The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

(Image: illustration by @catherine.write.art on Instagram)

The Alchemist is a fictional story based around a shepherd boy named Santiago. He had a large flock of sheep who he had learned to care for and they learned that he was their owner for the longest time. The boy had had a dream to find treasure in the pyramids. Later in the story, the boy was visited by an old kind named Melchizedek who told him he needed to follow his personal legend. The old king had also gifted him two stones named Urim & Thummim.

In order to travel, Santiago needed money. He ended up selling his sheep and used the money to travel to Andalusia. There he met someone who claimed could help him reach the pyramids. Little did Santiago know that he was a thief and took all his money.

Without money, Santiago needed a job. He was hired by a crystal merchant to work for him until he had enough money to go. After a year of working, the boy finally had enough money to keep traveling so he ended up going to join the caravan. There he met an Englishman who was in search for the Alchemist in an oasis.

When they reach the oasis, Santiago helps the Englishman locate where the Alchemist lives. After asking around for a while with no answers, he meets a woman named Fatima. Fatima was the only woman there to help Santiago. The boy ended up falling in love with her but had to complete his personal legend before he got the girl.

At the Oasis, Santiago had a vision of the war that was happening. He had put his life in danger to tell the head of the oasis. If he was wrong about his vision he could get up getting killed. When he ended up being right, his life was spared and he was off again to his personal legend.

On his was he met an alchemist who helped him cross the rest of the desert. When the boy makes it to the pyramids he ends up getting jumped by thugs and robbed. Fortunately, one of them ended up telling Santiago about his dream. The dream ended up helping the boy by finding out where the treasure was.

Santiago ended up getting his treasure, completing his personal legend and plans on getting the girl he wants to be with.