Summary

In “Occupational Hazards,” the narrator was a shepherd in Logar from 1966 through 1980. Their duties included “leading sheep to the pastures near the Black Mountains,” and taking their younger brother Watak “on journeys” (118).

As a grade school student in Logar from 1969 - 1975, the narrator’s duties included “sneaking away from home. . . to sign up for classes,” “learning,” “fighting,” and getting “thrashes” (118, 119).

As a Logar farmer from 1971 - 1982, the narrator was responsible for plowing, planting, harvesting, “avoiding beatings from half-brothers,” and protecting Watak from half-brothers (120). When they saw the Captain flying a “tactical fighter jet,” they began “dreaming of jets” (121).

From 1972 - 1976, the narrator worked as a merchant’s assistant in Kabul. They followed Hajji Alo everywhere, learning his “haggling technique” (121). Every night, they retold “Hajji Alo’s stories” to Watak (122).

They worked as a merchant from 1976 - 1978 in...