In Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist,
there are three specific times when Santiago (the boy) is required to pay a price to
find his Personal Legend.
First, the gypsy (in exchange for
analyzing his dream), demands a tenth of his treasure—if he finds
it. He agrees. Next, the King of Salem, Melchizedek, demands a tenth of Santiago's sheep
if Santiago wants to learn of his treasure. Again, Santiago agrees. In promising a tenth
of his treasure and giving away a tenth of his sheep, Santiago seems rather
stoic.
When Santiago has sold the rest of his sheep and has
the money from the sale, he is robbed by a young man he meets in the market place.
Santiago has neither the money to move forward or to return home. He cannot even buy
more sheep. So he takes a job with the crystal merchant. In order to go anywhere, he
must make money, and he works close to a year (eleven months and nine days) to save what
he needs. (At this point, he is again presented with the need to decide in which
direction he will continue.) However, in these circumstances, Santiago has more
difficulty in giving up his time to work for the crystal merchant. He is frustrated that
he has come to such an enormous obstacle through the deceit of
another.
However, in the long run, the time the boy spends
with the crystal merchant teaches Santiago a great deal with regard to pursuing one's
Personal Legend. When first robbed, he was certain he would buy some more sheep and go
home. However, after spending time with the crystal merchant, and seeing how
he missed the chance to achieve his Personal
Legend, Santiago recommits himself to move forward. While at the beginning of this
segment of his life Santiago feels the price is too high (knowing he must work so long),
later he is able to put it into a more meaningful perspective and believes that it has
all been worthwhile.
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