Chapter 23

After the fight with his old foe, Amir awakens at the hospital in very bad shape. Among the injuries listed he has a ruptured spleen, several broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken teeth, and a cut on the middle of his lip- which happens to remind him of Hassan's hare lip and the scar that surgery left. Farid informs Amir that Rahim Khan, the old family friend has disappeared and left a note and key to Amir. Rahim Khan informs Amir that he knows about the actions he committed against Hassan and his father to have left his household when they were still children. “What you did was wrong, Amir jan, but do not forget that you were a boy when it happened. A troubled little boy. You were too hard on yourself then, and you still are- I saw it in your eyes in Peshawar. But I hope you will heed this: A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer. I hope your suffering comes to an end with this journey to Afghanistan.” (The Kite Runner, 203). This is the recognition of sin and the possibility of redemption in Amir's life.