The pearl of the world is the easiest example of this idea. The pearl, in its huge size, is not at all able to bring the things that Kino wants. He wants a rifle, an education for his son, and a wedding with Juana. One would think that the priest, for example, would be the most kind and charitable, yet he has not married them until they could afford it, such a contradiction to what Catholics believe should happen. The merchants try to cheat him and do not treat him fairly. People who might be considered his friends try to rob him, and ultimately they chase him, and they try to murder him and his family. They kill Coyotito and force Kino to return the pearl to the ocean from which it came. He truly has had nothing but grief from a treasure which could have changed his life.