Jalil's Regret and Redemption

Follows Jalil's story from the wealthy, ashamed father to the dying man who seeks forgiveness from Mariam.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Rejection

A Father's Betrayal The Closed Door Mariam walks to Herat to see Jalil. He refuses to see her. He sends a driver to send her away. She sleeps outside his gate. The next morning, she sees his face in the window before the curtains close. Nana's Suicide Mariam returns to the kolba to find Nana has hanged herself. Jalil's rejection directly causes her mother's death. Mariam is consumed by guilt. The Nikka Jalil and his wives force Mariam to marry Rasheed. She is sent away. Jalil does not defend her. He is weak and ashamed.

The Letter and the Inheritance

A Father's Apology The Visit to Kabul Jalil drives from Herat to Kabul, old and dying. He waits outside Mariam's house, but she refuses to see him. He leaves a letter and a tin box with Mullah Faizullah. The Letter In his letter, Jalil expresses deep regret. He tells Mariam about the deaths of his other children. He asks for forgiveness. He leaves her an inheritance of dollars. The Video Jalil also includes a video of Pinocchio, the film Mariam wanted to see as a child. He is trying to make amends, but Mariam never opens the box. After his death, she learns of it too late.

The Letter Is Read

Posthumous Redemption Laila Discovers the Letter After Mariam's death, Laila visits Herat and meets Hamza. He gives her the tin box. She opens it and reads Jalil's letter. The Gift Laila understands Jalil's love, however flawed. The inheritance helps her start a new life. She sees that Jalil was a weak man, but he did love Mariam. Mariam's Legacy Laila uses the money to help rebuild the orphanage. She honors both Jalil and Mariam. The forgiveness that Jalil sought is granted through Laila's actions.

spring 1974, when Mariam comes to his house

1987, Jalil's last days

2002, when Laila opens the box