THE PEARL GUIDE

The Pearl is a novella by American author John Steinbeck

The Pearl, which takes place in La Paz, Mexico, begins with a description of the

seemingly idyllic family life of Kino, his wife Juana and their infant son,

Coyotito. Kino watches as Coyotito sleeps, but sees a scorpion crawl down the

rope that holds the hanging box where Coyotito lies. Kino attempts to catch the

scorpion, but Coyotito bumps the rope and the scorpion falls on him. Although

Kino kills the scorpion, it still stings Coyotito. Juana and Kino, accompanied by

their neighbors, go to see the local doctor, who refuses to treat Coyotito because

Kino cannot pay.

Kino and Juana leave the doctors and take Coyotito down near the sea, where

Juana uses a seaweed poultice on Coyotito's shoulder, which is now swollen.

Kino dives for oysters from his canoe, attempting to find pearls. He finds a very

large oyster which, when Kino opens it, yields an immense pearl, which Kino

therefore dubs "The Pearl of the World". Kino puts back his head and howls,

causing the other pearl divers to look up and race toward Kino's canoe.