American Taliban (Ibrahim's Song)

Last night I got into a public taxi and the driver asked where I was from. "I'm American," I said.

"No you're not," he said. He looked to be 60 or 70 years old. He had a tiny head and chewed on his gums.

"No, but I am," I said. (We were talking in Dari.)

"No," he said. "Because all Americans are supporting Taliban and I can tell you're a good boy."

I laughed but he wasn't kidding.

"Maybe you're French," he said. "Or German."

I said, "I thought everybody says Pakistan supports Taliban."

"But who supports Pakistan?" he said. "American money! Money!"

He was quiet a moment. Then he started singing. I had him sing the song again for my tape recorder. (Click here to hear). His name was Ibrahim.