The Horse Dealer’s Son | Grade 12 Classical Literature Packet | Cornerstone Academics

The Horse Dealer’s Son — Istvan Fekete is twenty years old in Budapest in 1720 and has been with his father's horse Arany — named gold for the color she came in as a foal — since her foaling. His father has prices for every horse, prices refined over decades. On a day when his father is absent, Istvan sells four horses, including Arany. Three at his father's prices, and one at a price that was not his father's price — close enough to defend, fair by the measure Istvan knew how to apply. The story is about what that price cost.

Each packet includes:

• Original classical short story (complete text)
• Notes on historical setting and literary tradition
• Narration prompts (oral and written)
• Comprehension questions — literal and inferential
• Vocabulary exercises
• Character Constellation graphic organizer (including Character Change Axis)
• Story Arc study (five movements, with attention to subtler turning points)
• Theme & Meaning questions
• Socratic discussion questions
• Literary Analysis (tone, diction, imagery, symbolism, contrast, motif, irony, structure, turning points, foreshadowing, allusion, narrative lens, narrative distance, narrative restraint)
• Copywork and memory work
• Optional writing prompts (reflective, explanatory, creative, analytical)
• Complete parent answer key
• Standards alignment

Written for Grade 12. Suitable for Grades 11–12 with guidance. This packet is available as a digital download only.