Santiago is a common shepherd who lives in Andalusia with big dreams of travelling the world and exploring its possibilities. He has traveled to many towns and met many people, but the one person he most remembers is a merchant's daughter he met along the way of his travels, and no other woman can compare. Day in and day out, he travels from town to town to herd his sheep and sell their fur for living. Santiago is very close to his sheep and believes that without him, they would not be able to survive. For some time now, he has been having a reoccurring about a child with his who then takes his hand and transports him to the Egyptian pyramids. The child tells him that he will find hidden treasure, which leaves Santiago confused. He then sets off to an old gypsy to interpret his dream, and she tells him that he must go to Egypt, and when he returns, to give handover one tenth of the treasure he finds. Santiago resumes his daily lifestyle, in which he comes across an old man who parched, and Santiago allows him to sip from his wine bottle. The old man states he is a King and claims his name is Melchizedek, but Santiago refuses to believe him. As the conversation continues, the old man speaks with much wisdom, and gives insight to a person's "Personal Legend" and that a person must discover and set out this goal. The old man describes how he takes many forms to people who are on the verge of giving up their personal legend. He tells Santiago that he must travel to Egypt and find the treasure he dreamed of. The King then asks Santiago for his sheep in return for two jewels named Urim and Thummim which are to assist Santiago along his journey by recognizing omens. Santiago made his way to Tangier, where he was robbed by a friendly stranger he met in a bar. Disheartened, Santiago picks up job at a glass crystal store to gather enough money to buy some sheep and return to life he once lived.
Quotation:
"At a certain point in our lives, we loose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie." (Coelho 18)
Reflection:
As the King spoke of Personal Legends, he spoke this quote, which to me was very weird at first. I then realized that what he spoke of was true. There are many people in the world who give up on dreams, or goals in life because they are not able to influence their lives enough to make that dream a reality. As soon as that happens, they call what ever situation befalls them, fate, that the dream they once had, was not meant to be. THIS IS A LIE! People should not dictate their lives just by a few set backs to accomplishing their dream, but never lose faith.
Reflection:
As the King spoke of Personal Legends, he spoke this quote, which to me was very weird at first. I then realized that what he spoke of was true. There are many people in the world who give up on dreams, or goals in life because they are not able to influence their lives enough to make that dream a reality. As soon as that happens, they call what ever situation befalls them, fate, that the dream they once had, was not meant to be. THIS IS A LIE! People should not dictate their lives just by a few set backs to accomplishing their dream, but never lose faith.
