The Summer of the White Beautiful Horse

Answer the following questions:-

1. Did the boys return the horse because they were

conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?
OR
What induced the boys to return the horse to it’s owner?
Ans:-
1. The boys were not truly afraid of getting caught or
punished, but when John Byro trusted them despite
recognizing the horse, it deeply touched their hearts
and awakened their guilt.
2. John Bryo was a poor farmer who had lost his only
horse,whom he had loved dearly and missed him.So,he
had visited the narrator’s house to vent his loss over the
theft.
3. John Byro’s pure-hearted faith in their family's honesty
made them realise the seriousness of their action—he
perhaps recognised the horse as his own, yet didn’t
accuse them.
4. Their decision to return the horse came from a strong
sense of conscience and responsibility to protect their
family’s honour, which meant more to them than the
thrill of riding.
 2. What impression do you form about Khosrove?
OR
What were the peculiarities in Uncle Khosroves
behaviour?
Ans:-
1. Khosrove is portrayed as an impatient, eccentric man
with a fiery temper.

2. He dismisses serious matters with the phrase "It is no

harm; pay no attention to it."

3. He was so irritable that he dismissed serious matters,

including his own son's news that their house was on
fire.

4. He was unreasonable and refused to listen to others,

often cutting them off mid-sentence with his loud
behaviour.

5. His behavior reflects the "crazy streak" mentioned in

the story, showing a comically exaggerated indifference
,irrational behaviour ,to everyday concerns.

3. Who was John Byro? Why had he come to the

narrator’s house?
Ans:-
 1. John Byro was an Assyrian farmer and a frequent visitor
to the narrator’s home. He worked as a farmer but, out of
loneliness, he had learned to speak Armenian. Perhaps
he’d settled somewhere in Armenia, ten miles from
the narrator’s house.

2. He was the real owner of the white horse that Mourad

had secretly taken.

3. He came to the narrator’s house to express(vent out) his

sadness over the theft of his horse ,which was stolen a
month before, only hoping to find emotional support or a
lead.

4. Why could Aram not believe what he saw that

morning?
Ans:-
1. Aram was shocked to see Mourad sitting on a
beautiful white horse at daybreak.

2. They were extremely poor and could’nt afford a horse.

3. Since their family was known for honesty and moral

integrity for eleven centuries. the idea of Mourad
stealing a horse seemed unbelievable to him. Even
 though they were extremely poor and couldn’t afford a
horse, Aram believed that no one in their family could
ever steal, regardless of hardship.

4. Mourad, although fun-loving and adventurous, was still a

Garoghlanian, and Aram could not associate the act of
theft with his cousin’s character who belonged to such
an upright lineage could not commit the heinous act of
theft.

5. To reconcile his desire to ride the horse with his

conscience, Aram convinced himself that borrowing the
horse for fun wasn’t truly stealing.

6. His astonishment stemmed from a clash between his

desire to ride and his moral upbringing.

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

Ans:-

1. Yes, John Byro recognized his horse by its physical

features like teeth and behavior. . John swore that the
horse was the twin of his own one and some suspicious
 mind could take it to be his own as its teeth and
everything were like those of his one.

2. However despite the fact that he had recognised his

horse,he chose not to accuse the boys because he had
unwavering faith in their family's reputation for
honesty.

3. His indirect warning and gentle approach made the boys

feel guilty, prompting them to return the horse
silently and made them feel the fact that stealing is a
wrong act.

6.“I couldn’t believe what I saw.” What was so

incredible to the speaker? Who is the speaker here?

Ans:-

1. The speaker is Aram, the young narrator of the story.

2. He saw Mourad on a white horse before sunrise, which

utterly shocked him.

3. It was incredible because their family couldn’t afford a

horse and they were known for never stealing.
7. Why did the boys return the horse so early?
Ans:-
1. After their secret rides, the boys encountered John Byro,
the horse’s real owner.
2. Though he didn’t accuse them, he mentioned how much
he missed his horse and trusted their honesty.
3. Feeling guilty and ashamed, they returned the horse early
the next morning to his barn.

8. Why was the sight of Mourad’s horse both delightful

and frightening for Aram?
Ans:-
1. Aram had always dreamed of riding a horse, so the sight
thrilled him.
2. But he also knew it was likely stolen, which frightened
him.
3. He was torn between excitement and the fear of doing
something wrong.
9. Compare and contrast the characters of Mourad and
Aram.
Ans:-
1. Mourad was daring, bold, and full of passion, while
Aram was honest, innocent, and thoughtful.
2. Mourad stole the horse for fun and lied easily, but
Aram struggled to justify it.
3. Mourad had a talent for handling animals, while Aram
was more cautious and obedient.

10. What impression do you form of the narrator (Aram)

after reading the story?

Ans:-
1. Aram was a kind-hearted, honest, and curious nine-
year-old boy.
2. He loved horses but also valued the truth and
respected his family’s reputation.
3. His narration shows a balance between childlike
wonder and moral awareness.

11. The narrator mentioned ‘a crazy streak’ running in his

family. Which two characters showed this streak in their
behavior and words?
Ans:-
1. The two characters were Mourad and Uncle Khosrove.
2. Mourad showed craziness through his bold actions
like stealing the horse and singing while riding.
3. Uncle Khosrove showed it through his constant anger
and showing his absurd and irrational behaviour by
shouting “It is no harm; pay no attention to it” in
every situation.

12. Why was Aram unwilling to return the horse so soon?

Ans:-
1. Aram loved riding and feared he wouldn’t get another
chance soon.
2. He believed he needed time to learn riding properly
before returning it .
3. This reveals his determination and genuine passion for
horsemanship.

13. Describe Aram’s first solo ride on the horse.

Ans:-
1. Aram mounted the horse alone but it remained still until
he kicked its flanks.
2. The horse then bolted, racing through vineyards and
clearing seven rows of vines .
3. He lost control and was thrown off — an exhilarating yet
painful lesson in humility.

14. Explain the meaning of “vazire” and its significance.

Ans:-
1. “Vazire” is Armenian for “my heart” — the affectionate
name given to the horse
2. The name reflects Mourad’s deep emotional bond with
the horse.
3. It shows how, to them, the horse was more companion
than property.
4. This name heightens the moral dilemma—they’re not
stealing an animal, but stealing a friend.

15. What does the white horse symbolize in the story?

Ans:-
1. The horse symbolizes freedom, representing the boys’
escape from poverty.
 2. It contrasts their honest heritage with the moral
ambiguity of taking the horse.
3. The horse serves as a mirror for their internal conflict —
thrill versus conscience.

16. How does John Byro’s final reaction highlight the story’s
moral theme?
Ans:-
1. Byro recognizes the horse but, valuing the family’s
honesty, refuses to accuse them
2. His restraint appeals to their sense of honor, triggering
their immediate remorse.
3. This underscores the theme: integrity holds more
power than fear or punishment.

17. Why did Aram justify Mourad’s act of “taking” the

horse?

Ans:-
1. He argued that stealing a horse for a ride was not
comparable to stealing money or goods
2. He believed that being “crazy about horses” placed them
outside conventional definitions of theft .
 3. Since they had no intention of selling the horse, Aram
convinced himself it wasn’t really stealing.

18. What did Mourad reply when Aram asked if he had

stolen the horse?

Ans:-
1. Mourad evaded the question with, “Who said anything
about stealing a horse?”.
2. His response both deflected blame and reinforced
Aram’s justifications.
3. The reply reveals Mourad’s confidence and habit of
bending truth to serve his purposes.

19. Describe Mourad’s courage and moral growth in the

story.
Ans:-
1. It took courage for a thirteen-year-old to ride a large,
unknown horse
2. His real bravery, however, lay in returning the horse—
despite emotional attachment .
3. This act marks his moral growth, from thrill-seeker to
honorable boy.
20. Where did Mourad conceal the horse, and what did
Aram notice?
Ans:-
1. Mourad hid the horse in an abandoned barn on
Fetvajian's vineyard .
2. Aram noticed evidence of oats and bedding, proving the
horse had been kept for days.
3. This discovery shifted Aram’s view—Mourad hadn’t just
borrowed the horse; he had been planning to keep it.

21. How does the Garoghlanian tribe’s reputation influence

the story?
Ans:-
1. The tribe was renowned for eleven centuries of honesty
and pride .
2. This reputation causes Aram to resist believing his cousin
could steal.
3. It also triggers the boys’ conscience when John Byro
references their family honor, motivating them to return
the horse.

22. Explain the significance of Aram’s solo ride on the horse.

1. Aram had to kick the horse to start it; it then galloped
wildly into a vineyard.
 2. He fell after the horse jumped over seven rows of
vines—an intense lesson in humility
3. This incident symbolizes the thin line between daring
adventure and reckless impulsiveness.

23. What is the central moral or theme of the story?

Ans:-
1. The story explores the conflict between temptation and
moral values.
2. It shows how family reputation and conscience can guide
children back to honesty.
3. It teaches that doing the right thing often requires more
courage than doing the wrong.

24. How is irony used in the story?

Ans:-
1. The boys belong to an honest family but end up stealing
a horse.
2. The horse’s real owner recognizes it but doesn’t accuse
them out of respect for their family’s values.
3. The irony lies in the fact that a moral lesson is learned
not through punishment, but through silent trust.

25. What do the repaired robin and white horse symbolize

together?
Ans:-
1. The robin with a healed wing symbolizes care, healing,
and freedom.
2. The white horse represents passion, adventure, and the
desire to break boundaries.
3. Together, they reflect Mourad’s emotional depth and the
boys’ yearning for independence.

26. Why is the story titled “The Summer of the Beautiful

White Horse”?
Ans:-
1. The title captures the essence of a special time in Aram’s
childhood.
2. The horse represents beauty, fantasy, and a once-in-a-
lifetime experience.
3. The title reflects both the adventure and the emotional
growth of the narrator.

27. How does the author use humor to lighten serious

themes?
Ans:-
1. Uncle Khosrove’s absurd anger and catchphrase add
comic relief to tense moments.
2. The boys’ childish reasoning and adventures create a
light-hearted tone.
 3. The humor makes the story engaging while still
delivering a strong moral message.

28. In what ways is Aram a reliable narrator?

Ans:-
1. Aram narrates the story with honesty, innocence, and
emotional depth.
2. He openly admits his moral confusion and admiration for
Mourad.
3. His reflections allow readers to understand both sides—
temptation and conscience.

Q29. What traits of the tribe to which the boys belong

have been highlighted in the story?
Ans:-
1. The boys belonged to the Garoghlanian tribe, which
was known for its honesty, integrity, and high moral
values.
2. Even though the tribe was very poor, they never stole or
lied—honesty was more valuable than wealth for
them.
3. Their family honour and reputation were deeply
respected and never questioned in society.
4. The tribe also had a “crazy streak”, meaning some
members behaved in strange, bold, or unpredictable ways
(like Uncle Khosrove and Mourad).
 5. These traits of honesty, pride, and eccentricity shaped
the boys' behaviour and led them to return the horse out
of conscience.

Q30. How can we say that Aram and Mourad were fond of
riding?
Ans:-
1. Aram confesses that his “first longings had been to ride
a horse”, revealing his deep childhood desire.
2. They enjoyed riding at 4:00 a.m. when it was still
dark. They used to race the horse across fields,
vineyards, orchards, irrigation ditches and country
roads.
3. Mourad, despite knowing their poverty, risked stealing
a horse purely for the joy of riding, not for gain.
4. He kept the horse hidden for over a month, riding it
each morning before showing it to Aram.
5. Aram, although aware that the act was wrong, could not
resist the thrill, showing his fascination with horse
riding.
6. Their decision to delay returning the horse shows that
both boys were dreamy, passionate, and deeply fond of
riding.

Q31.Mourad said, “I have a way with the horse.” Do you

agree? Give an example to prove your point.
Ans:-
 1. Yes, Mourad clearly had a special skill with horses, as he
was able to ride and manage the horse without any
difficulty.
2. When Aram tried to ride the same horse, it behaved
wildly and threw him off, but it remained calm and
obedient with Mourad.
3. Mourad’s confident handling of the horse, despite
having no formal training, proves that he had a
natural ability to connect with animals.

Q32. Describe Mourad’s parting with the horse.

Ans:-
1. Mourad had spent some time looking after the horse
with great care and love, even though it was not his own.
2. The horse had become stronger and better tempered
under Mourad’s care, showing his natural ability with
animals.
3. Before leaving the horse in John Byro’s vineyard,
Mourad put his arms around its neck, pressed his nose
into the horse’s nose, and gently patted it, showing his
deep affection and emotional connection.

Q33. Why did John Byro visit Aram’s house in his surrey
after getting his horse back?
Ans:-
1. John Byro was overwhelmed with joy upon finding his
stolen horse returned in excellent condition and visited
 Aram’s house in his surrey to personally share his
happiness.

2. He showed the horse to Aram’s mother and informed her

that, mysteriously, the animal had come back healthier
and better-tempered than before.

3. Living nearest to the family, he expressed his gratitude

and wonder at the miracle, saying he didn’t know what
to think of the situation and had simply thanked God.

Q3. Mourad was the natural descendant of the crazy

streak of Uncle Khosrove. Explain.
In ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’, Mourad is
described as the natural heir to Uncle Khosrove’s legendary
craziness, though not biologically. Both shared an unusual
temperament and eccentric actions.
• Uncle Khosrove was known for his loud voice and
famous line, “It is no harm; pay no attention to it,” even
when his house was on fire.
• He dismissed problems without logic and scolded anyone
who disagreed.
• Mourad, too, showed irrational behaviour. He stole a
horse just for riding, justifying it by saying he had “a
way with horses.”
 • He was passionate, carefree, and ignored moral
consequences like Khosrove.
Both men reflected a humorous, carefree streak that ran in the
Garoghlanian tribe.
Conclusion:
Mourad’s wild actions and strange logic proved that he was
indeed the spiritual successor of Uncle Khosrove’s crazy
streak.

Long Answer Questions

Q1. Mourad was the natural descendant of the crazy
streak of Uncle Khosrove. Explain.(5 marks)
Ans:-In the story ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’,
Mourad is portrayed as having inherited the unusual and
eccentric nature of Uncle Khosrove, a well-known character
in the Garoghlanian tribe.
• Uncle Khosrove was famous for his odd behaviour, loud
voice, and dismissive attitude toward serious matters,
including emergencies.
• He never gave logical responses and often reacted in
extreme ways, showing little concern for consequences.
• Mourad, though not his direct descendant, behaved in a
similarly unconventional manner. He took a horse
without permission, not seeing it as theft, but as a way to
fulfil his passion for riding.
• His calm attitude and confidence despite wrongdoing
resembled Khosrove’s personality.
Conclusion:
Mourad's actions and mindset clearly reflected the same streak
of madness and recklessness that Uncle Khosrove was known
for, making him a true heir to that peculiar family trait.

Q2. Listening to the conscience helps one to do the right.

Give your own view in context to the chapter “The
Summer of the Beautiful White Horse”.
Ans:-

Introduction:
Conscience is the inner voice that helps us differentiate
between right and wrong. It acts as a moral guide. In “The
Summer of the Beautiful White Horse”, the boys’ conscience
plays an important role in guiding them back to the path of
honesty.

Body (in points):

1. Mourad stole the horse, not to sell or harm it, but only
to enjoy the experience of riding, as both he and Aram
were fond of horses.
2. Even after knowing it was wrong, the boys continued to
hide the horse and ride it daily, justifying it to
themselves as harmless fun.
3. When they met John Byro, the true owner, he
recognised the horse but didn’t accuse them. Instead, he
expressed his full faith in the honesty of their family.
 4. This deep trust and gentle behaviour awakened their
guilty conscience, especially Mourad’s, who realised
that they were silently betraying that trust.
5. The next morning, they returned the horse to its
rightful owner, not out of fear, but because their
conscience guided them to do the right thing.

Conclusion:
The story proves that conscience is our moral compass. It
never supports dishonesty. When we choose to listen to it, we
are naturally guided back to truth and responsibility. Mourad
and Aram returned the horse not because of fear, but because
their conscience reminded them of their family’s values and
honour.

Q3. You will probably agree that this story does not have
breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what in
your opinion makes it interesting?
Ans:-

Introduction:
Although The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse lacks
fast-paced adventure or thrilling action, it remains highly
engaging due to its emotional depth, moral conflict, and
subtle suspense.

Body (in points):

 1. The story offers a psychological adventure, as it
explores the inner conflict between desire and honesty
in two young boys.
2. Mourad steals a white horse only to fulfil his dream of
riding, and both boys try to justify it by saying they
meant no harm.
3. Their actions—riding and hiding a stolen horse—may
seem simple, but for them it was thrilling and bold.
4. The turning point comes when they are spotted by John
Byro, who trusts them blindly due to their family’s
reputation for honesty.
5. This emotional climax and the boys’ guilt-driven
decision to return the horse give the story its moral
weight and lasting impression.

Conclusion:
The story’s charm lies not in wild adventure but in its subtle
suspense, emotional maturity, and moral resolution. The
innocence of the boys, their inner struggle, and their final
choice make the narrative both meaningful and memorable.