"One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls." Behind the walls of Herat and Kabul in Afghanistan, readers follow Mariam and Laila. According to .
b-inspiredmama.com, motherhood is "the greatest act of love and selflessness." This essay will elaborate how in the women's lives; themes love, legitimacy and motherhood defined them. Nana loved Mariam. She repeatedly said it to her on many occasions. Her bitter nature veiled her affection and concern for the naive, hopeful child. It was Nana's words which haunted Mariam years after Nana's death. Her words provided sight, and at times comfort (snow fell silently on people: symbolised the sighs of many woman who suffered) to Mariam. Nana's intended to protect Mariam, toughen her and teach her the only useful tool for an Afghanistan woman living at the time: endurance. Nana exposed Mariam to face reality, that "nothing but rejection and heartache" awaited a woman. "Like a compass needle points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman," that men: unlike a womb; don't stretch nor bleed to make room. Miriam's death, unlike Nana's, was a selfless act of love in pursuit of freedom for Laila, her children and Tariq. Laila and Tariq started as childhood friends, whose connection outlasted malicious and ruthless wars. Her "true brother" was actually the man her heart always leaped for. Aziza was produce of their innocent love making.
Aziza, born illegitimate, was protected by Laila when she agreed to marry Rasheed. Mariam, too, had "illegitimate beginnings." She carried the burden and shame of being a "harami," abandoned by her father Jalil. Nana was burdened and blessed with Mariam, although knew that it would have spared Mariam the grief of knowing what she was if her father had aborted her. Mariam lived isolated with Nana in a kolba since Mariam's birth was proof of the dishonourable sin of Jalil and Nana, not the harami – Mariam, a gift.