What’s Up With the Ending?

It's Pakistan or bust for pretty much everyone as our story ends. Shauzia is traveling there with some nomads and Mrs. Weera is finding her own ride, while Father and Parvana have hitched themselves a ride in the back of a truck to go search of Mother, Nooria, and the little kids.

But even though they all say their good-byes, the ending doesn't seem all that sad. Our story ends just as it begins—with Parvana—and as it winds to a close, she looks ahead to the future, which "stretched unknown down the road in front of her" (15.79). But while the future brings a lot of uncertainty, Parvana doesn't seem worried—whatever it holds, "she felt ready for it," and even finds herself "looking forward to it" (15.79). This positive attitude, coupled with a final look at Mount Parvana with sunlight shining on its peak, gives Parvana—and readers—a sense of hope.