Remembering the Great Pearl

          "What happens next mama?"  The interested Coyoti asks.

          "Relax and I'll tell you, Coyoti," Juana says calmly.

With their precious Coyotito gone forever, no house to return to, and no money, Kino and Juana realized just how real the past couple days had been.         The pearl had other ideas for the couple than they had for themselves.  It was an evil that none could comprehend.  Kino and Juana would never be the same after the Great Pearl.

They lost everything they held dear to them, their hopes for the future and their dreams of the past.  A Great Pearl like the one Kino found was worth a lot if you had little to risk but worth a little, if you had a lot to risk.  Kino and Juana had a great deal to lose and they lost everything.  In the glow of the setting sun, Kino and Juana watched the ocean swallow the pearl in its' mighty jaws and disappear from their lives forever.

          Kino turned away and started walking toward the village.  He had no idea where he was going; all he knew was that he and Juana had to build a new home somewhere, and soon.

          "Where are we going to go Kino?"

          "I don't know.  Maybe we should ask Juan Tomás to help us build a new home near La Paz.  That way we may live near family."

          The couple walked slowly up the beach toward the brush houses of the village.  As they neared Juan Tomás' house the sounds of the village people got slowly quieter.  When Kino and Juana reached his brother's home, Juan Tomás, and his wife, Apolonia, were standing outside to greet them.

          "Brother, please come inside and share what is on your mind."

          "Thank you for your kindness."

          Both Kino and Juana followed Juan Tomás and Apolonia into the house and sat down around the table.

          "What brings you to my door?"

          "We have come to ask a favor of you.  As you know, we are without a home and have no money.  We have come to ask if you will help us build a new home just outside of the village."

          "You are of my blood and I cannot turn you down.  Now, tell me more about where you want to build this home of yours."

          The two men sat and conversed about all the details concerning the house, while Apolonia and Juana sat and talked about other things.  It was late before they finally finished talking.  They had agreed upon a course of action to take at first light.

          "For tonight you will sleep here as our guests," said Juan Tomás.

          Just before dawn, Apolonia and Juana awakened to start on the morning cakes.  As they worked, Juan Tomás and Kino slowly awakened and rose to watch the sun rise over the horizon.  After the four ate their cakes, they set off to the place where they were to build Kino and Juana's new home.

          As Kino and Juan Tomás worked on the house, Apolonia and Juana went off in search of the perfect burial site.  After a while, they found one under a little tree.  There they dug a shallow grave where Juana placed the bundle that had Coyotito in the grave.  She said a prayer over the grave and together the two women covered the grave. 

Juana would visit the gravesite many times in the years to come.  She always hoped that her little Coyotito would come back to her.  However, he never did.

"What happened to Kino and Juana?"

Kino and Juana lived to a ripe, old age.  They had one more son, Coyoti, who grew to be a mighty hunter.  Moreover, they still dwell in the same brush house outside of La Paz.  I hope that they will never experience unhappiness ever again.

          "Thank you that was a great story mama."

          "Yes and now it's time for bed."

          "That's a real story isn't it mama?"

          "Yes it's a true story, now you need to sleep."

          "Goodnight mama."

          "Goodnight Coyoti."