The Kite Runner | Chapter 19

Amir enters Afghanistan with the help of Farid a battle scarred Tajik who drives a battered Land Cruiser. He has contempt for Amir because he was born with privilege. Farid dislikes Amir at first because he believes that the only reason Amir is returning to Afghanistan is so that he can sell off his property, and ultimately make money. Farid takes Amir to Wahid's (his brother) house in Jalalabad. There, Amir is served a dinner, which he offers to share with Wahid's children. Amir notices that the children are staring at his watch. During dinner, Amir reveals to Wahid and his family that he has returned to Afghanistan in order to rescue his half brother's son. Wahid is impressed and praises Amir saying, "you are an honorable man, Amir agha, a true Afghan." Later on, he overhears Wahid and his wife arguing that they had to give food to Amir since he was a guest, even though they barely had any food for themselves. Farid thinks better of him when he learns why he is going to Kabul. Farid and Amir leave the house, and Amir gives his watch to one of the children. However, Amir realizes the kids weren't staring at his watch at all, they were actually staring at his food. At the very end of the chapter, Amir reveals to us that he has put money under his matress for the children to find and buy food with. He also realized it had been 26 years since he had put money under someone's bed; the first time, however, was for a terrible purpose. This reveals how much Amir has grown and changed as a man.