On the rest of the drive to Kabul, Farid talks in a friendlier manner with Amir. He describes the current events of Kabul, when Amir comments that he does not even recognize the city of his childhood. He observes begging children and notices the lack of adult men, who often fall as casualties of war. He remembers, aloud, the kite shop, which Farid says is gone. The landscape is also barren of trees, which Farid says the poor citizens burned for firewood. Amir asks Farid to take him to the site of Baba's orphanage, now destroyed. There, he meets Taliban officers for the first time. After "the beard patrol" leaves, Farid warns him not to stare. An old beggar approaches and Amir offers him some money. He learns the man once taught at.....
