Try it yourself with the help of your S.S. teacher.

It is true that the story ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ doesn’t have any breath taking adventure. Nor does it contain any exciting action. The story revolves round two poor Armenian boys Aram and Mourad. It describes their passion for horse-riding. Passion for riding makes Mourad steal a beautiful white horse. But trust and honesty are the hallmarks of their tribe. They maintain the fame and pride of their family. They return the horse to its rightful owner. The writer William Saroyan weaves a simple story into an interesting tale. The description is lucid and simple. The pace is relaxed but natural. The story keeps the readers engaged till the end.

Certainly, the storyline lacks puffs and punches. But the narrator holds the interest of the readers. He reveals the natural urge of children for fun and adventure. Garoghlanians are poor but proud and honest people. They consider that stealing a horse for fun and riding is not stealing. After all, they are not going to sell it. But ultimately, the pride and honesty of their tribe overpower their childish pranks. They decide to return the horse to its rightful owner John Byro.

Ultimately, Aram and Mourad returned the horse to its rightful owner, John Byro. It gives birth to two questions. Were they conscience-stricken or afraid? The answer is very simple. They were conscience-stricken. Both of them belonged to the Garoghlanian family. The family had earned name and fame for integrity and honesty. No member of the tribe could ever be accused of dishonesty or any shady deal. Aram and Mourad dared not break that glorious tradition. They had to maintain the good name and honesty of Garoghlanians. Hence, they overcame their childish passions and pranks. They decided to return the horse to Byro. Yes, they feared too. They feared to be considered as thieves. They feared lest they should put their tribe to shame by their action.

No doubt, there came moments when both Aram and Mourad justified the stealing of the horse. Stealing a horse for riding and fun was not the same as stealing and selling it for money. Hence, Mourad stole the horse and hid it in the barn. Pangs of conscience pricked them. Hence, they decided to return the horse to its rightful owner.

Nostalgia is a mixed feeling. This feeling comes to us when we think of happy times in the past. The story begins in a mood of nostalgia: ‘One day back there in the good old days ....’ Everyone is faced with such a mood now and then. And I am no exception.

I remember those good old days of my childhood. I was just a boy of nine, then. My family was the poorest family in the village. But we were proud of our family. Everyone respected us for our integrity and honesty. I was considered to be a worthy descendant of the family.

Our school was about a km away from the village. On the way, there was an apple orchard. My classfellows got the wind that the gardener was away on some job in the town. That was a sure signal for mischief. They sneaked into the orchard. They dragged me too with them. To tell you the truth, I too was tempted. I plucked some apples. I justified my action. I thought plucking apples for eating was not the same thing as stealing them. After all, I was not going to sell them.

Then came the pangs of conscience. I feared that it would bring a bad name to my family. I overcame my temptation. In the evening, I went to the gardener and returned all the apples.