The story takes place in a small village on the outskirts of La Paz, California.News of Kino's pearl spreads rapidly through the town, inspiring desire and envy in everyone who hears of it. When Juan Tomas asks Kino what he will do as a rich man, he responds that he and Juana will be married in a church, that they will have new clothes, that he will have a rifle, and that his son will receive an education.That evening, as Kino and Juana prepare to leave, Juan Tomas cautions Kino against being overly proud, and Juana repeats her wish to be rid of the pearl.When it's completely dark, Kino prepares to attack them but, as he is about to, Coyotito lets out a cry, provoking one of the trackers to shoot at what he assumes to be a coyote.In the midst of Kino and Juana's morning routine, Coyotito is stung by a scorpion that has fallen into his hanging box.Juan Tomas, Kino's brother, advises Kino to be wary of cheats.Kino indignantly refuses to accept their offers, resolving instead to take his pearl to the capital.Then, upon seeing that their house is engulfed in flames, the family seeks refuge in Juan Tomas's house.It begins in the brush house of Kino, Juana, and their baby, Coyotito, a family of Mexican Native Americans.Later that same morning, Kino and Juana take their family canoe to go diving for pearls.Juana's prayers for a large pearl are answered when Kino surfaces with the largest pearl either of them has ever seen.Juana tries to throw the pearl into the ocean, but Kino follows her, rips the pearl away from her, and beats her to the ground.Juana and Kino, united and beleaguered, walk back to the village side-by-side with Coyotito's dead body in Juana's shawl.Before going to bed, Kino buries the pearl under his sleeping mat.Juana begs, to no avail, that they get rid of the pearl.