This week The Pearl by John Steinbeck
This is a beautiful story about a family in a South American village. It is written in simple language and has a straightforward plot. We might be tempted to think that this is nothing more than a children's story.
In fact, this is a powerful tale about strong human emotions involving love and greed. It is a kind of folk story that is told repeatedly to pass on wisdom from one generation to another.
The pearl fisher
The central character is Kino, who makes his living diving deep into the ocean for fish and pearls. He searches for oysters which produce pearls inside their shells.
He leads a simple lifestyle with his wife Juana and their baby boy Coyotito. They live in a thatched hut, surrounded by their friends and family. They are devoted to one another and live according to the customs and traditions of their people.