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The Alchemist is a story which says that everyone has a special destiny, and yet not everyone
resolves to attain it because it takes hard work. Reaching one''''s destiny requires leaving behind familiar surroundings. It also demands persistence, the ability to change when appropriate and the willingness to respond to omens that point the way.
The main character, a young Spanish shepherd, Santiago, is disturbed by a recurrent dream that seems to have a message for him. He seeks a gypsy to explain its meaning. She affirms what the dream is trying to tell him, that he will find his treasure at the Egyptian pyramids. He meets an old man who is actually an unassuming king, who tells him that he needs to learn to respond to omens. The king explains "the principle of favorability, beginner''''s luck. Because life wants you to achieve your destiny."
Santiago leaves his sheep to embark on a long journey across foreign territory in search of a hidden treasure, his destiny. Though Santiago travels far, learns much and faces mortal danger to get to his treasure, in the end he finds that treasure, his destiny, back at home in the very place where he started. From the start, as in life, the journey is filled with difficulties and unanticipated challenges. Through the challenges of loss and hard work, Santiago learns to recognize and respond to omens. He meets and interacts with several characters along the way from whom he learns something important about himself. Whether they intend to or not, the characters along the way help guide him to his treasure.
Published: February 02, 2008