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King of the Wind, The Story of the Godolphin Arabian Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of King of the Wind, The Story of the Godolphin Arabian


Agba was a wretched mute slave boy in the horse stables owned by the Sultan of Morocco. His responsibilities were to feed and care of ten of the Sultan's prized Arabians. This day, one mare in particular needed extra attention as she was preparing to foal. Agba was summoned by Signor Achmet, the Chief of Grooms and was told to watch the mare carefully this night as it was her time. Agba was overjoyed as he loved the horse very much. She was his favorite of all. The boy bowed low and then rushed to the brooding stable. As time passed the he watched her closely. So closely that his eyes became heavy and eventually he fell asleep. When he awoke the mare had given birth to a beautiful little bay colored foal. The mare was weak. Too weak to ever get up again and she soon passed. Agba took it upon himself to nurse the colt as a mother would. He gave the future stallion the name of Sham.
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A great friendship grew as Sham was beautiful stallion and swifter than most. Agba spent extra care on this particular horse and it showed. One day, the horse boy was summoned to the Sultan's palace along with five other boys. This was devastating because everyone knew that no summoned slave boy had ever returned. The boys were prepared by being washed and shaved. Each placed a lizard inside their frock for luck and the trek to the palace began. The fear soon turned to joy as it was announced that five of the finest stallions were to be given to the King of France as a gift. In addition, each horse should have a personal groom for life and these five boys were the chosen ones. Agba's joy turned once again to fear as he dreaded leaving his beloved Sham behind. These fears were abated as it was announced Sham would be the bay colored gift. After all he was the finest bay in the stables. Agba was overjoyed.

Once again Agba's joy turned to pain in this emotional rollercoaster of a story. The boat trip was hard on everyone as the ship's supply master pocketed the money that was allotted for food. When the horses and boys arrived in France they were mere skin and bones. The gifts were met with laughter and disdain then promptly ordered to be returned to Morocco. All save one. Sham and Agba were chosen to stay. This was not a good thing at all as Sham had stepped on an official's foot thereby angering him. Both were sent to serve the royal cook.

This incident is only the beginning of a series of unfortunate events that finally lead both traveler's to their rightful places of honor. This is the story of the Godolphin Arabian, The father of famed Man O'War and the father of many other prize winning race horses. Many centuries later the name of the Godolphin Arabian can be found in the pedigrees of the finest thoroughbreds.
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Chapter Analysis of King of the Wind, The Story of the Godolphin Arabian

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Plot & Themes

Tone of book?    -   thoughtful Time/era of story    -   1600-1899 Animal story    -   Yes Kind of animal:    -   horse Ethnic/Regional/Religion    -   Arab/Muslim Poverty, surviving    -   Yes Kind of living:    -   rags to riches story Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Ethnic/regional/gender life    -   Yes

Main Character

Profession/status:    -   slave Age:    -   a kid Ethnicity/Nationality    -   Arab

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   2 () Europe    -   Yes European country:    -   England/UK    -   France Africa    -   Yes Kind of Africa:    -   Arabic Africa Misc setting    -   fancy mansion

Writing Style

Amount of dialog    -   significantly more descript than dialog

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Marguerite Henry Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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