Adapted fromhttp://infoden.edublogs.org/2012/03/09/the-rugmaker-of-marz-e-sharif-chapter-summaries/

...a ruthlessly brief summary by chapter, with pictures.

Chapter 1 –Singing in the Wilderness

Najaf in Woomera The guards love his singing, but he doesn’t

sing because he’s happy nor to enjoy the sound.

Chapter 2 – Fire in the Night

Brief explanation of the Afghan civil war (Communist government vs. mujahedin)

The Mazari home is bombed; Rosal Ali killed

Chapter 3 – Shoes

Life in Woomera serving in the kitchen learning English arguments between ethnic groups

Chapter 4 – Lambs and Wolves

Outlines history of conflict in Afghanistan Gorg Ali: A kind, gentle man Remembering school and work as a shepherd

Chapter 5 – The Room of Questions

Interview with Mr. Johnson from Immigration Feelings of fear about interview Worried that someone back in Mazar-e-Sharif

might give false info about him to authorities Interview is pleasant

Chapter 6 - Kisses

Najaf’s family move to Mazar-e-Sharif after his father’s death; Gorg Ali becomes the patriarch

Taliban introduced Big wedding and kissing the sleeping belly

dancer, Kandhi Hazara

Chapter 7 – School

Imagined “tests” at Woomera and “graduating” through the camps

Najaf is made leader of the Afghani group. Najaf alleviates conflict during meal times by

making sure that everyone gets a fair share.

Chapter 8 – The King’s Son and the Canary

Birds Gorg Ali gets Najaf a welder’s apprenticeship. Najaf is unhappy and begins his rugmaker

apprenticeship without approval (12 yrs old)

Chapter 9 – Main Camp

Despair of man who sews lips together

Chapter 10 – Gorg Ali and the Watermelons

Gorg Ali killed near his bee hives in Shar Shar – futility of war

Abdul Ali becomes head of the family

Chapter 11 – Love and Music

Abbas asks Najaf for help (love affair) – proposal refused

Chapter 12 – Two Red Pills

Psychological injury to leg Inability to work Selling home made socks and shame Placebo effect of the two red pills

Chapter 13 – Apple

Driving “the mule” Unrequited love within Woomera (Leila)

Chapter 14 – Land of Armies

Returns to work in the rug “factory” Men from both sides of the civil war trying to

recruit Najaf and other young men Pacifism

Chapter 15 – The Other Side of the Fence

Najaf and Nemair mistakenly told they have visas.

Receives actual visa, but can’t believe it

Chapter 16 – Strawberries

Taliban rise to power Najaf marries Hakima Life goes on in Afghanistan

Chapter 17 – The Miracle of the Wire Brush

Najaf begins to build life in Melbourne Meeting helpful lady on the bus First jobs Working for

himself (purchases 2 wire brushes; a miracle to find them)

Chapter 18 – Massacre

Taliban invade Mazar-e-Sharif Hazara men (like Najaf) tortured, killed

Chapter 19 – Shop

Najaf opens rug shop Hakima bewildered by answering machine EFTPOS machine problem More helpful Australians

Chapter 20 – Exile

Hiding from Taliban in countryside until family arrange escape

Chapter 21 – Home

Receives permanent residency Afghani friend Ali’s family not allowed to join

him in Australia; he dies in an accident in New Zealand

Chapter 22 – Journey

Travels to Australia Entrusts life to Qadem and boards boat Comes to Australia via Jakarta

Chapter 23 – Impossible Things

Najaf reunited with Hakima and Maria

Postscript

Reflects upon the anomalies of his life Seems to feel guilt for his good fortune