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Overall Summary

Three Cups of Tea is a book written by Greg Mortenson and David Relin that tells the story of how one man’s life was changed when he went on a mountaineering trip in Pakistan. He then decided to build schools for Pakistani children, especially girls, who were not getting an education. The title comes from a Balti saying: “The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are just strangers. The second time you take tea together, you become honored guests. The third time you share tea together, you become family.”

Three Cups of Tea begins with Mortenson’s attempt to climb K2, the second tallest mountain on earth. His goal was to honor his deceased sister by leaving a piece of her jewelry at its summit. However, during the descent he became lost and stumbled upon Korphe village where he was cared for by Haji Aji (who gave Mortenson the saying that inspired the title of this book).

Upon returning to the village, Mortenson sees that the children are drawing in mud with sticks. He thinks they must be trying to study, even without teachers. Mortenson promises he will return and build them a proper school. Upon his return to America, he works as a nurse but feels bad that he was unable to leave anything on K2 for his sister’s memory. Therefore, building a school is a better way of honoring her memory than climbing mountains.

The author of Three Cups of Tea had trouble raising funds for his humanitarian effort at first. However, he eventually gained the attention of Jean Hoerni who donated $12,000 to help him build a school in Pakistan. Mortenson sold all his belongings and returned to Pakistan with the hope that he could build a bridge over the gorge dividing Korphe from neighboring villages. He was unsuccessful in building a school and was forced to return back home where he learned that not only did he lose both his job and girlfriend but also became homeless.

Mortenson secures more funds, and he returns to Pakistan. He spends time with the people of Korphe, bonding with them on a hunting expedition. He builds the bridge at last. When Mortenson gets back to California, he feels that he has done some good for those in need. At an event honoring Sir Edmund Hillary (the first man to climb Mount Everest), Mortenson learns from Hoerni and his friend George McCown that they will pay him to return to Korphe and finish building the school; also, Tara Bishop meets Mortenson there, and they get married a few days later.

In the end, Mortenson is able to finish building Korphe school. He becomes closer with Haji and the Balti people in the process. After traveling to Waziristan, he was kidnapped but released without any details being given about why he was captured. However, Jean Hoerni dies and leaves a million dollars to CAI (Central Asian Institute) as well as naming Mortenson its new director of operations. Under his leadership, CAI continues building schools throughout Pakistan despite facing fatwas from powerful religious figures who don’t appreciate his meddling in their country’s affairs.

Mortenson tries to raise awareness of refugee issues in America and fails. He is having trouble with the board members, who think that he’s not doing enough. His mood brightens when his son is born. Mortenson continues working in Pakistan, where he becomes aware of political tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. On September 11, 2001, he is opening a school as the attacks occur. The media ignores his explanation about poverty being at the root of terrorism; it’s easier to simply demonize Muslims.

Mortenson’s life gets more difficult. He is threatened by another fatwa and also receives threats at home in the U.S., where people think he’s aiding terrorists. The CIA even interrogates him, but he continues his work and gains support from important political figures. His message spreads to a national audience, which inspires many donations to CAI (Central Asia Institute).