Chapter 1 - The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse

Summary:
"The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse" is a short story written by William Saroyan. It is set in Fresno, California, during the early 20th century. The story revolves around the narrator, a young boy, and his cousin, Mourad, who discover a beautiful white horse and try to keep it for themselves.

The story begins with the narrator describing his family's farm and the surrounding countryside. He introduces his cousin Mourad, who is known for his storytelling skills. One day, Mourad tells the narrator about a beautiful white horse that he saw tied to a post near a vineyard. Both boys are fascinated by the horse and decide to investigate.

They find the horse tied to a post with a note that says it belongs to an Armenian man named John Byro. The boys become determined to keep the horse and take it to their own farm. They untie the horse and lead it away, hoping no one will notice.

As they make their way through the countryside, the boys encounter various obstacles and challenges. They face a group of angry dogs, a suspicious police officer, and even a man who claims to be the real owner of the horse. Despite these obstacles, they manage to keep the horse hidden and make it back to their farm.

However, their victory is short-lived. The next day, John Byro arrives at their farm, looking for his horse. The boys confess to taking the horse, and Byro forgives them, understanding their excitement and their desire to have something beautiful. He takes the horse back, leaving the boys feeling guilty but also appreciative of the experience.

Short Questions and Answers:
1. Where is the story set?
- The story is set in Fresno, California.

2. Who is the narrator of the story?
- The narrator is a young boy.

3. Who is Mourad?
- Mourad is the narrator's cousin.

4. What does Mourad tell the narrator about?
- Mourad tells the narrator about a beautiful white horse he saw tied to a post.

5. What do the boys decide to do with the horse?
- The boys decide to keep the horse for themselves.

6. Who is the real owner of the horse?
- The horse belongs to an Armenian man named John Byro.

7. How do the boys manage to keep the horse hidden?
- The boys face various obstacles but manage to keep the horse hidden through their determination.

8. What happens when John Byro comes to the boys' farm?
- The boys confess to taking the horse, and John Byro forgives them.

Long Questions and Answers:
1. What is the main theme of "The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse"?
- The main theme of the story is the temptation to possess something beautiful and the moral dilemma it presents. The boys are captivated by the beauty of the white horse and are tempted to keep it for themselves, even though they know it belongs to someone else. They struggle with their desire to possess something rare and extraordinary and the guilt that comes with taking something that doesn't belong to them. The story explores the complexity of human nature and the choices we make when faced with moral dilemmas.

2. How do the boys overcome the obstacles they face while trying to keep the horse?
- The boys encounter several obstacles while trying to keep