“The Pearl” is a straightforward fable concerning the evils visited upon a Mexican fisherman, Kino, and his family upon finding The Pearl of the World, which he believes will make him rich and provide them with future opportunities to rise above their station. The theme of the story is rather simplistic and mildly sententious; Steinbeck obviously esteems what he portrays as the interconnectedness of the indigent fishing community and their close relationship to the natural world. But what the tale lacks in complexity is made up for by Steinbeck’s extraordinary prose, particularly his evocations of the natural world and the suspenseful finale. A short but rich read.