In this timeless novella, John Steinbeck tells the story of Kino, a poor pearl diver in a Mexican fishing village, who finds an enormous, valuable pearl. The discovery initially brings hope for a better life for Kino, his wife Juana, and their infant son. However, as Kino's dreams grow, the pearl begins to bring tragedy, greed, and destruction to their lives. Steinbeck explores themes of wealth, class, and human nature, illustrating the dangers of materialism and the corrosive effect of desire. ""The Pearl"" serves as a powerful moral allegory about the perils of greed, the fragility of happiness, and the inevitability of fate.