The Summary Of The Alchemist
This is the novel of Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian, written in 1988. The book narrates the life of Santiago, who is an Andalusian shepherd boy that dreams to find the treasure buried in the Egyptian pyramids. It is a highly symbolic tale in which themes of self-discovery, personal legends, and dreams have been forged.
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The Journey Begins
Santiago lives an easy life keeping sheep, wandering in the Spanish countryside. One night he has a recurring dream: treasure buried in the sands near the Egyptian pyramids. Now interested, and even more convinced because of the repetition of the dream, he turns to a gypsy fortune teller who informs him that the treasure indeed exists. Soon, Melchizedek, an old king, reaches Santiago and lets him know of such a "Personal Legend," the actualization of the destiny of each one, challenging him to pursue his dream. Elated by such an encouragement, Santiago sells his flock and embarks on the long journey to Egypt over such an arduous stretch to search for his treasure.
The Ordeals
Many of his fortunes, both good and bad, befell Santiago. Calamity first of all befalls the man when upon arrival in Tangier, a thief manages to steal his money, leaving him penniless and downcast. Yet behind this tragic circumstance, Santiago somehow finds himself working for the shop of a crystal merchant and with time learns crucial lessons on patience, perseverance, and appreciatation of opportunities. Though he makes much for the mercantile trade of the merchant, he has enough savings to keep traveling.
The Alchemist and Spiritual Change
It was at a time when he passed across this desert in a caravan that Santiago chanced upon an Englishman who wanted to find another alchemist. His name is said to be able to change lead to gold. As Santiago had discussions with the Englishman, among others, he would slowly come to understand more of this alchemy and the universal principles thereof, such as that when you desire something you truly want, the whole universe conspires to help you in that pursuit.
At the oasis, he finds a lady known as Fatima with whom he falls deeply in love. As he loves Fatima and feels strong connections, he decides that he should leave her behind in order to continue his journey because he knows that his Personal Legend should be accomplished first. There, he finally finds the Alchemist who leads him into deeper spiritual awareness and teaches him to listen to his heart and believe in the Soul of the World.
The Real Treasure
He, under the alchemist's supervision, faces tests. One of them is the highly crucial experience when he just found himself between two tribes fighting in the desert. Finally, he arrives at the pyramids but finds that the treasure was there and elsewhere. Finally, the real treasure that Santiago came to understand was the wisdom, personal development, and spiritual enlightenment he received as he journeyed along. Finally, he discovers, much to his surprise, that the real treasure lies in Spain, precisely at that place which he had started out from.
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Conclusion
This is the evergreen novel Alchemist, a tale of the power of dreams, self-discovery, and the pursuit of one's destiny. In this regard, as exemplified by Santiago's sojourn, most often, in attempting to achieve our Personal Legend-that is, realize our purpose in life-it leads us to paths we least expected to tread. In this respect, this novel teaches that real rewards are not in material wealth but in lessons learned on the way.
Santiago's travels prove the truthfulness that whatever good things we discover are already there within us, just waiting to be uncovered. All one needs is faith, perseverance, and the strength to make the act of following one's dream bear fruit.
