The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse

"The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse" is a short story by William Saroyan, published within the collection "My Name Is Aram" (1940). It tells the story of two boys who belong to a very poor Armenian tribe.

Plot summary

Aram and Mourad are cousins in the Garoghlanian family, which has a reputation for honesty which had been maintained by its family members for hundreds of years. Yet the tribe is poverty stricken. Both boys long to ride a horse, but their poverty keeps them from their deepest dream. Early one morning, Mourad shows up at Aram's home riding a white horse. He is determined to keep it, and they try their best to keep the horse a secret from others. Although Aram thinks that Mourad had probably stolen the horse, he tells himself that this was a foolish thing to believe, with the family's reputation of honesty. In the days that follow, they ride merrily about the countryside.

One day when Mourad and Aram are taking the horse to a farm to hide it, they come face to face with a poor farmer, John Byro. He looks at the horse very eagerly and studies it tooth by tooth. He exclaims that this white horse is identical to the one horse he owns. Finally he says that it cannot be the same one, for the Garoghlanian tribe is noted for its honesty. Aram notes that Mourad looks quite ashamed, though he admits nothing. That night the boys take the horse back to its own farm. Before he leaves, Mourad throws his arms about the creature's neck.

The next day John Byro visits the Garoghlanian family home to tell of a great miracle. The horse which had mysteriously disappeared from his house has returned! What is more, the formerly balky animal now works willingly, and thus is worth much more than its original price.