Short & Long Question, Answer - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse | English Class 11 PDF Download

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1: “I couldn’t believe what I saw,” says the narrator. What was so unbelievable? Why?
Answer:  The narrator couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw his cousin Mourad riding a beautiful white horse. It was unbelievable because their family was very poor, and such a magnificent horse was far beyond their means. The family’s poverty made it hard to imagine how they could afford such an expensive horse.

Question 2: What two character traits of Mourad are hinted at by the narrator in the initial part of the story?
Answer:  The narrator mentions that Mourad was considered crazy by everyone except him. He had a love for horses and enjoyed life more than anyone else. His passion for adventure and his carefree attitude toward life stand out early in the story.

Question 3: “This was the part that wouldn’t permit me to believe what I saw.” What ‘part’ does the narrator hint at?
Answer:  The narrator refers to the Garoghlanian family’s extreme poverty. Their family barely had enough money for food, so it was impossible for them to afford something as valuable as a beautiful white horse. This made the situation hard for the narrator to believe.

Question 4: What traits of the Garoghlanian family are highlighted in this story?
Answer:  The Garoghlanian family, although poor, was known for its honesty. They were extremely proud of their family’s integrity and never took advantage of anyone. They would never steal or engage in dishonest behavior. Their family reputation for honesty was important to them.

Question 5: How did the narrator react to seeing the horse and Mourad?
Answer: The narrator was amazed by the beautiful horse, which smelled lovely and was exciting to be around. However, he couldn’t believe that the horse could be connected to Mourad, as he was aware that their family could not afford such a luxury.

Question 6: What conflicting thoughts passed through the narrator’s mind on seeing Mourad on a beautiful white horse early one morning?
Answer:  The narrator was initially shocked, as he knew Mourad couldn’t afford such a horse. His first thought was that Mourad must have stolen it. However, he hesitated to believe that because of their family’s pride and honesty, which made him unwilling to accept that Mourad had stolen the horse.

Question 7: What feelings did the sight of cousin Mourad and the horse arouse in the narrator?
Answer:  The narrator felt a mixture of amazement and confusion. He stared at Mourad and the horse, feeling both delighted and somewhat fearful. The sight evoked a sense of humor and awe, but it also filled him with doubt due to the family's reputation.

Question 8: “It was true, then. He had stolen the horse. There was no question about it. He had come to invite me to ride or not, as I chose.” How did the narrator convince himself to enjoy a horse ride with cousin Mourad?
Answer: The narrator convinced himself that stealing a horse for a ride was not the same as stealing for monetary gain. Since he and Mourad were both passionate about horses, he rationalized that it wasn’t really stealing as long as they didn’t sell the horse. This allowed him to enjoy the ride without guilt.

Question 9: Give examples to show why Cousin Mourad was considered one of the craziest members of the narrator’s family.
Answer:  Mourad’s love for horses was extreme. He stole the white horse and kept it for six weeks, riding it, feeding it, and hiding it in a deserted yard. His wild energy and carefree nature made him stand out as one of the craziest members of the Garoghlanian family. He was also known for his energetic singing and wild behavior.

Question 10: Why does the narrator mention Uncle Khosrove? Which characteristic features of the man are highlighted?
Answer:  The narrator mentions Uncle Khosrove to highlight the crazy streak that runs in their family, which Mourad seems to inherit. Uncle Khosrove was a large man with a powerful personality. He was easily irritated and impatient, often silencing people with his famous catchphrase, “It’s no harm; pay no attention to it.”

Question 11: Give an example to illustrate how Uncle Khosrove’s impatience sometimes worked to his own disadvantage.
Answer:  Once, when Uncle Khosrove was getting his moustache trimmed, his son Arak rushed to inform him that their house was on fire. Instead of responding with urgency, Uncle Khosrove roared, “It’s no harm; pay no attention to it.” His lack of concern about the fire shows how his impatience sometimes worked against him.

Question 12: “The distribution of the various kinds of spirit of our tribe had been from the beginning capricious and vagrant.” Elucidate.
Answer:  The Garoghlanian family had a history of unpredictability and eccentric behavior. Mourad, with his love for adventure, was considered the natural heir to the wild spirit of Uncle Khosrove. Though Mourad’s father, Zorab, was practical, Mourad inherited the crazy streak from his relatives, particularly Uncle Khosrove.

Question 13: Give a brief account of Mourad’s joy ride.
Answer:  Mourad kicked the horse’s heels and shouted, “Vazire, run!” The horse sprang into action, running across a field of dry grass. Mourad enjoyed the ride, crossing an irrigation ditch with ease. When he returned, he was wet but exhilarated, showcasing his deep connection with the horse.

Question 14: How did Aram, the narrator, fare in his solo ride?
Answer: Aram tried riding the horse alone but struggled. After kicking the horse to move, it reared up and ran at full speed. Aram, who didn’t know how to ride, was thrown off the horse as it bolted down a road and leapt over several vines in a vineyard.

Question 15: “We’ll either take him back or hide him until tomorrow morning”. Which course of action did the speaker take and why?
Answer:  Mourad chose to hide the horse in the barn of a deserted vineyard rather than return it immediately. He wasn’t worried about the horse, as the barn had food for it. He preferred to keep the horse hidden for a while longer to avoid being caught.

Question 16: “I have an understanding with a horse.”
“Horses understand me.”
“I have a way with a horse. ”
How do you think, had Mourad developed an understanding with the horse and what was the result?
Answer: Mourad’s affection and care for the horse helped him develop a bond with it. He treated the horse with love, feeding it and spending time with it. His understanding of the horse made it calmer and more obedient. Even the horse’s owner, John Byro, acknowledged that the horse had become stronger and better-tempered due to Mourad’s care.

Question 17: Contrast the two visitors to the narrator’s house who visited them one afternoon.
Answer:  Uncle Khosrove was irritable and impatient, often silencing people with his phrase, “It’s no harm; pay no attention to it.” In contrast, Farmer John Byro was a sad and lonely man, upset about his stolen horse. He was deeply affected by the loss, highlighting the emotional contrast between him and the irritable Uncle Khosrove.

Question 18: How did Uncle Khosrove react to John Byro’s complaint about the stealing of his horse?
Answer:  When John Byro explained that his horse had been stolen, Uncle Khosrove didn’t show any sympathy. Instead, he dismissed the complaint with his usual catchphrase, “It’s no harm,” and belittled the significance of losing the horse, demonstrating his indifference to others’ troubles.

Question 19: What arguments did farmer John Byro advance to prove the usefulness of a horse to a country dweller?
Answer: John Byro argued that a horse was essential for his work, as his surrey was useless without one. Walking ten miles was painful, especially for his left leg, and the horse had cost him sixty dollars. He emphasized that a city dweller like Khosrove might not understand the importance of a horse for a farmer.

Question 20: Why did farmer John Byro stalk out of the house, slamming the screen door?
Answer:  Farmer John Byro visited the narrator’s house. He was homesick, sad and lonely. His horse had been stolen for over a month. Instead of showing any sympathy or concern for his loss, Uncle Khosrove repeated his catchword: “It’s no harm. Pay no attention to it”. When John Byro talked about the cost of a horse, Uncle Khosrove commented: “I spit on money.” This was too much for John Byro to bear so he left the house in disgust.

Question 21: How did Mourad help the wounded Robin to fly? What does this incident indicate?
Answer: The narrator noticed Mourad trying to cure the hint wing of a young robin which could not fly. He was talking to the bird. After some time, he threw the bird into the air. The bird tried hard and almost fell twice. However, at last, it flew away, high and straight.
This incident shows that in spite of having a crazy streak, Mourad was kind at heart and gentle towards God’s creatures.

Question 22: What request did the narrator make to his cousin Mourad about the horse? How did he react to it? What does this reveal?
Answer:  The narrator requested his cousin Mourad not to return the horse to farmer John Byro till he learnt to ride. Mourad observed that it might take him a year. The narrator suggested to keep the horse for a year. Mourad shouted that he was inciting him to steal. He declared that the horse must go back to its true owner. This shows his honesty and sense of family pride.

Question 23: What did farmer John Byro observe after studying the horse the two boys had with them?
Answer:  The farmer studied the horse eagerly and asked its name. Mourad said that they called it “My Heart’. John Byro appreciated it as a lovely name for a lovely horse. He was ready to swear that it was the horse that was stolen from him many weeks ago.

Question 24: “A suspicious man would believe his eyes instead of his heart.” In what context was this observation made and by whom?
Answer:  This observation was made by farmer John Byro after looking into the mouth of the horse. It matched his horse tooth for a tooth. He would have claimed it as his own horse if he had not known their parents or the fame of their family for honesty. The resemblance was so striking that he called it the twin of his horse.

Question 25: What do you think induced the boys to return the horse to its owner?
Answer:  The boys were impressed by John Byro’s attitude towards their parents and family. He knew their parents very well and so believed whatever the boys said. Secondly, the fame of their family for honesty was well-known to him. The boys returned the horse to him for the sake of family pride and dignity.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: Narrate the story ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ in your own words.
Answer:  One summer morning, the narrator, Aram, was woken up at four o'clock by his cousin Mourad, who tapped on the window of his room. Aram was surprised to see Mourad sitting on a beautiful white horse. Mourad asked him to hurry if he wanted to ride the horse. Aram, who had always dreamed of riding a horse, eagerly jumped out of the window and onto the horse behind Mourad. Since their family, the Garoghlanians, was very poor, Aram thought that Mourad had stolen the horse.

They rode together, and Mourad even sang as they went. Later, Mourad took a joy ride by himself, and Aram, trying to ride alone, was thrown off the horse, which ran away. Mourad hid the horse in a deserted vineyard, knowing that they couldn't keep it out in the open. That afternoon, a farmer named John Byro came to their house, distressed because his white horse had gone missing for over a month. Uncle Khosrove, in his usual dramatic fashion, dismissed John Byro's complaint, telling him it was "no harm, pay no attention to it."

Aram later told Mourad about the visit, and asked him to keep the horse until he learned how to ride. However, Mourad refused. After a couple of weeks, Aram met John Byro again, who was still upset over the loss of his horse. The two boys realized that they could not keep the horse any longer, especially when Byro praised the Garoghlanian family for its honesty. Mourad, realizing the importance of their family reputation, decided to return the horse. The next morning, Mourad returned the horse to Byro.

Question 2: Relate some of the humorous incidents in the story. Which incident do you find the most amusing and why?
Answer:  Many of the humorous incidents in the story are related to Uncle Khosrove. His habit of using his catchphrase "It is no harm, pay no attention to it" in inappropriate situations provides comic relief. For instance, when his son Arak rushed eight blocks to inform him that their house was on fire, Khosrove, instead of being concerned, simply roared, "It is no harm, pay no attention to it." Even when the barber explained that his son was saying the house was on fire, Khosrove still refused to pay attention, shouting the same words.

The funniest incident occurs at the end when John Byro is complaining about his missing horse. Khosrove tells him, "What is the loss of a horse? What is this crying over a horse?" and when Byro mentions that the horse cost him sixty dollars, Khosrove dismisses it by saying, "I spit on money." The contradiction between the seriousness of Byro’s complaint and Khosrove’s indifferent attitude creates an amusing contrast.

The most amusing incident for me is when Khosrove dismisses Byro’s complaint about the horse. His complete disregard for the situation is both funny and absurd, highlighting his eccentric personality.

Question 3: What impression do you form of Cousin Mourad?
Answer: Mourad is a 13-year-old boy from the Garoghlanian family, which is poor but renowned for its honesty. Despite the family's poverty, Mourad has a strong sense of adventure and is somewhat mischievous. He has a natural charm and an undeniable love for horses, as seen in the way he handles the white horse. He is resourceful and knows how to speak to farmers, even convincing them of his family's trustworthiness.

Mourad is also proud of his family's reputation for honesty, which is why he ultimately decides to return the horse to its rightful owner, John Byro. His love for the horse is genuine, as shown by the way he treats it tenderly before returning it. While he enjoys the thrill of riding, Mourad's actions are guided by his family's values, even if they are temporarily set aside in pursuit of adventure. In short, Mourad is a lovable and adventurous character who balances mischief with a strong moral compass.

Question 4: Comment on the role of Aram, the narrator, in the story.
Answer: Aram, as the narrator, plays a crucial role in the story. He is not only the one who tells the events but also provides valuable insights into the lives of the characters, particularly the Garoghlanian family. Through Aram’s eyes, we learn about his family’s poverty and their strong sense of honesty. He explains that despite their financial struggles, the Garoghlanians are known for their integrity, and this shapes his understanding of right and wrong.

Aram also serves as the moral anchor of the story. While he is excited about the adventure of riding the stolen horse, he is still conscious of his family’s reputation. He is observant and thoughtful, often providing commentary on the actions of his cousin Mourad and other characters. His reflections and observations help us understand the complexities of the characters, especially Mourad’s mischievous nature and eventual decision to return the horse. Aram’s narration adds depth to the story, making the simple plot more meaningful.

Question 5: Compare and contrast Uncle Khosrove and Cousin Mourad.
Answer:  Uncle Khosrove and Cousin Mourad share a few similarities, such as their larger-than-life personalities and their tendency to dominate situations. Both have a unique way of handling conversations, with Khosrove often shouting "It is no harm, pay no attention to it," and Mourad boasting about his skills with horses, dogs, and farmers. They also have a reputation for being a bit eccentric and impulsive.

However, there are notable differences between the two. Uncle Khosrove is a middle-aged man with a commanding presence. He is large, powerful, and often irritable. His behavior is characterized by impatience and a complete disregard for anything that doesn't immediately capture his attention. Mourad, on the other hand, is a young, athletic boy full of energy and charm. He is more thoughtful and calculating than Khosrove, as seen when he decides to return the horse after realizing the importance of his family’s reputation.

While Khosrove’s actions are often dictated by irritation and apathy, Mourad’s actions are motivated by a sense of adventure, pride in his family, and a love for horses. Mourad is reasonable in his conversations, whereas Khosrove is often overly dramatic and loud.

Value-Based Questions

Question 1: You will probably agree that this story does not have breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what, in your opinion, makes it interesting?
Answer:  The story ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ is a tale told from the viewpoint of a nine-year-old boy. At that age, imagination is rich, and one can romanticise even insignificant actions. To such a person, the world is full of excellence and glory, and life is delightful and a mysterious dream.
For the young, poor boy, a ride on a beautiful white horse is a dream fulfilled. He had always longed to ride, and his cherished dream was realised when his cousin Mourad offered him a chance to ride on horseback—first with him and then alone. Riding the stolen horse and hiding it safely are great feats of adventure for the two boys. Though the storyline is thin, we eagerly follow the course of action taken by the boys till they return the horse to its rightful owner.
The story provides us with a peep into child psychology. For boys who are crazy about horses, stealing a horse for a ride is not stealing. Though they enjoy the thrill of riding, they are conscious of their family pride. The Garoghlanian family is well-known for honesty and trust. They would neither steal nor take advantage of anybody in the world.
Another point of interest is characterization. The delineation of the common traits of Uncle Khosrove and Cousin Mourad is superb. The story also contains many purple passages full of pictorial descriptions. All these heighten its appeal to the reader. 

Question 2: Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?
Answer:  The story gives no indication that the boys were afraid of anyone or anything. Hence, the return of the horse was not directed by fear. Secondly, they were not at all conscience-stricken. They did not feel any pangs of repentance or remorse at their action of stealing a horse solely for the purpose of riding it. The narrator makes it amply clear when he asserts that stealing a horse for a ride is not the same thing as stealing something else, such as money. For him, it wasn’t stealing at all, as he and Mourad were so crazy about horses. In his opinion, it would become stealing only when they offered to sell the horse, which he knew they would never do.
The last phrase gives a clue to their mental make-up. Mourad had the horse for over a month when farmer John Byro visited the narrator’s house. They retained it for two weeks more. Mourad outrightly rejected the narrator’s suggestion of keeping the horse any longer. It was his family's pride that would not let him steal. He decided that the horse must go back to its true owner.
The meeting with John Byro proved conclusive. He praised their family for its honesty. He trusted the boys as he knew their parents. Hence, in order to uphold the family tradition and reputation, the boys returned the horse to its owner. 

Question 3: “One day back there in the good old days when I was nine and the world was full of every imaginable kind of magnificence, and life was still a delightful and mysterious dream……..”. The story begins in a mood of nostalgia. Can you narrate some incident from your childhood that might make an interesting story?
Answer:  I had just completed my primary education when I visited my uncle. He was a forest ranger in Dehradun. In those days, there was a thick forest in the vicinity of the city, and all sorts of wild animals prowled there. Uncle had advised us not to enter the deep forest, but forbidden fruit is sweet. My cousin Varun, a couple of his friends, and I decided to explore the southern range. We had the kits of scouts and were fully prepared. In our boyish enthusiasm, we went deep into the jungle and reached a gorge. We were amazed to see a lioness with her cubs. One of us, perhaps Mohit, clicked his camera. The flashlight scared the lioness, and she roared and leapt. Fortunately, there was a big ditch, and she fell into it. Meanwhile, we lit our torches, collected dry leaves and twigs and set them on fire. Momentarily, we got
a respite from our attackers. Then we threw some green leaves on fire to give a smoke signal. A patrol party noticed it and rescued us. I shudder whenever I think of this adventure when we were close to death. 

Question 4: The story revolves around characters who belong to tribe in Armenia. Mourad and Aram are members of the Garoghlanian family. Now locate Armenia and Assyria on the atlas and prepare a write-up on the Garoghlanian tribes. You may write about people, their names, traits, geographical and economic features as suggested in the story. 

Answer: The Garoghlanian family was an Armenian tribe. Eleven centuries ago, it was the wealthiest family in that part of the world. However, now every branch of the Garoghlanian tribe was living in the most amazing and comical poverty in the world. These poor people had no money. Nobody could understand where they ever got enough money to keep them with food in their bellies.
The Garoghlanian tribes were famous for their honesty. It had been the hallmark of the tribe for many centuries. They were proud of their family. Honesty came next, and then they believed in right and wrong. None of them would take advantage of anybody in the world. No member of the Garoghlanian family could be a thief.
The elders felt pained to remember that they had lost their homeland. These people shifted their residence from one place to the other. The narrator says, “That year, we lived at the edge of the town, on Walnut Avenue.” They loved the countryside, which had vineyards, orchards, olives, and walnuts. The names of the people are semi-Arabic: Mourad, Aram, Khosrove, etc.