Santiago's Quest: Discovering the Secret of The Alchemist
The Call to Adventure and the Personal Legend
When Santiago, a young shepherd, has a dream that reveals the location of a hidden treasure buried in the Pyramids of Egypt, his simple life is suddenly split. Part of him wants to risk everything to pursue it, while the other part wants to continue his simple life as a shepherd.
A mysterious king convinces Santiago that he has succeeded in discovering his Personal Legend. The old king tells Santiago that continuing his Personal Legend to achieve it is the only real obligation a person has in life.
Trials in Africa and the Crystal Merchant
Santiago listens to his heart and decides to embark on a dangerous pursuit of the treasure. He sells his herd of sheep and goes to Africa, where he is robbed of all his gold and left lying in the streets. He decides he was a fool to believe in his dreams and quickly gets a job with a crystal merchant in order to save enough money to return home.
After spending nearly a year working for the merchant, Santiago has made the business very successful and has enough money to do what he wants. While walking through the streets to return home, he suddenly decides to take the risk and continue his search for the buried treasure.
Crossing the Desert and the Soul of the World
He joins a caravan to make the dangerous desert crossing. As they travel and spend the slow, long days, he begins to listen to his heart and to the desert. He begins to understand what the Soul of the World is and how he fits into it.
Love at the Oasis and the Alchemist's Wisdom
When the caravan arrives at the oasis, Santiago meets a young girl with whom he falls in love from the moment he sees her. The local alchemist, a mysterious man who brings to mind the old king, helps Santiago to continue his journey through the desert and teaches him the most important lessons about life along the road. Although Santiago does not know it yet, he is becoming wiser and a master in the art of living as fully as possible. Although he has left his true love at the oasis, he is determined to follow his dream to the end.
The Pyramids and the True Location of the Treasure
After many adventures, dangers, and important life lessons, Santiago finally reaches the Pyramids. A sense of happiness at finally reaching the end of his trip overwhelms him, and he is grateful for having had the opportunity to follow his dream.
He begins to dig deep into the sand in search of treasure, but before making much progress, a group of bandits appears, beating and robbing him. They force him to continue digging and then leave after not finding any treasure. One of the bandits, as if by destiny, gives Santiago an important clue. When they leave, Santiago can do nothing more than laugh, because he knows where his treasure truly is.
It turns out to be where his journey began, under the same tree where he had the prophetic dream several years ago. He digs and finds a beautiful box filled with gold and precious stones. His next and final trip will be returning to the desert to meet the woman he loves.