Physical Journey – 1st Entry

Our Son Amir

Early Summer , 1976 - Kabul, Afghanistan 


- Rahim Khan 

It was a normal sunny day in Kabul, the sun was shining, the kids were running around flying their kites and the market inside the city was full of people as usual. The day passed, and after a long day Baba and myself had a chat in Baba's study room. I sat down and started to converse with Baba. During our conversation, the usual rant and topic of Amir came up. I believed that deep down inside Baba loved Amir and wanted the best for him, but at the same time he always complained how Amir was not the greatest son and that he was a coward and that he would not stick up for anything and anybody.  Baba said that "There is something missing in that boy" and that  “a boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything."  I laughed at what Baba had to say I was used to it. I defended Amir by replying to Baba's comment by saying “Children aren’t coloring books. You don’t get to fill them with your favorite colors.” I also said that "you just need to let him find his way, because he will." Amir is a very bright, good and polite kid and  I believe that one day he would have great success. He just needs time to become come comfortable with himself and be raised by the right people. At the moment in time though, it it is hard for Amir because his father Baba always brings him down, does not have enough faith and support in his own son and mis treats him I wish Amir the best as he is like a son to me that I never had. So I figure that I need to help Baba be a good parent act like Amir's father for his childhood. I will get Baba and Amir through this physical journey. I figure that this wont be to difficult since I have always understood Amir, and he always understood me. We had a special connection. Even Baba said: “Look, I know there’s a fondness between you and him and I’m happy about that. Envious, but happy. I mean that."


Early Summer , 1976 - Kabul, Afghanistan 


- Baba

I love my son Amir and he is the only thing that I have left since my wife has passed away giving birth to him. I wish to see Amir just like myself be a well respect business man around Kabul.  My only concern is that Amir is not like the other children. Having a chat with Rahim Khan I stated that Amir is " always buried in those books or shuffling around the house like he’s lost in some dream.” I do not know what to do with Amir. I was not like that at all . “Sometimes I look out this window and I see him playing on the street with the neighborhood boys. I see how they push him around, take his toys from him, give him a shove here, a whack there. And, you know, he never fights back. Never. He just... drops his head and...”Amir is a coward and like I told Rahim Khan before “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything." I do not want Amir to grow up a coward because he will not be successful. I trouble Rahim Khan about Amir because I want the best for my son, and I believe with the help of Rahim Khan that Amir will overcome this physical stage, and I will overcome these physical troubles.