21st Century (2001). Black Pearls presents the feelings of anxiety and sorrow that I had after reading The Pearl by American author, John Steinbeck. The story features a poor Mexican pearl diver, Kino, and his wife and son. One day Kino’s son, Coyotito,became very ill from a scorpion sting. Kino rushed his son to the doctor, however, the doctor would not treat Coyotito because the family had no money. Kino had discovered a very large black pearl, and had hoped to sell it for money to pay the doctor. Little did he know that possessing the enormous black pearl would cause him so much trouble. Steinbeck’s story explores man’s nature, as well as greed and evil. -the publisher