Parvana's Journey

As Parvana huddles with the boys and wonders what to do, she spots a girl hurrying toward them across the minefield. When the girl gets closer, it’s evident that she’s even younger than Asif. She’s dirty, wearing a makeshift dress, and sores from disease and infection cover her face. The girl expresses excitement to see other children, and she leads them through the minefield to her house. The house is nestled in a clearing surrounded by hills, but it is in horrible condition. Rotting animal carcasses sit in the yard covered with flies and emit a sickening stench, weeds and trash litter the yard, and Parvana can tell from the smell that the girl has been going to the bathroom in the yard as well. The house also is in disrepair, and the girl leads them inside, explaining that she lives with her grandmother. The grandmother huddles on a mattress in the corner, and the only sign she’s still alive is the slight rise and fall of her body as she breathes.

The girl, named Leila, gives them some water and rice to eat. However, Hassan refuses to eat at first until Asif coaxes him to eat and drink a little.