He has a vision of the Oasis being attacked (which is against Tradition – capital T – not the vision the attack!) and informs the chiefs. Ultimately his warning saves the Oasis but first the boy has to prove himself reliable – this invoves turning himself into the wind). The boy and the Alchemist continue his journey to the pyramids. They stop at a monastry where the Alchemist turns lead into gold. He divides the gold into four – giving one section to the boy, another to the priest, keeping one for himself and another one help by the priest in trust for the boy (in case he returns from the pyramids with no treasure).
This is the story (parable) of a Spanish boy, a shepherd, who has a recurring dream that he can find buried treasure near the Pyramids of Egypt. He consults a gypsy women wise in dream lore who tells him he should go to Egypt and find his treasure – plus she wants 10% of it. On his way he meets a man who calls himself a king (and who gives him two stones to help him pick omens), a thief who steals all of his money and so strands him on the wrong side of the desert (from the pyramids). He works for a man who owns a crystal store – and dramatically improves the business. Once he earns enough money, he joins a caravan travelling across the desert. On the journey he meets an Englishmen trying to become an Alchemist and a wise camel driver. A war is brewing between the desert tribes and the caravan is stranded at an Oasis. There the boy meets the beautiful Fatima and the Alchemist
The boy continues to the pyramids and digs for his treasure …
I won’t ruin the rest of the story for anyone.
For me this book was about finding your personal legend (your purpose) and then following that path. It’s about believing in yourself, living in the moment and listening to your heart.
It is for anyone who feels that they are just going through the motions, sticking with a job they hate for the money. It reminds us to be open to the world and its possibilities and in Oprah speak to live an authentic life.
hello!
I’m also a big Paulo Coelho’s fan and I don’t know if you heard about his blog
http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com
I’ve started as a fan and now I’m collaborating with him and thought that you would like to enter his universe.
Check the blog, if you want, or subscribe to his newsletter
http://www.warriorofthelight.com/engl/index.html
You’ll see a community of warriors of light sharing ideas, dreams and most importantly following their personal legend.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The warrior of light knows that he is free to choose his desires, and he makes these decisions with courage, detachment and – sometimes – with just
a touch of madness.”
See u there and have a great day!
Aart
I read the Alchemist and found it interesting, fanciful but was not much more than an updated “Wizard of Oz”. The “New Age” focus in which the author employs a variety of religious symbols, stories and individuals ( Melchizadek- Old Testment King of Salem and etc) caused me to take it less seriously as it had no single valid source that it was speaking from. As a result it just came across as a collection of encouragements to be true to yourself- and search for your dream. This isn’t a bad thing however it would, for me, have been much more powerful if it had employed a consistent valid source from which to give advice.