Fiction — The Book Roads

Pearl Thief

Noor Al Noaimi

The Pearl Thief is a short story about Hassan, a poor Bahraini islander determined to improve his family’s circumstances. Struggling to care for his ageing parents, he considers an extraordinary undertaking: joining a pearl-diving expedition despite being unable to swim. The dangerous world of traditional pearl diving offers the possibility of escaping poverty, but it also demands courage and exposes participants to serious risks. Hassan must confront his fears and question whether determination alone can overcome the limitations imposed by his circumstances. Through his journey, Noor Al Noaimi evokes Bahrain’s historical relationship with the sea and the pearl trade, once central to the livelihoods of coastal communities. The story explores economic hardship, family responsibility, and the desire to change one’s destiny in a society where opportunity is often determined by birth and social position.

Bahrain 2015