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The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter 1 Supplementary Book (Snapshots) help students understand the story The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse in a clear and simple way. This chapter is the first story in the supplementary book for Class 11 English. Written by William Saroyan, it is about two Armenian boys, Aram and Mourad, who belong to the honest but poor Garoghlanian tribe.
The story teaches students important values like honesty, trust, and the difference between right and wrong. Even though the boys take a horse without permission, they don’t mean to steal it. They only want to enjoy a ride. The Class 11 Chapter 1 Summer of Beautiful Horse shows how young minds struggle with temptation and family values.
These NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter 1 Supplementary Books include detailed answers to all textbook questions. They help students prepare well for exams and understand the theme, character traits, and message of the story. Key questions such as “Why was the Garoghlanian tribe famous for honesty?” and “How did Aram fare in his solo ride?” are explained in a simple and easy-to-remember format.
Students using these NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chapter 1 Summer of Beautiful Horse will find summaries, character sketches, and important explanations. These solutions are helpful for writing long and short answers and improving comprehension skills. By using these NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Chapter 1 Supplementary Book, students can gain deeper insight into the emotions, humor, and lessons hidden in the story The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.
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NCERT Solutions Class 11 English The Summer Of The Beautiful White Horse – PDF Download
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The Summer Of The Beautiful White Horse Question Answer
Here are the Class 11 English Snapshot chapter 1 question answers form NCERT textbook:
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 been always longing to ride and his cherished dream is realised when his cousin Mourad offers 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 story line 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 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 description. 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 was 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 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 rightful 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 leaped. 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 respite from our attackers. Then we threw some green leaves on fire to give 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 money enough 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 countryside having vineyards, orchards, olives and Walnuts. The names of the people are semi- Arabic: Mourad, Aram, Khosrove etc.
Also Read: NCERT Syllabus Class 11 | NCERT Exemplar for Class 11
Class 11 English The Summer Of The Beautiful White Horse – Short Answer Type Questions
Q1. What was unbelievable to the narrator and why?
Ans. The narrator couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Mourad sitting on a beautiful white horse. It was unbelievable because they were from the Garoghlanian tribe, a family known for being poor. Owning such a fine horse was out of their reach.
Q2. What qualities of Mourad are shown in the beginning?
Ans. The narrator hints that Mourad was considered a little crazy, especially about horses. He also had a deep love for life and enjoyed every moment, more than anyone else.
Q3. What made it hard for the narrator to believe what he saw?
Ans. The narrator found it hard to believe because they lived in poverty. The Garoghlanian family barely had enough to eat, so having a horse didn’t make sense.
Q4. What do we learn about the Garoghlanian family in the story?
Ans. The Garoghlanian tribe class 11 was once wealthy but was now poor. Despite this, they were known for their honesty and never took advantage of anyone. Why was the Garoghlanian tribe famous? — for their honesty and moral values.
Q5. How did Aram feel on seeing Mourad with the horse?
Ans. Aram was shocked. The horse looked amazing, smelled good, and its breathing was thrilling. But he knew Mourad couldn’t have bought it, which made him suspicious.
Q6. What were Aram’s conflicting thoughts after seeing Mourad with the horse?
Ans. Aram was torn. He felt Mourad must have stolen the horse because they were poor. Yet, because of the Garoghlanian tribe’s reputation, he couldn’t accept that Mourad would steal.
Q7. How did Aram feel after seeing Mourad and the horse?
Ans. He felt a mix of joy and fear. The sight of Mourad with the horse brought a peaceful yet humorous feeling. Aram was thrilled but also anxious.
Q8. Why did Aram decide to ride the horse with Mourad?
Ans. He told himself that riding a stolen horse wasn’t real stealing unless they sold it. Since they loved horses, he thought it was okay for a while.
Q9. What made Mourad seem crazy to others?
Ans. Mourad was considered one of the craziest in the Garoghlanian family. He was obsessed with horses and even kept the stolen horse for weeks. He loved talking to it, riding it, and hiding it. When he sang, it sounded wild and loud.
Q10. Why is Uncle Khosrove mentioned? What are his traits?
Ans. Mourad had inherited his strange behavior from Uncle Khosrove. Khosrove had a huge head, a big moustache, and a loud temper. He would shout, “It is no harm; pay no attention to it,” and stop people from talking.
Q11. How did Uncle Khosrove’s impatience harm him once?
Ans. When his house caught fire, his son ran to inform him. But Khosrove angrily told him to ignore it. Even the barber couldn’t stop him from dismissing the news, saying, “It is no harm.”
Q12. Explain the quote about the spirit of the tribe.
Ans. The Garoghlanian tribe had a wild side. Mourad didn’t behave like his father, Zorab, who was practical. Mourad took after Uncle Khosrove in spirit, not in appearance.
Q13. Describe Mourad’s joyful ride on the horse.
Ans. Mourad shouted, “Vazire, run!” — the name he gave the horse. The horse stood on its hind legs, then dashed across fields and jumped over an irrigation ditch. He returned soaked after a few minutes.
Q14. How did Aram the narrator fare in his solo ride?
Ans. Aram wasn’t a skilled rider. When he tried to ride alone, the horse ran wildly, jumped into a vineyard, and threw him off.
Q15. What did the boys decide to do with the horse and why?
Ans. Instead of returning the horse right away, Mourad hid it in a deserted vineyard barn. The barn belonged to a farmer named Fetvajian and had some oats and alfalfa, so the horse had food.
Q16. How did Mourad bond with the horse? What was the result?
Ans. Mourad was gentle and loving with the horse. He hugged it, touched noses, and patted it often. Over time, the horse became calm and well-behaved. Even John Byro said it was now healthier and better-tempered.
Q17. Compare and contrast Uncle Khosrove and Mourad.
Ans. Both had a crazy streak. Khosrove was older, hot-tempered, and impatient. Mourad, though young, showed the same wild traits but was also kind and gentle, especially to animals.
Q18. How did Uncle Khosrove react to John Byro’s complaint?
Ans. When John Byro talked about his lost horse, Khosrove rudely interrupted him and said, “It’s no harm. What is this crying over a horse?” showing no sympathy.
Q19. What did John Byro say to show how important the horse was?
Ans. He said his surrey was useless without the horse. He had to walk 10 miles and his leg hurt. Also, the horse had cost him 60 dollars, a big amount for a country man.
Q20. Why did John Byro leave the narrator’s house angrily?
Ans. John Byro left in frustration because Khosrove kept dismissing his pain and shouted, “I spit on money.” Hurt and upset, Byro slammed the door and left.
Q21. How did Mourad help a hurt robin to fly again?
Ans. Mourad gently talked to a robin with an injured wing. After some tries, he released it, and the bird finally flew away. This shows Mourad’s kindness to animals despite his odd behavior.
Q22. What request did Aram make and how did Mourad respond?
Ans. Aram asked Mourad to keep the horse until he learned to ride. Mourad said it might take a year and refused, saying it would mean stealing. This shows Mourad’s honesty and family pride.
Q23. What did John Byro notice when he saw the horse?
Ans. He looked at the horse and admired it. Mourad said its name was “My Heart.” Byro almost believed it was his stolen horse but didn’t accuse them because of their family’s honesty.
Q24. Explain the quote: “A suspicious man would believe his eyes…”
Ans. John Byro said this after seeing the horse. It looked exactly like his, even tooth by tooth. But he chose to trust the boys because of the Garoghlanian tribe’s honest reputation.
Q25. Why did the boys return the horse?
Ans. They were moved by John Byro’s trust in their family’s honesty. He knew their family wouldn’t steal. So, for the sake of the Garoghlanian tribe’s pride, they quietly returned the horse.
Do Check: Class 11 English The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse MCQs
Class 11 English The Summer Of The Beautiful White Horse Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1: Narrate the story ‘The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse’ in your own words.
Answer: One warm summer morning, Aram, the narrator, was woken up at 4 a.m. by his cousin Mourad tapping on his bedroom window. When Aram looked outside, he was shocked to see Mourad sitting on a beautiful white horse. Mourad invited him for a ride, and although Aram was confused about how Mourad, who came from a poor family like his, got the horse, he jumped out of the window and joined him.
The Garoghlanian tribe, to which Aram and Mourad belonged, was known for its strict values—especially honesty. The Garoghlanian family had lived in poverty for generations, yet they were respected for never stealing. So, the idea that Mourad might have stolen the horse seemed both impossible and believable to Aram.
While Mourad seemed to have a natural talent for handling horses—he said he had “a way with horses”—Aram struggled. How did Aram, the narrator, fare in his solo ride? He tried to ride alone but was thrown off, and the horse ran away into the fields. Eventually, they managed to bring it back and hid the horse in an old barn in a deserted vineyard.
Later that day, a farmer named John Byro visited Aram’s home and told them his white horse had been missing for over a month. Uncle Khosrove, known for his loud and careless attitude, dismissed the matter saying, “It is no harm; pay no attention to it.” This was typical of uncle Khosrove, who often made such remarks in serious situations.
Aram told Mourad he wanted to learn to ride before returning the horse, but Mourad didn’t agree. Two weeks later, the boys bumped into John Byro again. The farmer saw his horse with them but didn’t accuse them. He said he trusted their family’s honesty, which made Mourad feel guilty. The next morning, they quietly returned the horse to the barn.
The Garoghlanian tribe was famous for their honesty, and in the end, Mourad lived up to that legacy.
Question 2: Relate some of the humorous incidents in the story. Which incident do you find the most amusing and why?
Answer: Much of the humor in the story comes from the character of Uncle Khosrove, a man with a huge mustache and an even bigger voice. No matter how serious the problem, he would brush it off by shouting, “It is no harm; pay no attention to it.”
One of the most funny and ironic scenes is when his son Arak runs to the barber shop shouting that their house is on fire. But instead of reacting with concern, Khosrove just roars, “It is no harm.” Even when the barber tries to make him understand, he silences him with the same phrase.
Another hilarious moment happens when Farmer John Byro comes to Aram’s house to complain about his stolen horse. As soon as he begins to speak, Khosrove cuts him off, saying, “It is no harm. What is the loss of a horse?” He even says, “I spit on money,” when the farmer says the horse cost sixty dollars. This reaction is so exaggerated and out of place that it becomes very amusing.
The most amusing incident is definitely Khosrove’s conversation with John Byro. Despite the serious topic of a stolen horse, Khosrove responds as if it’s nothing to worry about, making the whole scene comical.
Question 3: What impression do you form of cousin Mourad?
Answer: Mourad is a lively, free-spirited 13-year-old boy from the Garoghlanian tribe. He is known for doing unusual things that often seem crazy, much like his uncle Khosrove. But behind his wild behavior is a kind heart and deep love for animals, especially horses.
He has a special connection with animals. By what name did Mourad call the horse when he asked him to run? He called the horse “My Heart,” showing how much he cared for it. He also treated an injured bird with compassion, proving his gentle nature.
Although his actions might seem dishonest—like taking someone else’s horse—he never meant to harm anyone. He only wanted to ride a horse because he loved it so much. Mourad had a natural ability to handle horses. While Aram couldn’t control the horse, Mourad rode it like a professional.
He also knew that keeping the horse for too long would go against the values of their family. So, even though he loved riding it, he decided to return it. Mourad’s actions show that he is adventurous, caring, and deeply respectful of his family’s reputation for honesty.
Question 4: Comment on the role of Aram, the narrator, in the story.
Answer: Aram is more than just the storyteller—he is the lens through which we view the Garoghlanian tribe and its values. He’s a curious, thoughtful boy who admires his cousin Mourad and tries to make sense of the events around him.
Describe the Garoghlanian tribe class 11: Aram describes his tribe as poor but proud. Despite having little money, the Garoghlanian tribe was famous for honesty and integrity. They valued trust and never took what wasn’t theirs. Aram firmly believed this, saying, “No member of the Garoghlanian family could be a thief.”
In the story, Aram brings balance. While Mourad is wild and impulsive, Aram is cautious and thoughtful. He questions what’s right and wrong and describes the Garoghlanian family in a way that helps us understand their morals and struggles.
When Aram attempts to ride the horse alone, he is thrown off—how did Aram the narrator fare in his solo ride? Not very well. This moment reflects his inexperience and contrasts sharply with Mourad’s skills.
Overall, Aram helps us understand the values of his family and gives us a clear picture of life in the Garoghlanian tribe class 11.
Question 5: Compare and contrast Uncle Khosrove and Cousin Mourad.
Answer: Compare and contrast Uncle Khosrove and Mourad: Both uncle Khosrove and Mourad are known for their eccentric behavior. Mourad is often described as the natural successor to his uncle’s craziness. They both have loud personalities and like to dominate conversations. Mourad repeats “I have a way with…” and Khosrove keeps saying, “It is no harm; pay no attention to it.”
However, there are clear differences. Khosrove is a middle-aged man, big in size, with thick hair and a loud voice. He is quick-tempered, impatient, and doesn’t think before speaking. He gets angry easily and yells at people even in serious situations.
On the other hand, Mourad is a young boy, athletic and full of life. While Khosrove’s craziness is more aggressive, Mourad’s is adventurous and fun-loving. He’s passionate about horses and animals and treats them with kindness. Mourad is also more thoughtful; he understands the importance of returning the horse to maintain the family’s honor.
In short, both characters represent the wild streak in the Garoghlanian family, but Mourad adds a sense of compassion and intelligence to it.
Class 11 English The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse Summary
The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse is a heartwarming and humorous short story written by William Saroyan. It is the first chapter in the Class 11 English Snapshots supplementary book and explores themes of honesty, childhood innocence, adventure, and family pride.
Main Characters:
- Aram – The 9-year-old narrator, honest and thoughtful.
- Mourad – Aram’s 13-year-old cousin, lively, adventurous, and slightly eccentric.
- John Byro – The owner of the white horse.
- Uncle Khosrove – Mourad’s uncle, known for his short temper and loud voice.
The Story:
One early summer morning, Aram is awakened by his cousin Mourad tapping on his window. He is shocked to see Mourad sitting on a beautiful white horse. Aram knows their family, the Garoghlanian tribe, is very poor and famous for honesty. So, he is confused about how Mourad got the horse.
Mourad convinces Aram to take a ride. While Mourad handles the horse perfectly, Aram struggles and falls off during his solo ride. They keep the horse hidden in a barn in a deserted vineyard.
A few days later, John Byro, a farmer, visits Aram’s house and tells them his horse was stolen. When he later sees Mourad and Aram with his horse, he chooses not to accuse them, trusting the reputation of the Garoghlanian family.
This trust makes Mourad feel guilty. He returns the horse secretly to its rightful owner.
Conclusion:
The story beautifully shows how the boys’ desire for adventure is balanced by their deep respect for family values. The Garoghlanian tribe is poor but proud, and their honesty remains unshaken. Through light humor and innocence, the story teaches a powerful lesson about ethics and identity.
FAQs on NCERT Solution Class 11 English Summer of Beautiful White Horse
What is the central theme of Chapter 1 – The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse?
The central theme of the story is honesty versus temptation. Despite coming from a poor background, the Garoghlanian tribe is known for its honesty. The story explores how two young boys are tempted to enjoy horse riding without actually stealing for profit, highlighting the conflict between desire and moral values.
Why was the Garoghlanian tribe famous according to Aram?
The Garoghlanian tribe was famous for being honest and trustworthy, even though they lived in poverty for generations. Aram proudly states that no member of his tribe could ever be a thief, which reflects the deep-rooted moral code of the family.
What makes cousin Mourad a unique character in the story?
Mourad is portrayed as eccentric, adventurous, and deeply connected with animals. He often says he has 'a way with horses,' and indeed, animals respond to him calmly. His behavior mirrors that of Uncle Khosrove, showing the quirky traits common in their family.
How did Aram the narrator fare in his solo ride?
When Aram tried to ride the horse alone, he was thrown off and the horse ran away. This shows that unlike Mourad, Aram lacked the skill and confidence to handle the animal, emphasizing Mourad’s natural talent with horses.
Describe the Garoghlanian family in the context of the story.
The Garoghlanian family, as described by Aram, was a proud Armenian tribe known for its unwavering honesty, despite being extremely poor. Their reputation was so strong that even when Farmer John Byro saw his missing horse with the boys, he didn’t accuse them directly because of their family’s name.
What is the significance of John Byro’s reaction when he sees his horse with the boys?
John Byro’s reaction plays a key role in the story. He chooses not to accuse the boys and instead expresses hope that his horse returns. His indirect approach and belief in the family’s honesty ultimately motivate Mourad to return the horse, reinforcing the theme of trust and integrity.
What is the role of Uncle Khosrove in adding humor to the story?
Uncle Khosrove provides comic relief with his loud personality and repeated phrase, 'It is no harm; pay no attention to it.' His dismissive attitude toward serious matters—like a burning house or a stolen horse—adds absurd humor and highlights the eccentric nature of the Garoghlanian tribe.
