READING WITH INSIGHT

Q1. You will probably agree that this story does not have breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what in your opinion makes it interesting?
Answer: What makes the story interesting is the focus on the inner conflict and the charming characters. The main “adventure” is the moral dilemma faced by the narrator, Aram, as he tries to reconcile his desire to ride with his family’s reputation for honesty. The humor and warmth come from the eccentric characters, like the free-spirited Mourad and the impatient Uncle Khosrove. The simple, nostalgic tone and the exploration of themes like family values, honor, and childhood innocence are what truly captivate the reader.

Q2. Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?
Answer: The boys returned the horse because they were conscience-stricken. While they initially tried to rationalize their actions, the encounter with John Byro solidified their moral obligation. The farmer’s unwavering trust in their family’s honesty, even when faced with the horse, was a powerful reminder of their tribal values. Returning the horse was an act of honor and proof that they were, at their core, members of a proud and honest family, not thieves.

Q3. “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: This is an open-ended question that encourages a personal response. A possible answer could be:
“One day, when I was about eight years old, my friends and I found a ‘secret map’ in an old book. It was drawn on a piece of yellowed paper and had a big ‘X’ marking a spot in the nearby woods. We spent the entire afternoon on a ‘treasure hunt,’ digging and searching, our hearts pounding with excitement. We never found any treasure, but the thrill of the adventure and the bond we shared that day is a memory I’ll always cherish. It’s funny how something so simple felt like the most magnificent quest in the world.”

Q4. The story revolves around characters who belong to a 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 Tribe
The Garoghlanian tribe is an Armenian tribe famous for its honesty and trust, a reputation they have held for over eleven centuries. The story notes that they are proud first, then honest, and finally believe in right and wrong. Despite this strong moral code, the tribe is also described as being poverty-stricken, living in a state of “amazing and comical poverty”.
The story also suggests a peculiar trait: the “crazy streak” that runs in the family, passed down from members like Uncle Khosrove to Mourad. This lineage of spirit is not necessarily tied to a blood father but can be “capricious and vagrant,” suggesting a unique, inherited personality type within the tribe. The story takes place at the edge of town, with country roads, vineyards, and orchards nearby, reflecting the simple, rural lives of the characters. Their names, like Aram, Mourad, and Khosrove, are of Armenian origin.

TRY THIS OUT

“The horse stood on its hind legs, snorted, and burst into a fury of speed that was the loveliest thing I had ever seen.” These lines could be an artist’s delight. Try to draw a picture as depicted in the above lines.
Answer: This is an activity-based question that requires the user to draw. A possible response would be:
“A fantastic idea! To bring this scene to life, you could draw a powerful white horse rearing up, its hooves pawing at the air. Show its head thrown back with a snort, and maybe its mane and tail are a blur of motion. The background could be a wide, open field, with the sun just beginning to rise, hinting at the start of a beautiful, exhilarating morning ride.