The Alchemist - Paolo Coelho - Part 3 of 4

2020 Reading Challenge - Day 190

July 9, 2020

Book 54 - The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho (1993)
 Part 3 - page 104-159
Reading Time - 60 minutes

Santiago is stuck at the oasis in the desert, waiting for the warring tribes to settle down. In the meantime, he has met the Alchemist, the one the Englishman was searching for. The Alchemist is less interested in the Englishman and his book knowledge but more interested in Santiago and his connection to the Soul of the World.

Santiago starts this section by warning the tribal chiefs at the oasis of an impending attack by the warring tribes. Such an attack would be a grave violation of the tribal code and the chiefs are skeptical but cut a deal with Santiago. If there is an attack, he'll get a piece of gold for every 10 enemies killed. If there is no attack... he will be killed. Luckily, Santiago read the omens correctly and the people of the oasis are saved.

The Alchemist teaches Santiago and then offers to lead him across the desert to the Pyramids. Santiago is told that "wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure". He is a bit torn because, while stuck at the oasis, he has met Fatima, a young woman who has captured his heart. He has been thinking about giving up the quest for the treasure and just settling down with Fatima, buying a herd of sheep and being content with life. The Alchemist tells him that the unfulfilled quest would eat away at him... and so... they head out into the desert.

Along the way, they are captured by one of the warring tribes and threatened with death for being spies. The Alchemist gives all of their gold, including Santiago's, to the tribal chief and then says that Santiago is a great magician who can turn himself into the wind. The chief wants to see that... and so Santiago has three days to prepare... Even though Santiago has no idea how he can turn himself into the wind, he communes with the Soul of the World, with the desert and the wind and the sun and the hand that controls it all and... the chiefs are convinced he is a great magician. The two are free to continue their journey and end up at a Coptic monastery. After using the Philosopher's Stone to turn some lead into gold, the Alchemist shares the gold with the monk, and with Santiago and then leaves Santiago to continue his journey alone.

There was one quote that spoke to me: "When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." We don't live in isolation - everything that we think and do has an impact on the world around us - not just the people, but the actual world. Which makes me think that the flip side of that quote is also true: "When we become worse than we are, everything around us becomes worse too." We then have some serious choices to make. We don't live in isolation... we should know this by now during Covid-19. Our very breath can affect those around us... particularly if we are asymptomatic carriers. But even beyond that... if we live a life of love and compassion for our selves, for others, and for the world around us... we can make a difference and make the world a better place.