Eleven-year-old Parvana lives with her family in a one-room apartment in Kabul, Afghanistan, under Taliban rule. When her father is abruptly arrested for being an intellectual, Parvana's mother is left alone to care for their three children. Forbidden from appearing in public without a male escort, Parvana's mother risks arrest by traveling to the local prison to demand her husband's release, only to be beaten and turned away. As the family grows desperate for food, Parvana cuts off her hair and disguises herself as a boy so she can venture outside and become the family's breadwinner. She meets a girl named Shauzia, who is also disguised as a boy for the same reason. Shauzia teaches Parvana how to earn money on the streets of Kabul, and Parvana proves to be a quick learner. With her newfound friend and freedom, Parvana gains confidence and shoulders the responsibility of feeding her family. To keep their spirits up while awaiting their father's return, she weaves a fantastical tale about a young boy named Sulayman, who must journey far and complete three trials to defeat a giant elephant terrorizing his land. After Parvana narrowly avoids being exposed as a girl, her mother reveals she has arranged a marriage for Parvana's sister, Soraya, and that the family is moving to Mazar. Parvana begs her mother to delay their departure for one more day so she can try to reach her father. As war closes in on Kabul, Parvana musters all her remaining resolve and treks to the prison. With the help of a sympathetic Talib guard, she works to free her father once and for all.