Summary

Parvana was sent out the next day with Father’s writing supplies to try to earn money reading and writing letters. She went to the same spot where she and her father had set up the supplies in the past. Her first customer was a Taliban soldier. He handed her a letter written to his late wife. The letter was from the wife’s aunt, congratulating her on her wedding and apologizing for not being able to attend the ceremony. Parvana was surprised when she saw a tear fall from the man’s eye.

The only other customer before lunch wanted to buy her red shalwar kameez. Parvana was not sure how much to ask; so, she bartered with the man as she had heard her father do. When they were finished, Parvana was so proud of herself for making a sale that she...