Kino, Juana, and Coyotito wake up to a very average morning in their brush house. Everything is going fine until a scorpion quietly climbs onto Coyotito's shoulder and stings him. Kino crushes the scorpion, but the baby's shoulder begins to swell as he cries. Juana decides that they will take him to the doctor, who doesn't work for poor people. He refuses to work for them, and the frustrated family goes straight to the family's canoe, which has sentimental value because it was passed down for many generations, and pushes out into the water.
As they reach the oyster bed, Kino gets out and begins to gather oysters in his basket. Once he returns to the boat, he begins to open the oysters. As he comes to the last one, he is hesitant to look inside, but as he does, a huge pearl is revealed. The pearl is referred to as "the pearl of the world." Kino and Juana are ecstatic at the find and rush back to shore. They also realize that the swelling has gone down on Coyotito's shoulder. .
The next day, Kino goes to town to try to sell the pearl. Each pearl buyer tells him that the pearl is too big and chalky, and offer him very low prices. He does not accept any of their offers and decides to go to the capital, where he thinks he can find a better deal. That night, he is attacked in his hut by someone who is trying to steal the pearl. Juana takes the pearl to the beach to throw it back. Kino found her before she throws it saves the pearl, and kicks Juana because he is so mad at her. .
On their way back to the hut, Kino is again attacked. This time, he stabs the attacker, killing him. Knowing that this is a major offense, Kino, Juana, and Coyotito are forced to flee from the town of La Paz. The hut they lived in is set on fire, and his valued canoe is destroyed. Kino and his family are now refugees, with nowhere to go. .
They make their way through the hot deserts, trying hard to keep quiet and hidden from anyone who might see them.
