The Swallows of Kabul

Atiq Shaukat struggles to get through the crowded streets of Kabul, using a whip to lash at those in his way. He notes how people of all ages populate the market, begging for alms or trying to sell rotting wares. Atiq is late; he whips his way to a less crowded side street, where he finds Qassim Abdul Jabbar standing with a gun. Atiq’s excuse is that he needed to take his wife to the hospital, but Qassim is doubtful. Atiq enters the temporary prison set up by the Taliban, signaling to two militiawomen in burqas to prepare the prisoner for execution. The prisoner is a woman in a burqa, accused of sex work and sentenced to be stoned to death.

Mohsen Ramat joins the crowd waiting for the execution, noting how executions used to make him sick. Mohsen reminisces on earlier days, before the Soviet invasion, when people lived with “friendliness and goodwill” (10). Women, specifically, danced in their long veils, spreading perfume. Now, the women wear burqas to protect themselves from men’s violence, and the streets are barren and unpleasant.

Mohsen was 10 when the Soviet invasion occurred. He remarks on how Soviet war machines destroyed the beauty of the Afghan sky, scaring away the swallows. Mohsen watches Atiq Shaukat approach in the armored vehicles bringing the woman to her execution, and the mullah, or Muslim theologian and expert on sacred law, pronounces her judgment. Mohsen joins the crowd in throwing rocks at the woman, and Mohsen is elated to see one of his stones hit her in the head. People continue to throw stones after the woman is dead.

Atiq goes for a walk to take a break from working as a jailer in the empty prison. He knows he cannot return home to face his wife, who is sick with a disease that causes her constant pain. Mirza Shah, Atiq’s childhood friend, invites him to tea. Mirza says Atiq looks sad, and Atiq reflects on growing up in a poor area with Mirza, who joined the military at the age of 18, while Atiq took odd jobs. During the Soviet invasion, Mirza joined the mujahideen, or guerilla fighters, and Atiq served under Mirza until he was injured. Mirza rejected political positions after the Soviets were repelled, choosing a delicate balance between serving the government, then the Taliban, and the black market. Mirza offers Atiq jobs periodically, which Atiq refuses.

Mirza asks Atiq what is wrong and jokes about Atiq’s leading a coup. Atiq notes that they cannot joke in Kabul anymore. Mirza says nothing has changed, as new groups take power and inflict the same abuses on people. Atiq says that his wife has a rare and uncurable blood disease and no family to help her, and Mirza tells Atiq to divorce her, adding that women are useless. Mirza says he has four wives and does not trust any of them; he claims that women are fundamentally impossible to understand. Atiq explains his devotion to his wife, who saved his life, but Mirza says God saved Atiq through his wife. Mirza insists that Atiq divorce his wife and marry a virgin. Mohsen approaches the two men, and Mirza brandishes his whip. Atiq and Mirza are uncomfortable, knowing their conversation was inappropriate.

Mohsen Ramat returns to his home, lamenting the death of his only confidant the previous year. Mohsen feels that everyone keeps their troubles to themselves to avoid taking on the troubles of others. His house is almost empty, as he sold his belongings to survive shortages, and his windows are boarded shut on orders from the Taliban. Mohsen’s wife, Zunaira, brings him water, and he thinks about how beautiful she is. Zunaira massages Mohsen’s feet, and he asks her if he has changed. Zunaira says everything around them has changed, and Mohsen tells her to tell him if he becomes unkind. In a panic, Mohsen tells Zunaira about stoning the woman to death. Zunaira does not believe him, saying Mohsen is educated. Mohsen confirms his actions and feels ashamed. Zunaira is shocked, retreating from Mohsen, who regrets telling her.

Atiq stops at a mosque, thinking about how he hates the elderly. A small man approaches Atiq, and Atiq twists his arm. Atiq regrets his irritation in the mosque. Atiq stands outside the mosque listening to the former soldiers sharing war stories. One man, Goliath, talks about how the dead bodies stank. Another man, Tamreez, interrupts, insisting that the dead bodies of the mujahideen did not stink, because they were sacred. The crowd sides with Tamreez, so Goliath leaves. Tamreez describes how he met the angel of death on the battlefield. Atiq leaves, nervous to return home, and recalls how his wife saved him after he was injured in battle, nursing him back to health and bringing him out of the war zone.

Atiq finds his home clean and suspects his sister may have returned from Baluchistan. Musarrat, Atiq’s wife, comes out from behind a curtain and offers Atiq some food. Atiq is surprised to see Musarrat walking and talking like she is not ill. Musarrat insists she is not giving up on life. Atiq and Musarrat argue about their relationship, which is struggling under the war and Musarrat’s illness. Musarrat asks Atiq to repeat what the doctor said about her disease. Atiq leaves the house, and Musarrat cries.

Mohsen lies in bed waiting for Zunaira. Their dinner was awkward and silent, and Mohsen regrets telling Zunaira about the stoning. Mohsen finds Zunaira lying on a pallet in another room, and he goes to sit outside their house. Mohsen recognizes Atiq storming down the street.