Kino quickly pushed his knife into the shell. The shell tried to close, but Kino pushed hard and the shell fell open. The flesh of the oyster moved, then was still. Kino lifted the flesh and there lay a great pearl. The sunlight fell on the pearl and made it shine like silver. It was the largest pearl in the world. Kino and Juana are poor, and their difficulties are made worse when their baby son is bitten by a scorpion. When Kino finds a large pearl, they believe their prayers have been answered and that they will be able to buy medical help. But the pearl brings only greed and violence.

The People in This Story
Introductory Note

1. Kino, Juana and Coyotito
2. The Doctcr
3. Kino Finds a Pearl
4. Kino's Dream
5. The Doctor Comes
6. Kino tries to Sell the Pearl
7. The Trouble begins
8. Fire and Death
9. Kino and Juana Run Away
10. The Trackers
11. The Cry of Death
12. Kino and Juana Return Home

Poinst for Undertanding
Glossary
Exercises