The 25 chapter story is narrated by Amir, addressed to the reader, except that chapter 16 is narrated by Rahim Khan, addressed to Amir. The two main characters of the story are Amir, a well-off Afghan boy, and Hassan, a Hazara and son of Amir's father's servant, Ali. The boys spend their days in peaceful Kabul, fighting kites, roaming the streets, and being boys. Amir's father, Baba, likes both boys, but seems to criticize Amir for not being manly enough. Amir also fears that his father will blame him for his mother's death during childbirth. However, he has a kind father figure in the form of Rahim Khan, Baba's friend, who understands Amir better and supports his interest in writing stories. Assef, a notoriously mean and violent older boy with sadistic tendencies, criticizes Amir for socializing. with a Hazara, according to Assef an inferior race who should only live in Hazarajat. He prepares to attack Amir with his brass knuckles, but Hassan bravely stands up to him, threatening to shoot Assef in the eye with his slingshot. Assef and his cohorts back off, but Assef says he will get revenge. Hassan is a successful "kite runner" for Amir, knowing where the kite will land without even looking at it. One day of triumph, Amir wins the local tournament, and finally the praise of Baba. Hassan goes to race the last cut kite, a large trophy, for Amir saying "For you, a thousand times". Unfortunately, Hassan comes across Assef and his two henchmen. Hassan refuses to give up Amir's kite, so Assef takes revenge, assaulting and anally raping him. Wondering why Hassan is taking so long, Amir searches for Hassan and hides when he hears Assef's voice. He witnesses the rape but is too afraid to help her. Afterwards, Hassan and Amir keep their distance for a while. Amir reacts with indifference because he is ashamed and frustrated by Hassan's saintly behavior. Already jealous of Baba's love for Hassan, he fears that if Baba knew how courageously Hassan defended Amir's kite and how cowardly Amir behaved, Baba's love for Hassan would only grow even more more. To force Hassan to leave, Amir presents him as a thief, and Hassan falsely confesses. Baba forgives him, even though, as he explained earlier, he believes that "there is no act more miserable than stealing." Hassan and his father Ali, to Baba's great regret, leave anyway..