When a kite is killed and begins to flutter to earth, gangs of children — the kite runners — estimate, race and fight to acquire the defeated kites. (Read a story about the kite-maker of Kabul.) ...

"This is my homeland." Down in the Shoar Bazaar, the premier kite market in Kabul, Agha's kites are much in demand. They sell with at least a 60 percent mark up, and many customers will buy no others.

He proudly calls one of them “the second best kite maker in Kabul,” although he insists that she will never be as good as he is. “I have 45 years’ experience.

Hours after the Taliban abandoned the capital on Nov. 13, Aga and his buddies were back again -- dueling their colorful fighter kites in the air above Babrak's Desert Field in northwest Kabul.

Originally published in 2003, The Kite Runner became a bestseller across the globe and has since been published in 70 countries, selling 31.5 million copies in 60 languages.

"The Kite Runner" stars Zekiria Ebrahimi as 12-year-old Amir, the top kiteflyer in 1978 Kabul, whose best friend (and servant) Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada) has an impressive ability to run ...

To celebrate the victory, of sorts, in Afghanistan, I plan to go out this afternoon to an open field, probably at Willett School in Attleboro, and fly a kite.

Kabul kite-maker stars behind scenes in Hollywood movie By Reuters August 9, 20072:10 PM PDTUpdated April 12, 2007 ...