Original subtitles

Subtitles by explosiveskull Resync by GoldenBeard

[people chattering]

[chattering continues]

- [man speaking in Afghan language] - [chattering continues]

[man] Beautiful items for sale!

Anything written! Anything read! Pashto and Dari!

- Beautiful items for sale! - [chattering continues]

[man] Anything written. Anything read.

Pashto and Dari. Beautiful items for sale.

I saw you serve a woman! I saw you with my own eyes!

- Uh, I really don't think... - You were!

Anything written. Anything read.

Pashto and Dari. Beautiful items for sale.

Parvana.

It's the only thing of value we have left.

I never wore it. Not even once.

Where would you wear it, Parvana?

- Let's continue your studies. All right? - Yes, Baba.

Now, what can you tell me about the Silk Road?

The Silk Road.

Baba, I can't remember about the Silk Road.

Maybe if we think of it like a story.

Stories remain in our hearts even when all else is gone.

Our people have always told stories, from our very beginning,

when we were Parthia and Khorasan.

[Baba] A fractured land in the claws of the Hindu Kush mountains,

scorched by the fiery eyes of the Northern Deserts,

black rubble earth against ice peaks.

Our land was the petrified skeleton of a monster.

We were Ariana,

the land of the noble and honorable.

We were a pathway to everywhere,

carrying goods from east to west.

We studied the stars

and began to see order amidst the chaos.

We were scientists, philosophers, and storytellers.

Questions sought answers and then more questions.

We began to see our place in the universe.

But we were at the edges of empires at war with each other,

as borders were defined and redefined...

- [shouting, horses whinnying] - over thousands of years.

Of these mighty rulers came Cyrus the Great of Persia.

Then Alexander the Great of Macedon.

There came the Mauryan Empire,

Genghis Khan,

and so on and so on.

Each time there was bloodshed,

and each time there were survivors.

A pattern repeating itself endlessly.

[horse whinnies]

When I was young, Parvana,

I knew what peace felt like, here in this city.

Children went to school, women went to university.

All the empires forgot about us,

for a while at least.

[explosion]

- But it did not last. - [men shouting]

The ground became weak under our feet,

always uncertain.

First came a coup d'état, then an invasion,

then a civil war.

In the chaos,

some looked to those who might restore order.

But at a great cost.

[man shouting] We have determined specific dignity for women!

Women should not go outside and attract unnecessary attention!

If a woman shows herself, she will be cursed by the Islamic Sharia

and should never expect to go to heaven.

Everything changes, Parvana.

Stories remind us of that.

Parvana, were you listening at all?

Yes, Baba.

Why don't you tell me about our nomadic ancestors

and their hills of gold?

Well?

2,000 years ago...

- Yes? - 2,000 years ago...

[Parvana] there was a Bactrian princess

who had a crown.

[Baba] And?

- [Parvana] And... - Parvana?

Away. Keep away from my things.

Go away. I said go away, you silly dog!

Hey, you! What do you think you're doing?

Why is this girl shouting?

She is only a child. She meant nothing by it.

She's drawing attention to herself!

She should be at home, not displaying herself in the market.

I have no son at home, except an infant. I need my daughter to help me.

- Stand up when we talk to you. - I am a cr...

I said stand up!

[groans]

- I know you. - Yes, Idrees.

I was your teacher once. You were a good student.

You wasted my time, teaching me things of no worth.

I have joined the Taliban and now I fight the enemies of Islam.

Well, if I am an enemy, then for my sins God has taken my leg.

Are you making fun of me, old man?

I lost my leg in the war. The war we fought together.

- How old is the girl? - Idrees.

- She is a child. - She's old enough to marry.

I'll be looking for a wife soon.

She's already been promised to someone.

Well, she should cover herself properly.

- Maybe you should stop looking at her. - What did you say to me?

I said stop looking at her.

- I can have you killed! - Idrees.

- You watch what you say! - That's enough. Come on.

[exhales]

Are you all right?

Yes, Baba.

That's my girl.

Let's go home now.

[sighs]

Parvana?

You told that boy I was promised to someone.

Am I getting married?

[chuckling] Of course not. You are still a child.

I want you playing and telling stories.

I'm too old for that now.

Too old for stories? You've always loved stories.

What's the use?

I'll have a word with Mama-jan and we'll sort it all out.

Please don't mention the dress.

[humming]

Then I'll never hear the end of it.

- The end of what? - Nothing, Mama-jan.

[Baba] We're not selling Parvana's good dress.

Baba, that's not what I meant.

We need the money, Baba.

We'll hold off for a bit. I think business will pick up.

If business picks up, then we won't have to sell it, sure.

But the sky is far and the earth is hard. We will have to sell it soon.

Well, what about a little story before dinner?

And we'll forget all about dresses for a while.

Maybe Parvana would like to read something for us?

Not right now, Mama-jan. I'm tired.

[chuckles] She's not a child anymore, she tells me.

So she doesn't like stories.

Don't be in such a hurry to grow up, my sweet girl.

It might not be all that you expect.

We're out of water. You didn't bring enough this morning.

But there's half a bucket by the door.

When I was young enough to fetch water, the buckets were never empty.

- Hey! - [mother] Girls, stop it.

- Either you go out and get more water after dinner... - [humming]

or you can wash Zaki's dirty diapers.

- How are you feeling? - Better.

Now that you're here.

Maybe if you didn't wash your hair so much, we wouldn't run out so quickly.

- Parvana. - [Baba] You should have some respect.

Why don't you eat, hmm?

- Things always look better when your belly is full. - Yes, Maudar.

[babbling]

Zaki, Zaki, wait till I pull up your sleeves.

No, Mama-jan.

- There. There you go. - [babbling continues]

Don't eat all the raisins, Parvana. Leave them for Zaki.

Why don't you give him that big raisin on your chin, Soraya?

Oh, but it's not a raisin.

It's a big, hairy mole.

Parvana, apologize to Soraya.

Parvana?

[knocking on door]

[Idrees] He's in there! I saw him!

- [man shouting] If there are women present... - Baba?

Cover yourselves now!

That's the man. An enemy of Islam.

He's got forbidden books, and he's teaching the women with them!

- Leave us be! - He's done nothing!

- Nurullah Alizai, you must come with us. - [all shouting]

Baba!

- You can't take him! - Baba!

- [screams, groans] - Baba-jan!

[Zaki crying]

Where is he being taken?

To prison.

They'll teach him a good lesson in Pul-e-Charkhi.

- [sobbing] - Baba!

Baba!

[engine starts]

[gasps]

Mama-jan? Can I light the lamp?

Hush, Parvana. You'll wake Zaki.

But if they let Baba go,

he'll need a light in the window to see home.

How could he come home? He doesn't even have his stick to walk with.

Go back to sleep. It will be all right.

How do you know that, Mama-jan? How do you know?

Be quiet, Parvana. She has enough to worry about.

[laughing, babbling]

Hey! Zaki, stop it.

[squealing, laughing]

Get up, Parvana. Stop playing around.

Why? What's going on?

You and I are going to find Baba.

The boy said he was being taken to Pul-e-Charkhi prison, so that's where we are going.

But we can't go outside without Baba.

Soraya is writing a letter for the prison governor

to protest Nurullah's arrest and ask for his release.

- At least I can give them that. - Mama-jan, it's not allowed.

We might be all right if we don't draw attention to ourselves.

- But we can't... - Come on, Parvana.

And bring Baba's walking stick. We have to get going.

[groans]

Mama.

Hey.

Hey, you!

Salaam. Can you tell me the way to Pul-e-Charkhi?

Salaam. Uh, it's east, past the river.

- But it's a long way. - Thank you, sir.

Listen. Go through the old town, or you'll be caught.

[truck stops]

- [engine off] - [door opens, closes]

- Why are you out here by yourself? - [stammering]

- Where is your husband? - I have no choice.

It's not permitted to be out here without your husband or your brother.

- I'm sorry. I know. - Do you understand?

- I am bringing a letter protesting my husband's arrest... - Just go home.

- No! - What do you mean, "no"?

This is Nurullah Alizai, my husband.

- He was arrested last night with no charges laid against him. - Photographs are forbidden!

- I have no one at home... - What are you doing, showing me a photograph?

- Out here by yourself. Go home! - There is no one in my house except for children.

You have no business out here. Do you understand? Go home. Immediately.

You're looking for trouble now!

You are an insult to your husband, to your race!

I need to find out what happened to him!

- Shut up! - [mother screaming, groaning]

[man grunting]

Going to the prison will change nothing.

- [groans] - If you make trouble like this,

your husband will be punished severely for your insolence.

And if I find you out here again by yourself, I will arrest you.

Now go.

[truck door opens, closes]

[truck engine starts]

Mama-jan?

[whispers] Take me home.

[groans]

[sighs]

[gasps]

- More! - Shh.

Go get water, Parvana. We have none left.

- [Zaki fussing] - Come on.

[man] Get out!

What are you up to?

Get out of here. They'll see you!

[man, faint] Hey, stop!

Stop when I tell you!

Through here!

Stop!

Where did that boy go?

Did you see? Did you see?

- Hey, you! Girl! - Hey!

- Come on! - Forget about her!

Parvana, this is only half a bucket.

Couldn't you fill them up all the way?

- [babbling, fussing] - Zaki, shh. Don't wake her.

- Hush, Zaki. - Mama-jan!

- Shh. - Sooth him, Parvana.

[whining] Mama-jan.

- Tell him a story. - [sighs]

Mama...

One time in the distant past,

there was a little village at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains.

- I want Mama-jan. - Shh. Listen.

The villagers had just managed to gather precious seeds.

And so, there was dancing and singing and laughing and eating.

Everyone was happy.

Especially for one boy

who danced and sang and laughed and ate more than anyone else.

[chattering, laughing]

[singing in Afghan language]

While the villagers were dancing and singing and laughing and eating,

monsters were coming.

- [thunderclap] - [growling, roaring]

The monsters frightened the donkeys and ate the trees.

They stole the most precious thing in the whole village...

[screaming, shouting]

the seeds for next year's crop.

Then they ran back to the Hindu Kush mountains where their master lay...

the dreadful Elephant King with spikes for tusks.

- Grrrroar! - [roaring]

Grroar! Grroar!

- [trilling] - Grroar!

[coughing]

Mama-jan.

[babbling]

[Zaki singing]

[babbling]

Please eat, Mama-jan. You'll feel better when your belly is full.

[moans]

There's hardly any food left.

I'll go to the market.

[chattering, shouting]

- Salaam. - Salaam. Twelve oranges, please.

100 afghani.

Thank you.

Salaam. How much for six apples, please?

Salaam, child. I can't serve you.

But, sir, can I please have six apples?

- Get your father to buy food for you. - My father has been taken.

I'm sorry. Maybe come back later.

[sizzling]

[chattering]

Literally stolen. But you know...

Salaam. Can I have a kilo of rice, please?

- Salaam. - Hey, you!

Girl!

Hey, stop!

Stop when I tell you!

[gasps, groans]

Go! Go home!

[Parvana] I dropped the bag.

- Hush. - I lost the money.

- Keep your head back. - I can get the water though.

Don't worry about that now.

I saved you a piece of naan.

I'll heat it up for you so it's nice and fresh. All right?

- [Parvana] What are we going to do? - I don't know.

Maybe if I go out early, before it's crowded.

It won't work, Parvana.

Market sellers won't risk getting in trouble for serving you.

Mama-jan has cousins in Mazar-e-Sharif.

I could write to them for help.

But we've never even met them. How do you know they will help?

We need food now.

These were your brother's clothes.

They will be big, but we can take them up a bit.

Do I look like a boy?

You look like Sulayman.

- So much like him. - Mama-jan.

He was such a good boy.

Not much older than you are now.

Shh.

It's all right, Mama-jan.

Parvana is going to the market for food and water.

It's the only way, Mama-Jan. We have nothing left.

[chattering in Afghan language]

But these juices are warm. I don't want warm juice.

[squawking, clucking]

[flies buzzing]

- [laughing] - Yes, that's what I said, but you know...

Salaam. Salaam!

Excuse me. Salaam!

Salaam! Salaam! Come inside, boy!

- I'm not going to deliver, am I? - [both laughing]

[shopkeeper] But you know how it goes, right?

Well, let's hear it.

I need a kilo of rice, a half kilo of lentils, and a small amount of raisins.

A small amount? [laughs]

Should I go by my imagination?

- Yes. - [man laughing]

Not very bright, this one. [laughs]

Poor iron won't make a sharp sword. [laughing]

Look at him smiling! [laughs]

Little guy doesn't even know when he's being made fun of.

Thank you. Thank you very, very much.

You're spilling the tea.

Sorry, Uncle.

Who are you? Why were you staring at me?

- What is your name? - My name?

- I know you from somewhere. - No... I wasn't...

- Wasn't what? - [stammering] You don't know me.

- I do know you. - No!

- I do know you! You're Parvana! - I'm not!

I am Shauzia! Remember? From school?

- Shauzia? - I had long hair then, but so did you.

- [man] Deliwar. - Don't tell anyone.

Here's your cap.

You need to get a boy's name

so you don't hesitate next time somebody asks you.

I am Deliwar now.

It means "brave."

- [man] Where are you? - I-I have to run.

It was good to see you.

Deliwar.

[Soraya] Mama-jan, please sit down.

- It will be curfew soon. What if she's not back by then? - She's fine. I'm...

Who's hungry?

[sighs] Parvana.

Praise Allah. He has returned you to me.

[chuckling] Mama-jan, you're squashing the naan.

It smells delicious, Parvana.

[Parvana chuckles]

Zaki.

It's me. See?

I bought them especially for you.

- [chuckles] - Parvana?

If you run out and get some water,

he'll get used to you by the time you come back.

- But I'm tired. - Hurry on, Parvana.

It's almost curfew.

[shouting, chattering]

You look so much like him.

Go change Sulayman's clothes,

or you'll get them dirty.

They are already dirty.

[babbling] Elephant.

- What? - [babbling]

He wants you to continue your story about the elephant.

[babbling] Elephant.

Well, um...

in the village,

under the Hindu Kush mountains,

the poor villagers cried bitter tears.

[villagers sobbing]

They did not know what they would do without their precious bag of seeds.

They would have nothing to sow come next spring

and nothing to eat come next winter.

But the boy, he did not cry bitter tears.

He looked toward the mountain and he shouted...

I am not afraid of you,

big, spiky, bad Elephant King!

- [thunderclap] - [elephant roaring]

Well, maybe he was a little bit afraid.

He told the villagers who had been weeping bitter tears

that he would get the bag of seed back before spring.

I will get the bag of seed back before spring.

- But they laughed. - [all laughing]

They laughed and laughed, because he was a child and not a great warrior.

Yet the boy repeated his promise.

I said, I will get the bag of seed back before spring.

And he left the village

to the sound of the Elephant King's roars ahead of him.

[thunderclap]

Roar!

[squealing]

[laughing]

[mother laughing]

[loudspeaker: man chanting prayer]

Mama-jan, now that I am a boy

we can go to the prison and find Baba.

No, Parvana, we can't do that.

- Why not? - Shh.

It's not that simple, Parvana.

But we have to try.

- There's nothing we can do. - That's not true.

Stop it, Parvana. You're upsetting her.

[Idrees] Hey! Hey! I told you to stop! Why do you keep running?

You should have stopped when you were told to.

Where's your burqa? Why are you dressed like this outside your house?

[crying] My husband took my burqa. I needed to buy medicine.

[whispering] Stop it. Stop it.

He should be punished for letting you outside like this!

- Please, please! Please! - You have to take his punishment!

- [woman screaming] - [blows landing]

Stay inside where you belong!

[tweeting]

Deliwar. Deliwar!

Well? Have you remembered your name yet?

I don't think I can go on like this.

Too bad. I could use some help.

- I saw something. - What do you want me to say?

I should have helped.

- You'd have helped yourself to a good whipping, that's all. - But I'm not a boy.

You're not a boy, you're not a girl.

I need a helper because this tray is too heavy. Will you help?

Scratch my nose. Quickly. If I let go of the tray, the strap will break.

[sighs] That's better.

- Aatish. - What?

I remembered my name. It's Aatish.

- That's not really a name. - It means "fire."

I know what it means, but it's still not a name.

Then it suits me fine.

I'll call you Aatish then.

When you're a boy you can go anywhere you like,

Aatish Khan.

Where are we going?

You'll see.

What if someone sees us?

I usually just pretend I work here.

If you look like you believe it, then they will too.

See? We're cleaners.

What are you waiting for?

It's either ours, or the mice eat it.

I need to find a way to see my Baba.

You can have mine if you like. I don't want him.

My father was taken to prison and we've heard nothing of him since.

- They won't let you see him, Parvana. - But I'm a boy now.

Doesn't make a difference. They'll keep him or let him go, but there's nothing you can do.

You don't know that.

I'm sorry. It's just the way it is.

There might be a way, but you'll need lots of money.

What for?

You can get a lot done with bribes. A lot.

[Parvana] Anything written. Anything read.

Pashto and Dari.

Wonderful items for sale.

Anything written! Anything read!

Anything written! Anything read!

What happened to the man who used to sit here?

It is a simple question.

Don't you know?

How should I know? Answer the question. Where is he?

- He left for Mazar-e-Sharif. - And what are you to him?

I'm his nephew, uh... Aatish.

Do you know how to read?

- Do you have something to read? I read Pashto and Dari. - Read this.

Let's see if you're any good.

[sighs]

Come on. Take it out of the envelope.

"Dear Razaq..."

Louder, or I will have to take my business elsewhere.

"Dear Razaq, I hope this letter reaches you in Kabul.

I'm writing to you with sad news.

I am sorry to tell you that Hala Begum died on the way to her sister's wedding.

The bus she was traveling on hit a land mine.

Her injuries were too great to bear

and she died some hours afterward.

I know this must be a great shock to you,

but please know that when I last spoke to Hala,

she told me of your kindness toward her.

May Allah bless you now,

guide your path, and give you courage."

I'm sorry.

[sighs]

[mother] Ah, there's my sweet little girl

underneath all the dust of Kabul.

[Zaki fussing]

[Soraya] Parvana, what did you give Zaki?

- It's a piece of candy. - A piece?

Oh!

It's big enough to choke him!

Let him be, Soraya. You're spoiling his fun.

[fussing continues]

Ow!

[mother] Continue the story, Parvana.

- For Zaki. - [Zaki exclaims]

[Parvana] There was this young boy,

and he promised his people to find the precious seeds.

Elephant? Elephant?

Yes, and the elephant.

At night, the boy walked through the pine trees

on his way to the mountain to face the Elephant King.

Something was following him in the darkness,

but he was too terrified to turn around and face it.

He began to run,

and the thing that chased him also ran.

The boy ran faster and so did his pursuer.

He ran into the night,

chased by the unknown demons until he could run no more.

He tumbled down a hill.

- [screaming] - Down.

Down.

Down.

[sighs]

[mother] Dear Cousin, it has been many years since we have spoken,

but I am writing to you now to tell you that my husband has been arrested

and we have no word on when he will be released, if at all.

My family is in a desperate situation and I need your help.

My eldest daughter is now of age,

and I am asking that you consider her as a bride for your youngest son, Ajmal.

Please take us out of Kabul

so that we may have a chance of survival.

We will not be a burden to you.

We are skilled and strong

and need little by the way of means.

May the blessings of Allah be upon you. Fattema.

Anything written! Anything read!

Anything written! Anything read!

Anything written!

How much for the dress?

Salaam. It's handmade.

- How much? - 3,000.

Don't be stupid. I'll give you 300.

2,000.

Handmade in Mazar-e-Sharif.

Your daughter will be very happy to wear such a beautiful dress.

She is my wife.

1,500.

See how it sparkles?

Here's 1,000.

- How much did you make? - A thousand.

That might be enough for a good bribe.

- Really? - Definitely.

I'm saving up too. Whatever money I can hide from my father, I keep.

And it's mounting up to a nice little sum.

See?

I'm not going to stay here forever, you know.

- Have you ever been to the sea? - No.

Neither have I.

But I've heard that the moon pulls the water onto the shore

and then back out again.

I want to see that.

I want to put my feet on the warm sand and have them cooled by the lapping water.

What about your father? Doesn't he depend on you?

I am a good son.

But he is not a good father.

- What will you do by the sea? - [chuckles]

I'd buy things and sell things, like I do here, but for myself.

There are people who go to the edge of the water to do nothing.

They just sit there and they look at the sea with their sunglasses on

or swim about on floating tubes.

So I could sell them those things.

Hmm. That sounds nice, Deliwar.

And maybe I'll join you.

- Where are you going? - Wish me luck.

- Why are you back so early? - I have brought some bread and raisins for Zaki.

What are you doing, Parvana?

I'm going to find Baba.

- No, you're not. - I'm going.

You won't make it home before curfew.

I'm going. There's nothing you can do to stop me.

Mama-jan has been through enough without you doing something so stupid.

- I have to find him. - Parvana!

Parvana!

Parvana!

[men shouting]

Excuse me.

Salaam. Hello!

- [banging on door] - Excuse me!

- What do you want? - [gasps]

- I said, what do you want? - I want to see my father.

- Who? - My father, Nurullah Alizai.

Brought here two weeks ago without charge.

- Get out of here. - I have money... 1,000 afghani.

- I can give it to you if you promise to help. - Hey, what are you doing?

Nothing. Just getting rid of a kid.

Please! Open up!

I have to see my father! I have to see him!

[screams, groans]

Now get out of here unless you want some more.

[door slams]

[lock sets]

[groaning]

[humming]

They say it doesn't always rain the way it thunders.

Last we heard of him, the boy had fallen down.

He had fallen down the hill and into the deepest of sleeps.

But all was not lost.

He was discovered by an old woman.

She had a drum.

[Fattema] A magic drum that beat so beautifully

that his heart woke up.

[drum beating]

[gasps]

She knew he must be on a quest, and so she asked him...

What is it you seek?

Well, you see, the dreadful Elephant King sent his jaguars to steal the...

[cackling]

No one has ever overcome the Elephant King.

- I know. - Well, what makes you think you can?

I need to.

I just need to, that's all.

That's not a very good answer.

[Fattema] Nevertheless, the woman told him he'd need to find three things...

something that shines,

something that ensnares,

and something that soothes.

Only then would he overcome the Elephant King.

Give them to me, please!

[chuckles] I don't have them,

so you'd better go look for them.

And hurry! If the seeds are not planted soon, there will be no harvest.

Yes, I know.

[Fattema] She told him to head east.

East is the other way.

[Fattema] Still something followed the boy,

and still he could not face it.

- He didn't take the money? - I don't think bribes work on them.

[sighs] No, no. It probably wasn't enough.

It might have insulted him.

You'll just have to save up more and be even smarter next time.

- Aaah! - I have to be smarter?

I've heard there is a guy who pays well for small jobs.

Come on.

[Shauzia] Sir, we have come to work.

- And you are? - I'm Deliwar. And this is Aatish.

We are brothers.

What kind of a name is Aatish?

[Shauzia] I don't know. Ask our father.

- Where is your father? - He was martyred by the Russians.

We can do any job you want.

For the right price.

[grunts]

[exhales] That's the last one, I think.

Where are we anyway?

About time. You boys are not very strong.

It was more work than you said.

Here you are. Now be off.

Hey, we did all that you asked.

Wait! You said you'd drive us back.

I'm not a taxi. Make your own way home.

I'm late already because you took so long to load the truck.

Wait!

I need to rest a moment.

Stay on the path. This place might be mined.

This is not nearly enough. We need better jobs.

- Like what? - I heard brick making pays well.

But it's hard work.

I wish I was stronger.

But you have an older brother, don't you?

He used to bring you to school on his shoulders.

What's his name?

Sulayman.

He died.

How? Was it the sickness?

- I don't know. - But your mother must have told you.

She doesn't speak of it. All right?

All right.

Hey, look what I've got.

I found it in a little box where my father keeps his things.

Can you believe the water is that blue?

It's very nice.

[Parvana] Anything written! Anything read!

Anything written! Anything read!

Anything written! Anything read!

I didn't pay you last time.

- How much do I owe you? - It's okay. I...

What, you don't charge for bad news?

[groans]

Who taught you to read? The crippled teacher?

Yes. My uncle.

Can you write as good as you read?

I can.

Here.

I kept this in case you wanted it.

Show me. Show me where it says her name.

Where it says "Hala."

There. See?

Hala.

Do you know what it means?

No.

Sometimes, on a clear night when you look at the moon,

you can see a bright outline around it.

That outline is called hala.

My wife was named for that light.

- Here. - This is too much.

Don't argue with me.

Thank you.

- [babbling] - [laughing]

Stop it, Zaki. Can I pull yours?

[babbling]

[Soraya] Keep him quiet. I'm trying to sleep.

- What's the matter with you? - Why don't you tell Zaki a story, hmm?

We'd all like that.

Well, Zaki, do you want to know what happened to the boy?

[babbling]

Yes, yes, and the elephant.

[Zaki squeals]

The boy ran and ran, his heart beating fast in fear.

And the thing that chased him never stopped.

[roaring]

So the boy hid behind a tree and he waited for courage.

[grunting]

An ancient woman had been trying to milk a goat,

but her back was very sore.

My back is very sore.

The boy took pity on her and told her to rest under the shade of a tree

and he would do the milking instead.

Please sit under the shade of this tree,

and I will do the milking instead.

When he finished milking the goat,

the old woman shared the lovely, warm milk with him.

- [slurping] - It was the nicest milk he had ever tasted,

and he complimented the woman on her goats.

Your goats are very generous.

In return, the old woman gave him a mirror.

See how it shines!

The boy was delighted with the mirror,

but as he looked into it, he saw the reflection of the thing that followed him!

What are you doing, Mama-jan?

I'm laying out Soraya's good clothes.

Am I to sell them at the market?

Shh, shh, shh, Parvana. It's time to sleep.

[Shauzia] I just need to find a way to get to Peshawar,

and I can figure it out from there.

I think there's a beach in Goa

where the tourists are very rich.

If they're rich, they would buy my blue stones,

and that's where I'd set up my business, and you could join me.

Once I find Baba.

Once you find your Baba.

[aircraft approaching]

100.

I'll give you 85.

- Ninety. - Eighty-two.

Eighty-five, and that's final.

Eighty-five and a bunch of grapes, and that's final.

You're leaning too hard on the pen, but your writing is good.

If you try it more gently, it'll be easier.

[chirping]

[people chattering]

Wait! Wait a moment!

What is it, child?

You asked me before about the man who used to sit there... the teacher.

- Your uncle? - He didn't go to Mazar-e-Sharif.

He was taken to prison. But he did nothing wrong.

- Which one? - What?

- Which prison? - Pul-e-Charkhi.

It's been weeks now, and my family has had no word of him.

Go to the prison on Wednesday.

Ask for Roshan. He's my cousin.

Tell him Razaq sent you and he will help you, if he can.

[sighs]

Deliwar!

With work like this, I'll be an old woman by the time I get to the sea.

Or an old man.

[groans]

You sit and rest, Deliwar, and I'll tell you a story.

- A story? - Yes, a story.

One time in the deep past,

there was a boy who had to return a stolen bag of precious seeds to his village.

Is it a happy story or a sad story?

Just wait and see.

The boy had been told he needed three things

in order to overcome the Elephant King...

something that shines, something that ensnares and something that...

[man] Hey, you two! Come here!

Come on!

I know that boy.

Hurry up. Come here.

Come on.

We'd better do what we're told.

Get a move on, lazy kids.

[laughing]

So these are the new workers?

- [men laughing] - Where are your tongues? Are you stupid?

Idrees suggested we have a little arm-wrestling match.

[laughing continues]

To see if you're strong enough to work for me.

I saw you sitting down over there instead of working.

- [gasps] - Idrees, stop now.

Make me some tea. [laughing]

[grunting, gasps]

Let me see how feeble you are, little one.

[grunting]

He can't even lift his hand.

Get up and make us tea.

Uncle, I think you need new workers.

- These ones are no good. - Enough, Idrees.

Leave the poor kids alone.

They are a little undercooked.

I know you.

- You're the teacher's daugh... - [grunts]

[men laughing]

- [angry shout] - Idrees.

Bring the gun back!

I said bring the gun back!

- [angry shout] - Idrees!

Come out now!

[grunting]

Come out now!

[kiln owner] Idrees, it has begun! We are moving west.

We have been given orders to go immediately!

I know who you are!

Do you hear?

Get up here! Come on!

[gasping, panting]

[kiln owner] Right now! You little coward!

You want to fight? Now is your chance to fight!

You become a man.

[wind whistling]

[Shauzia] He's gone.

[Parvana] What if he comes back?

[Shauzia chuckles] He'd be lucky.

Where are we?

I came here once when I ran away.

I think the way in has gotten smaller or I have gotten bigger.

It looks old.

I lost a shoe.

I lost my cap, although I think it's outside.

Why did you hit him?

When they took my father, he was one of them.

Tell me more about the boy.

What boy?

The story boy.

The boy was cold.

Though the sun burned in the sky, it gave no heat.

[Shauzia] But he had a warm hat and a big coat.

No, he didn't.

He had already found one of the three things...

a mirror that shone.

But when he looked at it, he saw something behind him.

Something scary. Something dreadful!

- A horse! - No, Shauzia, not a horse.

- [chuckling] - Yes, it was.

And it was a very old horse whose bones clattered together when it walked.

- It wasn't scary at all. - [sighs]

Fine. The boy felt sad for the old horse and fed him hay.

And they all lived happily ever after.

It's the middle of the story, not the end!

From a door carved into the stone,

- out came a round man. - [grunts]

You wasted my hay on an old horse that will soon be dead!

The round man threw the boy deep into the belly of an ancient well.

Aaah!

At the bottom of the well there were emeralds,

and the round man wanted them brought up to him as payment for the wasted hay.

You will bring the emeralds to me.

- What's his name? - The round man?

No, the boy.

You can't have a story about a boy and not give him a name.

Give him a name before I do.

Sulayman.

His name is Sulayman.

That's a good name.

Sulayman lay at the bottom of the well.

- Suddenly, he could see skeletons. - [growling]

Three skeletons, each with an emerald clutched in its bony hands.

- He called out for help. - Help!

The poor old horse looked back at him from way above.

But the horse did something extraordinary.

He neighed with the voice of all the world's animals.

[neighing ferociously]

Sulayman climbed up, up, all the way to the top,

and he thanked the horse for saving his life.

- Thank you for saving my life. - [murmuring]

Sulayman had just three emeralds with him...

- [laughing] - And asked the round man for food in return.

He was hungry.

But the round man was wicked and cheap.

He threw a fishing net at Sulayman and he told him to get his own food.

- That was exactly what Sulayman needed. - Ha-ha!

Something that ensnares.

But as Sulayman left,

the ghosts of the three skeletons came out of the three emeralds

and swirled and twirled and scared the round man

in frightful vengeance for having lost them their lives.

[screaming]

Sulayman and the horse continued their journey toward the mountain,

but the horse was getting slower and slower.

He needed to rest, being very, very old,

and so Sulayman made a shelter for the horse

and told him to wait for him.

- The horse protested... - [whinnies]

but Sulayman knew he had to face the Elephant King and the jaguars

all by himself.

I will see you again, old horse.

And so on he went alone.

Tomorrow is Wednesday.

I'm going back there, to the prison.

They'll have to let me see him then.

From now on, you're staying inside.

- It's much too dangerous. - No, Mama-jan.

- We manage all right out there. - "We"?

Me and Deliwar. She's a girl too. We work together.

We've written to my cousin to arrange a marriage for your sister in Mazar.

They wrote back, and it was accepted.

Someone will come for us the day after tomorrow to take us away.

- You don't need to do this anymore. - What?

We can't go on like this.

- We can't depend on you to keep us alive. - Why?

I provide for you just fine.

It's not the job of a child.

How can we leave without Baba?

Every day you come home with cuts and blisters.

Every day you go out there, and I don't know if I'll see you back again.

I can't lose you too.

I'm not going.

Baba could come back, and no one will be here waiting for him.

So how long should we wait?

Until you're found out and taken away from me?

Until I have to send Zaki out to earn our keep?

Let me go see him before we leave.

Let me tell him where we are going.

- Parvana! - Let me bring him his walking stick.

Then I will go with you.

Then I will be a good sister and a good daughter.

I promise.

I promise.

[jets passing overhead]

Please don't go.

Please, it is much too dangerous now.

Mama-jan, I'm going.

I'll be back tonight before curfew.

- No, Sulayman. - Mama-jan.

- You won't come back. - Let her go now.

Let Parvana go.

[babbles]

Oh! [babbles]

Parvana.

[gasps]

Deliwar!

[laughs] You frightened me half to death.

I've been looking for you everywhere.

Why? You want to work at the chai shop with me this morning?

- No, I can't. - Hey, you want some candy for Zaki?

We are leaving Kabul tomorrow.

You are leaving me?

It's been arranged. There's nothing I can do.

My sister is getting married in Mazar-e-Sharif.

I'm going back to the prison.

I found someone who can help me,

and I need to get more money to bribe the guard.

I'll need it today.

You'll just get another punch in the guts. It's a stupid idea.

I won't let that happen this time.

- I said it's a stupid idea. - Please help me.

What do you want me to do?

Magic some money into your hand like in your kids' stories?

It doesn't work like that, Parvana.

I can't help you.

Now run away to Mazar-e-Sharif and have a nice wedding party.

Maybe they'll find a husband for you too and your troubles will be over.

Until after the wedding, at least.

You fool!

Deliwar!

Shauzia.

Shauzia.

Come with us.

I can't.

My father would come all the way to Mazar to kill me.

I can't leave Kabul, Parvana, not like this.

- Here, take this. - I can't take your money.

Please take it.

Go and see your Baba.

Tell him that his daughter is a good daughter.

Tell him that Deliwar said so.

Hey, Deliwar.

What?

I'll meet you at that beach you were talking about,

where the moon pulls the water,

20 years from today.

[chuckles] I don't think I'll recognize you then, Aatish.

Well, you can sell me some pretty blue stones for a great price.

Until next time then.

Until next time.

[jets approaching]

[knocking]

Peace be upon you. Are you Fattema?

Yes, I am Fattema.

I am your second cousin. Mohammed Abdul sent me from Mazar.

Gather your family. We must leave immediately.

No, you see, you weren't supposed to come so soon.

My son is away. We must wait for him to return.

There is a war coming. Have you not heard?

We have to leave now before they block the roads.

We have to wait until she comes home. I have to wait for my daughter.

[angry grunt] Son? Daughter? Which is it?

Gather your things. We are leaving now!

I'm not leaving without Parvana. We have to wait.

Count yourself lucky I'm taking you, old woman.

The girl and the baby are of more worth.

I didn't come all this way for nothing.

If we do not go now, we won't get out of here at all.

- My baby! Give him to me! - Let's go! Argh!

- Zaki! Zaki! - [Zaki screaming]

Give me my baby. Give him to me!

- No! Give him to me! - Let go! Let go!

[engine idling]

- Salaam, little one. - Salaam.

Where are you going to with an old man's stick?

It belongs to my Baba.

I'm taking it to him, to the prison.

I see.

We're going that way.

- [Zaki crying] - Give me my baby!

- Let's go! If you want to keep the baby, come with me! - Zaki!

My daughter is out there.

Then what kind of fool are you to have sent her out alone?

Get in, or she won't be the only child you'll lose today!

Don't... Give me my baby!

Keep him quiet!

I am begging you.

- [engine cranking] - Wait for my daughter!

[shouting in Afghan language]

Come, Soraya. We must start a fire.

- [men shouting] - [knocking]

I am looking for Roshan.

Hey! I am looking for Roshan.

I am looking for Roshan. I am looking for Roshan.

I am looking for Roshan. I am looking for Roshan.

- Open the door! - Get away from the door, you stupid kid!

- I am looking for Roshan! - Get out of here!

- I am looking for Roshan! - Are you stupid?

- I am looking for Roshan. - Shut up!

- What are you doing here? - [gasps]

It's all right. He's my son.

You're wanted inside.

That boy needs some discipline.

That's my business.

What in the name of the merciful are you doing here?

It's Wednesday. I've come to meet your cousin Roshan.

[scoffs] There's a war started.

Roshan has gone to fight.

We've been brought from the city to clear the prison of anyone who won't fight for us.

- The teacher... - Is he alive?

I don't know.

The teacher is my father. I am Parvana, his daughter.

Help him, please.

If I'm not back before the sun has gone down, you run.

Run as far away as you can from here and you keep on running.

You can't stay here after sunset. Do you understand?

- Thank you. - Do you understand?

- Yes. - Hide yourself until then.

[gunfire in distance]

Once there was a young boy called Sulayman.

He knew his heart was fated to serve his people,

and he was running out of time.

[engine revs]

[laughs] Thank you. Thank you so much.

- Come on! Get in the car. - We have to go back for my daughter.

[coughing] I said come here. Now!

We're not going with you.

Mama-jan?

You, come now! Do you hear me?

You come here like I told you to! [coughing]

[coughing continues] You come now!

We will not go with you. Just drive away from us.

Get in the car. Get in the car now!

Mama-jan!

Sulayman! Sulayman!

Be brave, Sulayman.

[thunderclap]

[thunderclaps]

[men shouting]

Run, Soraya.

- Take Zaki and run now! - Mama!

Go! Keep running!

You... let... us... go.

[buzzer sounds]

Open the door.

What are you doing with that?

He's dead. I'm putting him with the others. Open the door. Let me through.

- Move, move, move, move, move! - Stop!

- Line up. All of you, all of you. - Stop!

I said stop!

It will be dark soon.

Razaq?

Razaq? Razaq?

[knocking]

[machine gun fire]

[panting]

Sulayman.

Sulayman.

The mirror shines!

Use it to blind the jaguars!

The net ensnares! Throw it over them!

Hah!

[roaring]

[thunderclap]

[explosions in distance]

[machine gun fire in distance]

Razaq. Razaq!

Razaq! I have come for my father.

I have come for my Baba!

Put him down!

I said put him down.

Do you see what is happening?

Where are you taking him? Who's out there?

Look away, can't you?

It is just one man. What does it matter?

[grunts]

Go. [grunts]

Go!

Go, unless you're going to kill me.

[gasps]

I will scream and curse you

until the last breath leaves my body.

Go.

[breathing shakily]

You're crazy. Crazy.

You can die out here for all I care.

Die.

- [running footsteps] - [car door closes]

[car drives away]

Sulayman.

Sulayman.

Sulayman.

[thunder rumbling]

[roaring]

I have not come to kill you.

[roaring, shrieking]

Sulayman!

Soothe him with your story,

the one that Mama-jan can't speak of.

Tell him.

Sulayman!

My name is Sulayman.

- Tell him what happened. - [roaring]

Tell him your story.

My name is Sulayman.

My mother is a writer.

My father is a teacher.

And my sisters always fight each other.

One day I found a toy on the street.

I picked it up.

It exploded.

[trumpeting]

I don't remember what happened after that

because it was the end.

It's working, Sulayman! Tell him. Tell him!

My name is Sulayman.

My mother is a writer.

My father is a teacher.

And my sisters always fight each other.

One day I found a toy on the street.

I picked it up.

It exploded.

It was the end.

My name is Sulayman.

My mother is a writer.

[Sulayman's voice] One day I found a toy on the street.

My father is a teacher.

- I picked it up. - And my sisters always fight each other.

It exploded.

One day I found a toy on the street.

I don't remember what happened after that.

I picked it up.

Because it was the end.

[Parvana] The Elephant was transformed.

He took the bag of seed from the center of the mountain

and gave it back to Sulayman.

Sulayman returned to his village.

There was much dancing and singing

and laughing and eating.

Razaq?

Baba?

Baba! Is he alive?

It is not his blood. He lives.

[groans]

[grunting]

Get out of here now, child. Go on.

As fast as you can.

[babbles]

It's the moon.

[Zaki babbles]

[whispers] Soraya.

- S... Sora... Soraya! - [squeals]

- Mama? - Soraya!

[laughing] So...

[Zaki laughing]

[Parvana] We are a land whose people are its greatest treasure.

We are at the edges of empires at war with each other.

Par...

Parvana.

We are a fractured land in the claws of the Hindu Kush mountains,

scorched by the fiery eyes of the northern deserts.

Black rubble earth against ice peaks.

We are Ariana,

the land of the noble.

[Parvana] Raise your words, not your voice.

It is rain that makes the flowers grow,

not thunder.

Subtitles by explosiveskull Resync by GoldenBeard

[woman] ♪ Veil of the moon Beneath the clouds ♪

♪ Life pushing forth Through a darkened shroud ♪

♪ Circle of halo forms a crown ♪

♪ To glow without ♪

♪ Colorful moments Wait in the skies ♪

♪ Open the mist As night pours by ♪

♪ Shadow will lift The winds high ♪

♪ And the moon will rise ♪

♪ Now close your eyes ♪

♪ Move with the tides ♪

♪ Dance with delight ♪

♪ To believe ♪

♪ You are all there is to be ♪

♪ Gathered in stillness Gathering round ♪

♪ Fall in the fire Burning crown ♪

♪ Dancing through smoke To wood sound ♪

♪ Flames reach out ♪

♪ Breath of the ocean Breath of ground ♪

♪ Breath of the mountain Our wounds drown ♪

♪ Call of the tide Waking sound ♪

♪ Drives in night sounds ♪

♪ Now close your eyes ♪

♪ Move with the tides ♪

♪ Dance with delight ♪

♪ To believe ♪

♪ You are all there is to be ♪

♪ Swing to the moon ♪

♪ Dream leaving fire ♪

♪ All the time ♪

♪ Sink in the sea ♪

♪ Dance even higher ♪

♪ The crown sleeps ♪

♪ In your heart ♪

♪ Now close your eyes ♪

♪ Move with the tides ♪

♪ Dance with delight ♪

♪ To believe ♪

♪ You are all there is to be ♪

[girls singing in Afghan language]

[girl sings, laughs, chatters]