Mariam

Mariam is born outside Herat, Afghanistan, to an unmarried mother, Nana, and a wealthy businessman, Jalil, who visits only once a week. Mariam adores him and dreams of being part of his family.

At fifteen she walks to Jalil’s grand house in the city, but he will not let her in, and she sleeps outside. Returning home, she finds her mother has taken her own life. Jalil’s family quickly marries Mariam to Rasheed, a much older shoemaker in Kabul.