The Pearl that Broke Its Shell

by Nadia Hashimi

Warlords were Afghanistan’s new aristocracy. Allegiance to a man with local clout meant a better life.

I kicked my foot, pretending there was a ball in front of me. Was that it? Was I a boy already?

“What happens if you pass under a rainbow?” Rohila asked. “There’s a legend that walking under a rainbow changes girls into boys and boys into girls.”

“Tell your wives to get her washed up. Warn them that her face will turn their stomachs. And tell them to feed her. We must deal with this creature now if we are to save our good name within the village. May God punish her for keeping her father from us, my son! Not even telling us when he left this world! She will pay for this.”

was a young man and it was in my nature to run through the streets.

“He didn’t ask me. He said for me to tell my sister. That’s you. Anyway, I’m going out. Don’t take all day. He looks like he’s hungry,”

I felt a thrill as I chased after him. I liked being part of the team. I liked the dust kicking up under my feet. I liked being a boy.

“I should be on my way then. I trust this will satisfy my family’s debt to you. And please know that my mother sends her warmest regards to your wife as well.”

Men could do what they wanted with women. There would be no stopping what Padar had set in motion.

you have an obligation to your husband. It won’t be easy at first but . . . but with time you’ll learn how to . . . how to tolerate these things that Allah has created for us.” When Madar-jan began to cry, we cried as well. I didn’t want to know what it was Madar-jan was talking about. It sounded like it was something terrible.

The women of this family don’t travel much. Get used to these walls. They’re going to be all you see.”

“The human spirit, you know what they say about the human spirit? It is harder than a rock and more delicate than a flower petal.”

She wasn’t alone. Most women in our village didn’t know how to read.

remember that life has typhoons. They come and turn everything upside down. But you still have to stand up because the next storm may be around the corner.”

“That’s how it is for girls. A daughter doesn’t really belong to her parents. A daughter belongs to others,”