CHAPTER 4KINOS ENCOUNTER WITH THE PEARL BUYERS

Early in the morning, the whole town knew that Kino was going to sell his pearl that day.

The people talked about it in church.The beggars were excited.The shopkeeper knew about the pearl.

The most excited were the pearl buyers.They wanted the great pearl for themselves.The pearl buyers had their own office.Each of them was thinking of the price to offer to Kino for the pearl.

This was a special day for Kino and Juana.They dressed in their best old clothes which were clean.Tomorrow they would have new clothes when they sold the pearl.

Many people followed Kino and Juana.It was an important occasion.Only Juan Tomas walked with Kino.He told Kino to be careful and not be cheated by the pearl buyers.

The pearl buyers were waiting in their offices.They kept all their pearls away.A big pearl would look more valuable compared to smaller ones.

Kino went to see a fat man.The fat man seemed kind and friendly.Kino showed him the pearl.

The pearl buyer said that Kinos pearl was not valuable.He offered 1000 pesos for it.Kino felt cheated.

It is worth at least fifty thousand pesos!Ill get a second opinion.The fat man heard the people talking about the price. He began to feel afraid.

Three other pearl buyers came to the fat mans office.The first buyer was a thin man. He looked at the pearl and said . I will not make an offer at all. I do not want it. This is not a pearl it is a monstrosity.

The second was a small man. He had a soft voice. He took a glass and inspected the pearl.This pearl is soft and chalky, it will lose its colour and die in a few months.He asked Kino to look at the pearl.

Kino had never seen a pearls surface magnified. He was shocked at the strange looking surface.

The third dealer took the pearl from Kinos hand.He said that one of his clients liked such things.Ill give you 500 pesos for it. Then I can sell it to my client for 600 pesos.

Kino quickly took the pearl from the third buyer. He kept it in his shirt.I can offer you 1500 pesos.I am being cheated. My pearl is not for sale here. I will go to the capital.

Kino walked away angrily.The neighbours were talking in their brush houses in the evening. They all believed Kinos pearl was valuable and beautiful.They felt that the pearl buyers were trying to cheat Kino.

Kino was thinking about the pearl.He had buried his pearl under a stone near the fire.He was afraid of going to the capital. He was afraid of strangers and strange places.The capital was more than 1000 miles away.He thought of his dreams and realised he had to go to the capital.

Juan Tomas was afraid for Kino. He knew that Kino had to go and look for a better future for his family.I will go soon. My son must have a chance.Yes, you must go. I am afraid for you.Go with God.

Kino could not sleep. The music of the enemy played loudly in his head.He could feel the creeping dark things waiting for him to go outside.Kino walked to the doorway.The song of the enemy was in Juanas mind too but she fought it by singing the song of the family.

Juana wanted to stop him. Her mouth opened in terror.After looking into the darkness for some time, Kino stepped out of the house.He was attacked.Juana picked up a stone and rushed outside to help him.But it was over by then. Kino was on the ground, blood oozing from his head.

Kino was half conscious.His shirt was torn.Juana wiped his face with her skirt.She washed the cut with water. Who?I dont know. I didnt see.

Juana was worried. Kino, this pearl is evil. Let us destroy it before it destroys us.No. I will fight this thing. I will win over it. We will have our chance.

In the morning we will go to the capital and sell the pearl. We will not be cheated. I am a man.I am afraid. A man can be killed. Let us throw the pearl back into the sea.Kino raised his hand and put it on Juanas shoulder.

Kino refused. He told Juana to go to sleep.

Exercise 1- Arrange the events in the correct order they occur in the story.a)Kino told Juan Tomas that he had to go to the capital and sell the pearl.b) Kino and Juana dressed in their best old clothes which were clean and went to see the pearl buyers.c) Juan Tomas told Kino to be careful and not be cheated by the pearl buyers.d) When Kino stepped out of the house he was attacked.e) The whole town knew that Kino was going to sell his pearl that day.f) The pearl buyers said that Kinos pearl was not valuable.g) Kino sat brooding in his house and Juan Tomas visited him.h) Juana washed his cut with water and she was worried.i) Juana asked Kino to destroy the pearl.