Omar and his mother live in a one-room home in a small, rural Pakistani village. Omar’s mother works as a servant for the family of Omar’s female friend, Amal. Omar and his mother are fortunate in that Amal’s family treats them like part of their own family. Omar has just received a scholarship to attend the Ghalib Academy for Boys, an exclusive boarding school. Omar knows that attending Ghalib is a huge step towards improving his and his mother’s lives, for the opportunity will allow him to go to college, find a good job, and support his mother. Still, Omar is sad to leave his village and his friends, Fuad, Zaki, and Amal.

Before Omar goes to Ghalib, Amal and her little sisters call him in from his soccer game with Fuad and Zaki to attend his surprise goodbye party—which Omar already knows about. Omar promises to pretend to be surprised and is truly amazed to see how many villagers have come to congratulate him. Amal’s father, whom Omar calls Malik Uncle, tells Omar that he is the pride of the village. Omar wishes that going to Ghalib would not require him to leave his old life behind.