions (50–70 words)
Q1: Why was it surprising for Mourad to have a horse?
Mourad came from a poor family that could never afford a horse, and his tribe was known for its
honesty. Seeing him with a horse seemed both impossible and suspicious, especially since no one
would expect someone from their family to steal.
Q2: What was Aram’s initial reaction to seeing the horse?
Aram was shocked and confused. Although he was aware that Mourad couldn't afford a horse, he
wanted to believe it wasn’t stolen. His excitement overpowered his doubt, showing the internal
conflict between desire and moral upbringing.
Q3: How does the story show the importance of family reputation?
The Garoghlanian family prided itself on honesty. Even though Mourad took the horse, he
ultimately returned it, proving that the family's reputation influenced his decisions. The pressure
to uphold their family’s image shaped both boys' actions.
Q4: What role does Mourad play in shaping Aram’s understanding of honesty?
Mourad’s actions blur the line between fun and dishonesty. Through this experience, Aram
begins to question and understand the complexity of being honest—not just in actions but in
intentions, and how even “borrowing” can challenge moral values.
Q5: What does the return of the horse symbolize in the story?
The act of returning the horse symbolizes the triumph of family values over personal desire. It
reflects maturity, moral clarity, and a deep respect for their heritage. It restores both inner peace
and the family’s untainted image.
Long Answer Questions (120–150 words)
Q1: Discuss how the story explores the theme of honesty through the actions of Aram and
Mourad.
The story explores honesty as a deeply rooted value within the Garoghlanian tribe. Despite
belonging to a poor family, Mourad takes the horse, believing that as long as he doesn’t sell it, it
isn't theft. Aram, though hesitant, is tempted and goes along. The narrative shows that while
youthful excitement may cloud judgment, inner conscience and family values eventually prevail.
Mourad returns the horse not because of fear but because of pride in their tribe’s integrity.
Aram’s experience with the horse and the moral confusion it brings helps him grow. The story
suggests that true honesty goes beyond technical definitions; it is about doing the right thing
even when no one is watching.
Q2: How does the story reflect the conflict between individual desires and societal
expectations?
The story presents a classic conflict where individual desires—adventure, thrill, and personal joy
—clash with societal and cultural expectations like honesty and honor. Mourad wants to ride a
horse and enjoy the experience, despite knowing it goes against the tribe’s code. Aram’s internal
struggle reflects the difficulty young people face when making ethical decisions. However, the
eventual return of the horse represents the strength of upbringing and societal norms. The story
teaches that while temptation is natural, the ability to control it and uphold values is what defines
one’s character. In this sense, societal expectations are not restrictions, but guiding principles that
shape responsible behavior.
Exit Slip – 3-2-1 Reflection
3 things I learned from the story:
1.
2.
3.
2 values I think are most important in life:
1.
2.
1 question I still have:
