Dear Hassan:
In the eyes of many people, I am a very capable person, and I am not lacking in money or status. But my dear child, you know, except Rahim Khan, probably no one knows that I have been living in anxiety and pain for a long time.
I am sorry for the servant Ali who grew up with me day and night, the father in your life. Poor him, maybe he doesn't even know that he can't have children. I hope that ignorance can make him live a happier life and make him love and cherish you twice as much. Although this love is a bit thin, a boy is happy to have his father's love by his side as he grows up.
Hassan, in my eyes you have always been a very brave child. Every time a neighbor's kids bully Amir, you always stand up and push them back. Even if you get a lot of scars, you are willing to bear them without any complaints.
Your brother Amir has always been a timid and weak child, and you have always protected him with your own blood. Perhaps, Dad’s blood will flow more in you than in Amir.
Let you live in that dark and simple hut all day long; let you be Amir’s servant and take care of Amir every day; I can’t love you openly, protect you, and be a father to you. Responsibility is the biggest disability in my life.
Your birthday every year has become the only day when I can give you gifts in exchange for a few days of peace of mind. I used to often ask you what gifts you wanted, but your requests were always so humble. Simply, choose a gift for you on your own initiative. I know that my blood is flowing in you. If I like it, you will also like it.
You have a brave heart. How I hope God can give you a handsome face, so on your tenth birthday, I invited a plastic surgeon to perform surgery on you and cure your... Harelip, I hope this gift can accompany you throughout your life.
Dr. Kumar, with his superb medical skills, allows you to say goodbye to the ugly hare lip. How I wish I could see you laughing from now on. Who would have thought that in the days to come, you would no longer have a smile on your face.
I don’t know what happened between you and Amir, and why he wanted to slander you and force you to leave. My child, my foolish Hassan, how could you admit it so willingly and leave? I know that you actually don't want to let go of this family, just like I don't want to let you leave, but why can't my attempts to stay have any effect? Men don't shed tears easily, but my cries and my pleas have no effect at all. Why are you so decisive?
I can’t keep you, I can only give you away properly. The rain in the sky is also the tears that burst the dam in my heart. Over the years, I have tried hard to atone for my mistakes. Distributing money to the poor in need and establishing orphanages are just to reduce the guilt and uneasiness in the heart. Even though I can’t love you openly, being able to see you every day is also a comfort. Unexpectedly, even this comfort turned into nothing.
When Amir graduated from high school and I went to attend his graduation ceremony, do you know how much I missed you in my heart? Amir likes literature and you are good at physical fitness. You two brothers are both civilized and martial, what a perfect combination! If I can love you openly and admit that you are my son, and you two brothers can learn from each other's strengths and learn from each other, that should be the greatest happiness in my life!
Dear Hassan, if one day you learn about your life experience and know that the "master" in your eyes is your biological father, will you be happy or resentful? I guess, as a kind-hearted person, you should be more pleased than resentful!
No matter what, I hope that one day you can come back to the place where you were born and grew up. I will let Rahim Khan wait for you here, and I hope you can take good care of our former home with him. Please forgive my selfishness and helplessness. I hope that one day you and Amir can meet again and live a life that truly belongs to you as brothers.
Love your father
In the United States in 1985