Chapter 3The Community Reacts To The Pearl

The news that Kino had found the pearl of the world spread to the entire town.All of them were thinking how they could benefit from the money Kino would get when he sold the pearl.

Kino had his own dreams as well.

The priest heard about the pearl.He thought about certain repairs that the church required.The priest

The shopkeepersThe shopkeepers heard about the pearl.They wanted Kino to buy the clothes in the shop that had not been sold.

The greedy doctor heard about Kinos large pearl.He told his client that Kino and his family were his clients too.He thought of his life in Paris after he had charged Kino for treating Coyotito. The doctor

The beggars in front of the church heard about the pearl.They were excited.They knew a poor man who had suddenly become rich would be generous.The beggars

The pearl buyers were very excited.They were hoping to get very rich quickly.Each one of them ( about 5 ) dreamt of owning the largest pearl in the world.The pearl buyers

The pearl had become a part of everymans dreams, hopes, plans for the future.Kino became every mans enemy because only he had the pearl.

The news of the pearl stirred up something black and evil in the town.It was like the poison of the deadly scorpion.

Kino and Juana were not aware of these things.They were too happy and excited.His brush hut was crowded with neighbours in the afternoon.

The neighbours looked at Kinos pearl and wished they would have such luck too.Juan Tomas asked Kino what he would do now he was rich.

Kino said:I will wear new white clothes and a new hat.Coyotito will wear a blue sailor suit from the United States and a little cap.I will get a new harpoon of iron.I will get a new rifle a Winchester carbine.

Kino dreamt of Coyotito sitting at a little desk in school.Kino saw a vision of himself and Juana squatting by a fire in the brush hut.Coyotito was reading a book.

Coyotito would learn to read, write and do maths.With education, Coyotito would set them free.

It was getting dark, but the neighbours were reluctant to leave.The priest had arrived.Suddenly, the neighbours started whispering among themselves.The women covered their faces with their shawls and looked down.

The priest was an old man. He had grey hair and sharp eyes.He told Kino that he wanted to see the pearl.The priest was surprised at the size and beauty of the pearl.

The priest told Kino that he must thank God for his luck.Kino nodded.Juana told the priest that they would get married in church soon.The priest gave his blessings and left.

The neighbours left.Juana prepared some food for dinner.Kino walked to the door and looked around.His dog came to him.He suddenly felt afraid and alone. He held the pearl tightly in his hand.

As Kino was standing at the door two men approached him.It was the doctor and his servant.Kino hated the doctor because he humiliated him that morning.The doctor said he had come to treat the baby.Kino felt more afraid. He did not know about scorpion stings.

Kino did not know what to do. He felt helpless.The doctor entered the house and examined Coyotito.He said that Coyotito was getting worse. He gave some pills.He said he would be back an hour later.

Juana was afraid and worried.Kino made a hole in the floor and buried the pearl.Then he and Juana sat by the fire and had dinner.Suddenly, Coyotito became sick.

His face was red and saliva drooled from his lips.Kino and Juana were afraid.Kino became suspicious that the medicine given by the doctor had made Coyotito sick.

The news about Coyotitos illness spread very fast.The doctor returned. He said that he knew about scorpion stings.The doctor gave Coyotito some more medicine (antidote).Coyotito vomited. Slowly he became better.

The doctor asked for payment.Kino said he would pay after selling the pearl.The doctor said that he would help Kino look after the pearl.Kino refused. The doctor looked at the place where the pearl was buried. Then he left.

After the neighbours and the doctor had gone, Kino sat by the fire.He sensed evil around him.He was afraid someone might come and steal the pearl.

He dug up the pearl.He buried it in a hole underneath his sleeping mat.After a while Kino went to sleep.

As he slept, Kino dreamt of Coyotito reading a book.The book was as big as a house.Suddenly darkness covered the book.Kino could hear the song of evil again.

Kino woke up. He heard a soft noise.Someone was walking very lightly and slowly. He knew there was someone in his house.He stopped breathing and listened carefully..He heard someone scratching the soil.

Kino knew that this person wanted to steal his pearl.Kino was furious. There was a struggle.He struck the intruders clothes with his knife but hit nothing.Then, he was hit on the head. He heard someone running away.Then.silence

Juana awoke and was frightened.Kino was hurt on his head. Blood was running down to his feet.She washed the blood from his head.Juana was convinced that the pearl was evil.She wanted Kino to destroy it.Kino told her that the pearl was their only chance to allow Coyotito to go to school.

Kino lifted his sleeping mat to see if the pearl was still there,Yes, it was still therethank godThen, Kino noticed a red stain on his knife. It was blood.He cleaned the knife by plunging it into the soil.

The pearl glittered in the light of the candle.It was very beautiful.The pearl represented Hope and a new life.Dawn was coming.

Kino looked at Juana.He smiled at her and she smiled back at him.The new dawn had begun with hope.