A Moving Passage

Passage:

“The Afghan soldier said something too, in a low, reasoning voice. But the Russian soldier shouted something that made the other two flinch. I could feel Baba tightening up next to me. Karim cleared his throat, dropped his head. Said the Soldier wanted a half hour with the lady in the back of the truck.

            The young women pulled the shawl down over her face. Burst into tears. The toddler sitting in her husband’s lap started crying too. The husband’s face had become pale as the moon hovering above. He told Krim to ask “Mister Soldier Sahib” to show a little mercy, maybe he had a sister or a mother, maybe he had a wife too. The Russian listened to Karim and barked a series of words.

            “It’s the price for letting us pass,” Karim said. He couldn’t bring himself to look the husband in the eye.

            “But we’ve paid a fair price already. He’s getting paid good money,” the husband said.

            Karim and the Russian soldier spoke. “He says…he says every price has a tax.”

            That was when Baba stood up. It was my turn to clamp a hand on his thigh, but Baba pried it loose, snatched his leg away. When he stood, he eclipsed the moonlight. “I want you to ask this man something,” Baba said. He said it to Karim, but looked directly at the Russian officer. “Ask him where his shame is (p114-115).”

“We road in silence for about fifteen minutes before the young women’s husband suddenly stood and did something I’d seen many others do before him: He kissed Baba’s hand (117).”

This passage shows a glimpse of the war they were trying to escape, all of the segregation and Rape their country was about to face. They were all mistreated and taken for granted because they were all looked down upon. This passage appeals to me because of when Baba stood up for that man, He knew that they were being taken for granted and would not stand for it. He even risked his own life when the Russian officer had him at gun point but Baba still stood strong like an ox. I thought that this passage was important because it shows the morals and religious aspects the Afghans have.  The women in the back of the van was already married so it was absurd for the Russian officer to ask such a thing. This passage shows how brave and courageous Baba is, he would have died for someone else’s wife and because of his selflessness people give him immense respect and kiss him on the hand. Back at his homeland Baba had a big house, with lush gardens and servants to help them around the house. Locals respected him and knew he was a good man. When Baba moved to America everything was turned upside down, no one knew he, Amir and he were crammed in a small apartment, and Baba was always working hard at the gas station to make ends meet. He did it all for Amir, so that Amir would be able to build a bright future in America where its safe and secure compared to Kabul where the war was going on.