Kabul, early 1970s. ha, ha! Did you see the face they made when you cut their kite, Amir agha?! Right and what when you were first to realize where it fall? They couldn't believe their eyes! I think you could be the one to win the kite tournament this year! Don't be silly, Hassan! Omar's the best He's going to win! I'm serious, Amir agha, with the right kite, you could huh? Hey, you! I know you! You! The Hazara! I knew your mother, do you know that? Yeah all of us knew her, real good We took her by that over Ha, ha, ha! 7
A fine pair of little fairies going around hand in hand! Aren't they cute, guys? Hey, Flat-Nose. How is Babalu, your father? And his leg? one day we should break his other leg, so then he'll stop limping! Eh? You like the idea?! Guys, excuse me I have a question. If I pay you, does that make you my friends or my slaves? Oh no, Assef, if you pay us, we'd be your servants. 27
The end of winter 1975 finally arrived. Winter was kite season, and even if at that time I would never have imagined it, in that winter Hassan ran his last kite for me. I'm being sincere with you, Amir jan, your story is really fine. You should read it, my friend. I'm sure that one day your son will be a famous writer. Of course, all the stories Amir writes are fantastic! Well then why don't you tell us this story if it's so good, Amir? No, I don't it's different than Come on, Amir, your father wants to hear your Well my story is about a man. Yes. It tells of a man who found a cup. It's a magic cup. And one day this man made a discovery And then? Then what happens? The man became rich, but as the pearls piled up, so did his greed grow. The story ends with the man sitting on a mountain of pearls, knife in hand, weeping helplessly into the cup with his beloved wife's slain body in his arms. He learned that if he wept into the cup, his tears turned to pearls! And he he was very poor 33
So, today's the big day, eh? Uhm right Did I ever tell you about when I won the tournament? I was your age and I cut fourteen kites! And nobody's ever beat that record! Good heavens, you must have told that to everyone in Kabul! Rahim jan! Come on, the boy in peace and let's go have breakfast. I'm dying of hunger! You old grumbler, eating too fast will make you fat! See you on the square, Amir! Okay see you. It's a magnificent day today. We'd better get moving! I I really don't feel like flying a kite today. What, are you kidding? You mustn't be afraid of anything. It's really a magnificent day, and it's just a kite tournament Remember that! All we'll lay them all out, Hassan. 35
No, Hassan. We won! We won together! Aha-ah! You did it! You won, Amir agha! Hassan! Come back with that blue Hassan we I know. We'll celebrate Now I'm going to run that blue kite for you! kite! For you a thousand times over! 39
Why those faces, guys? Wali? Kamal? I don't know, Assef. My father says it's a sin. Your father will never know. Since when is it a sin to a lesson to a donkey like that? Hassan! were you? I looked for you! I I I looked for you everywhere! Hey, where are you going? I'm talking to you! I Let's go 44
What is it? Why are you looking at me? I don't know what I've done, Amir agha. I wish you'd tell me. I don't know why we don't play anymore. You haven't done anything, Hassan. Just go. I want you to stop harassing me. I want you to go away. But Come on, Amir, help me! Pass me those tulips! Your mother used to like them What is it, Amir? Why that face? Baba, have you ever thought about getting new servants? Why would I ever want to do that?! What's got into you, Amir? so much I nothing. It was just a question I told you to resolve your problem with Hassan. I grew up with Ali. years Ali's been with my family. And you think I'm just going to him out? I'm Baba. You bring me And Hassan Hassan's not going anywhere, do you understand? He's staying right here with us, where he belongs. Don't you ever ask me that question again! Is that clear? Yes I didn't hear you. Yes, Baba. I'm sorry, I won't do it again. 49
That sounds fun, Assef jan! Wali and Kamal are here, too They wouldn't miss your birthday for anything! one day we can all play a little game of soccer! Hassan if you want to! I I don't really like soccer Hmm well maybe you could play a game of volleyball Nay, no harm done. But you have an open invitation, Amir jan. Here, this is for you. I picked it myself I you like to read, so Aren't you going to thank Assef jan? Excuse him You know, it's one of my favorite books. Tashakor Thanks. 54
Shouldn't you be entertaining your guests? Oh, them They don't need me for that. Baba's there, remember? By the way I didn't know you drink. Only for important occasions. Did I ever tell you I was almost No, really? married once? I was eighteen. Her name was Homaira. She was a Hazara. We'd pass entire days dreaming our wedding We'd have a great, fancy wedding. I would build us a big all white, and then then It's funny. You should have seen the look on my father's face when I told him. My mother fainted. In the end, well, in the end it was me and Homaira against the world. But in the end, it's always the world that wins. That same day, my father put Homaira and her family on a and sent them off to Hazarajat. Then? 55
Amir! Have you already eaten? I thought we could have lunch together, what do you say? What is it? Why that face? I, I'm It's about the watch Now we're going to settle this thing. Hassan! Was it you? Did you Amir's watch? Yes. It was me who stole it. 60
I I forgive you. We are leaving, Agha sahib. What? But I forgive him, Ali, didn't you hear? It does not matter. Life here is impossible for us now, Agha sahib. We're leaving. Today. Ali! I don't care about the watch! Come back! 61
Some years had passed since that cursed day. There had been a coup d'état, and then the Soviets invaded Kabul, our city. Amir! Wake up! We have to go now! Get dressed and get your things! Move! Wait. It's not certain But No "buts" this time, Rahim I have only one thing to ask of you Will you take care of the while I'm gone? Of course it is. They're coming to get me All knows what I think of the Russians! yes Of course, but of course, to? my friend. Don't make that face. We won't be gone long. Afghanistan is a country that hates invaders Now it's late. We must Pakistan. And from there, I'll figure something out! 63
He a half hour with the lady in the back of the It's his price for letting us pass. Why don't you instead ask him his shame is?! What is he saying?! He says this is war. There is no shame in war. Tell him he's War doesn't negate decency. Agha sahib these men are not like us. They understand nothing about respect, honor. Please What did he say? 65
He says says Baba, sit down he'll putting a please. I think he bullet in you almost really means to as much as shoot you Ha ha Fine, tell him he better kill me good with that shot. Because if I don't go down, I'm tearing him to pieces, goddamn his father! Amir! I taught you anything?! What's going on here? Proceed. Tashakor, Agha sahib! 66
Come on, get out! Get out, I said! Everybody out! Hurry! Can you tell us why we're stopping? What's going on? We can't pass the border with the truck. We don't have enough money for everyone. In that. The fuel truck. As you wish. As far as I'm concerned, you can stay here. And so? What do we What? Are you do now?! joking?! There's no light, no air. We'll suffocate! Courage, my son go on in. Is that better ? Yes maybe. Baba jan, I Think of something good, Amir. Something happy. can't breathe! Baba, I I'm afraid. I don't want to. 67
down with the Russia!!! down with the Russia!!! down with the Russia!!! We came home late that night. Listen to me. Become a doctor and you'll save lives. It's better. Where are you going, Amir? I I don't want to be a doctor. I want to write Tsk Write, and then what? Then you'll need a job to make and what will you do? Come with me and pump gas?! Home, why... ? Oh, Baba, you, it's it's Hassan would have been very of you. I wish he could have been with us today Because I thought you might want to see your graduation present An ocean blue Ford Gran Torino. It needs a bit of paint, but I can ask the boys at the station. You'll need it for university. Yes 71
That makes $4.75 change. Thanks, and good day Come back soon! Thanks, bye. Amir jan! Come here! Come here, Amir jan. I want to introduce you to someone. It's General Sahib, Mr. Iqbal Taheri. In Kabul he worked for the Ministry of Defense. Such a lofty introduction! Salaam, bachem. Hello, my child! My son he has finished his first year of college and earned A's in all of his courses. He's going to be a great writer! Salaam Pleased to meet you, General Sahib Excellent news! Afghanistan needs a writer! Will you be writing about our country, history perhaps? Economics? Padar jan you forgot your tea. I write fiction, sir. I like writing stories Ah, a storyteller Well, people need stories to divert them at difficult like this. You know for some amusement... Soraya, my daughter! you 73
The results of the analyses came back. That's why I called you. Amir, wait for me outside. But, Baba I said outside. Oat cell carcinoma. This was the illness Advanced. Inoperable. my father was carrying around with him. 81
But I knew it would not be possible to keep him Pashtun honor and pride. I want to go home. After some time there was no more that could be done. Baba would have to stay in the hospital if he wanted to live longer. But, Baba you heard what the doctors said! Let them say what they want, they can't keep me here. Tomorrow we're going back home. Oh, Baba May we ? Salaam alaykum, my friend so, how do you feel? No bother. We're here for you, if you need anything, anything at all think of me as a brother! Amir, how are you? Salaam, General Taheri You shouldn't have. My heart fills with joy to see you I'm I I I need to step out. Excuse me. 82
Well? What do you think? It's very The end? there is no other end. For me, that is how it ends. What is it, Amir? Do you want to tell me nice, but something? the rest of it? I want to read the ending Well, then I'm the problem Fine, yes Yes, there is something I want to ask you. I want you to go khastegari. Well, let me ask you this. Are you sure? Are you really sure? I want you to ask General Taheri for his daughter's hand. More sure than I've ever been about anything, Baba jan. 84
Well, what are you waiting for? Pass me the Hello? Salaam alaykum General Taheri, I need to speak with you yes would early tomorrow morning be okay? What? You really want to call right now?! And when I, if not now? Go on, get me the phone! we go Really?! That's... Wait. Soraya says she has to talk with you first. Yes, hello, it's me. Talk? Talk about what? The general has accepted. How should I know? Come on, move it, instead of asking silly questions! 85
So there it is! We're getting married! I'm so happy I don't know what to say. I'm happy, too, Amir. Listen, I want to tell you something. Something you have to know before Mmm You see, before coming to California we in Virginia. I was eighteen at the time rebellious stupid, and I ran away with an Afghan man. He was into drugs. We lived together for almost a month. All the Afghans in Virginia were talking about it. Padar eventually found us you can imagine how it went. I was hysterical. Yelling. Screaming. Saying I hated him. All Actually, I'm grateful he came for me that day. I really believe he saved me. Well, a little. No, Soraya, nothing you said changes anything. I want us to marry. Today, even, if we could! Yes. Amir, does what I told you bother you? Then do you want to retract your proposal? 86
To Khan, you can't be serious. My wife is waiting for me at home. Why me? Why can't you pay someone here to go? Shortly before I left, Hassan gave me this. It's for you. Amir jan, I want you to go to Kabul. I want you to Sohrab here. Here in Peshawar, there's a small charity organization, it's clean and safe Maybe Baba was right about me, Rahim jan. You've always had too high an opinion of me. It isn't money, Amir! I will not be insulted! We can offer Sohrab a new life, and I think we both know why it has to be you, don't we? Maybe you're the one who's wrong. And there's something you don't know. Ali had a previous wife, from the Jaghori area. She left him after three years of marriage. What does this have to do with ? She bore daughters to the second man she married. Ali was sterile. I think you know who. Your father loved the two of you, because you were both his sons! And This is impossible! That you all lied to me for all these years! That you robbed me of my right to the truth! That Baba never even Sohrab Sohrab is your nephew! No, he wasn't. He and Sanaubar had Hassan, didn't they? If Ali wasn't the father, then who ? 99
I'll pray for you, Amir jan. Be on your way, now, you have a trustworthy driver waiting for you. I've changed money, got the Polaroid, got the pakol and the beard. That's everything, I What's the matter? Car sick? You should try a lemon! I always bring one for this drive. Want one? I don't know if it will work but thanks. Here we are, the post. Fix that beard With the Taliban, you can't even roam the streets freely. Imagine being caught without a beard! What are you waiting for, a lashing?! Salaam alaykum. Salaam. 101
Why such a frightened face, Mr. Amir? It's it's just that I don't Not used to it? If you want to survive, you have to stop being afraid: an Afghan who is afraid of dying is an Afghan who is already dead He just doesn't know it yet. What are you saying, I'm not a real Afghan? I was raised here, even if I did leave twenty years ago. Let me imagine, Agha sahib. You probably lived in a big two- or three-story house with a nice backyard that your gardener filled with flowers and fruit trees. Your father drove an American car. You had servants, probably Hazaras. You're a writer? Maybe you should tell the rest of the world what the Taliban are to our country. That's not the real Afghanistan, Agha sahib. You've always been a tourist here, you just didn't know it. No, I write stories. Novels. The last one is called A Season for Ashes. Pfff and what brings you back here? Sell this land, sell that house, collect the money, and run away like a Bas! Is that how you treat a guest, my brother? Excuse us, Agha 102
Salaam alaykum. Alaykum salaam. We're searching for this boy. I am I have never seen him. Why not take a closer look? I know all the children in the orphanage, and I've seen that one. Lotfan. Please. His name is Sohrab. His father Hassan was my brother. He knows how to read and write. And he's good with the slingshot. I'm his You were wrong about one thing. He's not good with the slingshot, he's great. I'll take you to my office. uncle I can take him with me to Pakistan! I want to believe you, you look sincere and desperate. But you may well be too late. There is a Talib official. He visits once every month or two. He brings cash with him, not a lot but better than nothing at all. Usually he'll take a girl. But not always. Too late? What do you mean?! 105
Brothers and sisters! We are here today to carry out To carry out justice. We listen to what God says. And what does God say? That sinner must be punished in a manner befitting his sin. It is not I, nor my brothers, who say these words, but God himself! And what manner of punishment befits the adulterer? How shall we punish those who dishonor the sanctity of marriage? How shall we answer those who throw stones at the windows of God's house? Nooooooo!!! Merrrrrcy!!! Helllppppp!! No, pleeeeease!!! We shall throw the stones back! 110
Put down the slingshot, Hazara. Please, agha, stop hurting him. PUT IT DOWN!!! Quiet, you! Bas! Please, no more. No more. Please, agha. I said put that down! Aaaaaah!!!! Aaaaah!!! Help!!! My eye my eyyyyyeee!!! Out! Get it OUT!!! Bia, let's go! 117
Amir! Do you remember who we are today? Al hamdulellah! Of course I remember! you, Farid. For everything. And you, Sohrab jan? I like your new clothes. They are my son's. He has outgrown them. My children have taken a liking to him. Ha, Sohrab? Before I forget, this is from Rahim Khan. He he's left. You are the Amir agha Father told me about? Left? What do you mean left? He just left. He left this letter for you. And you are Sohrab. You saved my life in Kabul. 120
Smoke? No, thanks. let me get it straight: you're the boy's half And the parents are dead? Yes yes Do you have documents to attest to that? And what about those wounds? That's the way things are. Without documents, we can't make an adoption request, and even if we had them, Afghanistan might not accept the request. After all it's a Muslim country, and I don't know if You're telling me it's impossible?! Death certificates? This is Afghanistan we're talking about. Most people there don't have certificates! Not impossible, just very improbable, Mr. Qadiri. As an attorney, I believe the winning hypothesis be to leave Sohrab here in an orphanage, then make the request for We'll present the request form and meanwhile we'll look for an agency to draw up the family report. I Thank you for everything, Mr. Andrews. Thank your attorney, not me! Good-bye. adoption. Going that route, it could work Fine, we'll be in shortly. Good-bye. 125
It's so good to have you both here I know, it hardly true, even to me! What did you see, Sohrab? Kites! Hey, Sohrab, do you want to play, too? There, give me that kite! It's perfect! Come on, Sohrab! Like this! There you go, thank you. You know, Sohrab, your father was the best kite runner in all of Kabul. Sohrab, do you want me to run that kite for you? Give me a bit more line, Sohrab I'll show you the trick your father and I used to win the kite tournament! Keep watching Hurray! We won! Did you see? 131