A young Afghan boy endures unbearable hardship in the absence of his father.

After a decade in exile, Mohammad Hajher's father returns with his young family to his home village in rural Afghanistan. Here, Hajher is unable to go to school, and when his father falls ill, it becomes clear that his options are limited. But before Hajher's father passes, he shares a mantra with his son - one that will sustain and embolden him throughout many years of hardship. And when life under the Pashtoonwali code of honor grows dangerous, Hajher and his mother plot their escape.

While exposing the feudal cultural practices of a remote village in rural Afghanistan, Hajher reflects on the challenges of his life, from the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and becoming a refugee in India to immigrating to the United States with the help of the Peace Corps friends. But what emerges, is a son's unwavering desire to make his father's dream come true.

Hajher's father Mohammad Azam was his mentor and savior, even after death, and his legacy lives on. While profoundly impacted by his father's untimely death, Hajher never felt abandoned and presents a heartfelt tribute to his beloved father in this touching memoir. This book is a remarkable true story of surviving against all odds. Father at Age Nine inspires hope in the face of difficulty while honoring the lasting bond between a father and son.