Summary

One summer when first person narrator, Aram, was nine years old, his cousin, Mourad, woke him at four in the morning. He looked out the window to see Mourad riding a horse. Unable to believe his eyes, Aram wondered if he was dreaming. Mourad assured him he was not. Because their family was so poor, Aram knew the only way Mourad could have acquired the horse was by stealing it. Yet his family was known for their pride and honesty. Aram knew none of them "would take advantage of anybody in the world, let alone steal" (3). Despite his worries that Mourad may have taken the horse, Aram went outside per his cousin's command. He had always dreamed of riding a horse, and did not want to miss his one opportunity to learn.

As he dressed, Aram became convinced Mourad had stolen the horse...