The chapter titled, The Call from Ali, gives a detailed account of Sultan's son Mansur's experience when he traveled on a pilgrimage to Ali's tomb in Mazar-iSharif. The chapter first describes how badly Mansur wants to go, since he feels he needs to be cleansed of his sins. Mansur's eagerness cannot only be seen in his actions described, but also in how Seierstad uses Mansur's thoughts to emphasize the importance of the pilgrimage. When Mansur is told that he is allowed to attend, he has to undergo a long and dangerous journey to get to Mazar-i-Sharif. At the tomb he finds himself to be redeemed and decides to dedicate his life to being a pious Muslim.
In the chapter, The Smell of Dust, Seierstad dedicates the chapter to Sultan's younger sister Lelia. Leila's way of life is described as being a dedicated servant to everyone in the family. The words along with the stories Seierstad chooses to include creates a feeling of sympathy within the reader. By giving only examples of Leila's obedience and only mistreatment by her family members it is obvious that Seierstad chose to do this purposelessly to encourage her readers to like Leila. And, for her readers to view Leila as a modern day Afghan Cinderella, just without the happy ending.
Leila's story continues in the next chapter, An Attempt. In this chapter, the reader learns of Leila's plan to become a teacher and how difficult it is for her due to the strict traditions that tie her down. Traditions such as her as a woman being unable to walk alone in public, and most of all her needing Sultan's permission as head of the household to teach in the first place. In this chapter Leila's craving for a little Independence is easily felt due to how Seierstad conveys the story.
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