Weeks pass faster than Parvana realizes, and soon the days get colder, and the children’s food reserves wane. They watch planes pass overhead and hear an explosion in the distance. The presence of war begins to draw nearer, and the constant sound of outlying explosions keeps the children up at night. During the day, Parvana teaches Leila and Grandmother to read. Although Asif claims he doesn’t want any part of the “stupid school” time (122), he always stays close enough with Hassan to hear the lessons. One day, they hear an explosion in the minefield and find a goat that has only been partially destroyed. They have a party, washing and dressing in nice, clean clothes, and roast the goat.

After eating as much as they can of the delicious meat, they sing songs together by the fire until night comes, and the bombs begin to fall. This time, the bombs sound much louder and closer, and one lands just outside Green Valley, shaking the ground. Leila tries to run to Grandmother, who is near the house, but Parvana holds her back. The bombing continues, and one bomb lands directly on Green Valley.