THE SUMMER OF THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE
William Saroyan’s The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse feels like a warm memory from
childhood, set in a quiet Armenian village where life is simple but values run deep. Aram and
Mourad, two young cousins, come from a family known for honesty, which makes it all the
more surprising when Mourad shows up with a horse they clearly didn’t own. Aram is torn—
he’s thrilled by the idea of riding, yet uneasy about the fact that it might be wrong. This
moment captures how morality isn’t always black and white; sometimes, it bends under the
weight of dreams and wonder. Mourad, wild and full of spirit, seems to live in a world of his
own, while Aram is more grounded, trying to make sense of it all. The irony is gentle but
sharp: the boys are proud of their family's reputation, yet they’re hiding a secret that could
ruin it. The horse itself isn’t just a horse—it’s a symbol of freedom, innocence, and the magic
of being young. Saroyan doesn’t judge them; instead, he shows how growing up means
facing hard choices, and how sometimes, the most beautiful things come with a bit of
trouble.
* Aram
Aram is the young narrator of the story—thoughtful, curious, and deeply rooted in the
values of his Armenian tribe. He’s torn between his excitement over the horse and his
understanding of right and wrong. His innocence and moral dilemma make him relatable, as
he tries to justify Mourad’s actions while clinging to the belief that their family could never
truly steal. Aram represents the inner conflict of growing up—when dreams clash with
reality.
* Mourad
Mourad is Aram’s older cousin and the story’s wild spirit. He’s bold, passionate, and a bit
eccentric, often talking to animals and believing in the impossible. Mourad lives by his own
rules, guided more by emotion than logic. Despite taking the horse, he never sees himself as
a thief—he’s simply chasing beauty and freedom. Mourad symbolizes imagination, rebellion,
and the magic of childhood that refuses to be boxed in by adult definitions of morality.
* Uncle Khosrove
Uncle Khosrove is a comic figure known for his explosive temper and his catchphrase, “It is
no harm; pay no attention to it.” He dismisses every crisis with this line, whether it’s a stolen
horse or a burning house. Though exaggerated, he adds humor and highlights the
Garoghlanian tribe’s quirky charm. His character also reflects a kind of emotional
detachment, perhaps born from hardship.
* John Byro
John Byro is the farmer who owns the horse. He’s gentle, trusting, and deeply respectful of
the Garoghlanian family’s reputation. When he suspects the boys have his horse, he chooses
THE SUMMER OF THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE
not to accuse them, believing in their honesty. His quiet wisdom and restraint show how
trust can be more powerful than punishment. He represents the adult world’s grace and the
hope that children will find their way back to what’s right.
* The White Horse
Though not human, the horse is a central character. It stands for freedom, beauty, and the
innocence of youth. To Mourad and Aram, it’s more than an animal—it’s a dream come to
life. The horse’s presence drives the plot and reflects the boys’ longing for adventure and
escape from their modest lives.
Though it lacks fast-paced action, The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse captivates
through its emotional depth and gentle storytelling. Set in a quiet Armenian village, it
explores childhood innocence, moral dilemmas, and the beauty of imagination. The bond
between Aram and Mourad, their contrasting personalities, and their internal conflict over
“borrowing” a horse make the story rich and relatable. Irony adds charm—the boys uphold
their tribe’s honesty while hiding a stolen horse. The white horse symbolizes freedom and
lost innocence, while the story’s warmth lies in its subtle humor, vivid characters, and the
bittersweet realization that growing up means facing hard truths.
The boys returned the horse more out of conscience than fear. Aram and Mourad belonged
to the Garoghlanian tribe, which was deeply proud of its reputation for honesty. Even
though Mourad tried to justify keeping the horse as a temporary adventure, both boys knew
in their hearts that it went against their family's values. When John Byro, the horse’s owner,
saw the animal but chose to trust the boys instead of accusing them, it stirred a sense of
guilt and responsibility. That quiet trust acted like a mirror, reflecting their moral conflict. It
wasn’t fear of punishment—it was respect for honor.
QUESTION BANK
Q1 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.
In The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse, the narrator mentions a “crazy streak” in his
family, seen in Mourad and Uncle Khosrove. Mourad steals a horse just to ride it, claiming it
isn’t stealing since he plans to return it. His love for horses and imaginative reasoning reflect
eccentricity. Uncle Khosrove, known for his explosive temper, dismisses serious matters with
“It is no harm; pay no attention to it,” even when someone’s house is on fire. His irrational
responses and loud behavior make him appear absurd. Both characters show the family's
passionate, unpredictable nature that the narrator calls “crazy.”
THE SUMMER OF THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE
Q2What are the unique traits of the Garoghlanian tribe?
Q3Fill in the blank with an appropriate word/ phrase.
John Byro had learned to speak Armenian in order to_________________.
John Byro had learned to speak Armenian in order to communicate more easily with the
Garoghlanian tribe, especially since they were Armenian and valued their cultural identity.
His ability to speak their language also reflected his trust and closeness with the community,
which made his reaction to the missing horse more emotional than confrontational.
Q4 What do we gather about Aram’s mother’s character from the little role that the author
offers her?
Though Aram’s mother plays a minor role in The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse, her
character reflects quiet strength and traditional values. She appears calm, grounded, and
morally upright—someone who upholds the Garoghlanian tribe’s reputation for honesty and
integrity. Her presence suggests a stabilizing influence in the household, even if she doesn’t
directly intervene in Mourad’s mischief. Through her subtle portrayal, we understand that
she represents the tribe’s conscience, quietly guiding her family with dignity and restraint.
Q5 Why could John Byro not believe that the boys would have stolen the horse? OR
What was John Byro's reaction upon getting back his stolen horse?
Q6 You are Aram from the story The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse. While you were
extremely happy when you saw the horse but were not pleased when you found the reality
for it to be with Mourad. Write a diary entry in about 120-150 words as Aram expressing
your confusion about the situation and the potential consequences of one’s choices. You
may start like this:
XX September 20XX
10:00 p.m.
Dear Diary,
Today, I faced a tough decision. Should I tell on Mourad or keep his secret? I …
14 September 20XX
10:00
p.m.
Dear Diary,
Today, I faced a tough decision. Should I tell on Mourad or keep his secret? I was thrilled
when I saw the beautiful white horse—it felt like a dream come true. But when I learned
Mourad had taken it without permission, my joy turned into confusion. Our tribe is known
for honesty, and stealing goes against everything we stand for. Yet Mourad didn’t seem like a
THE SUMMER OF THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE
thief. He was full of passion and love for the horse, not greed. I didn’t know whether to
admire his spirit or worry about the consequences. What if someone finds out? What if John
Byro reports it? I fear this small act could damage our family’s reputation. Still, I couldn’t
bring myself to betray Mourad. I just hope we return the horse soon and no harm is done.
Choices have consequences—and I’m learning that the hard way.
– Aram