Why does the man at the orphanage not want to admit he knew Sohrab?

• A. He was involved in selling Sohrab to a Taliban official, and fears consequences.
• B. He did not actually know Sohrab.
• C. He wants to protect Sohrab's identity.
• D. He wants money from Amir.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that guilt and fear drive his silence. The man at the orphanage is not simply avoiding a casual admission; his hesitation signals a hidden truth about his past actions. He likely knows Sohrab and is tied to a trafficking arrangement in which Sohrab ended up with a Taliban official. Admitting he knew Sohrab would expose his role in that deal, inviting serious consequences from dangerous people. So his reluctance is about self-preservation and fear of retribution, not about protecting Sohrab, denying knowledge, or seeking money. The scene uses his evasive reaction to show how dangerous it is to be connected to such illicit dealings in that world.