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Paulo Coelho – The Alchemist | Full Audiobook
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Harper Audio presents The Alchemist by
The Alchemist picked up a book that
someone in the caravan had brought.
Leafing through the pages, he found a
story about Narcissus.
The alchemist knew the legend of
Narcissus, a youth who knelt daily
beside a lake to contemplate his own beauty.
beauty.
He was so fascinated by himself that one
morning he fell into the lake and drowned.
drowned.
At the spot where he fell, a flower was
born, which was called the Narcissus.
But this was not how the author of the
book ended the story.
He said that when Narcissus died, the
goddesses of the forest appeared and
found the lake which had been freshwater
transformed into a lake of salty tears.
"Why do you weep?" the goddesses asked.
"I weep for Narcissus," the lake
replied. "Ah, it is no surprise that you
weep for Narcissus," they said. "For
though we always pursued him in the
forest, you alone could contemplate his
beauty close at hand.
But was Narcissus beautiful? The lake
asked. Who better than you to know that?
The goddesses said in wonder. After all,
it was by your banks that he knelt each
The lake was silent for some time.
Finally, it said, "I weep for Narcissus,
but I never noticed that Narcissus was beautiful.
beautiful.
I weep because each time he knelt beside
my banks, I could see in the depths of
his eyes my own beauty reflected.
What a lovely story, the alchemist thought.
The boy's name was Santiago.
Dusk was falling as the boy arrived with
his herd at an abandoned church. The
roof had fallen in long ago, and an
enormous sycamore had grown on the spot
where the sacry had once stood.
He decided to spend the night there. He
saw to it that all the sheep entered
through the ruined gate, and then laid
some planks across it to prevent the
flock from wandering away during the
night. There were no wolves in the
region, but once an animal had strayed
during the night, and the boy had had to
spend the entire next day searching for it.
it.
He swept the floor with his jacket and
lay down, using the book he had just
finished reading as a pillow.
He told himself that he'd have to start
reading thicker books. They lasted
longer and made more comfortable pillows.
pillows.
It was still dark when he awoke, and
looking up, he could see the stars
through the half-destroyed roof.
I wanted to sleep a little longer, he
thought. He had had the same dream that
night as a week ago. and once again he
had awakened before it ended.
He arose and taking up his crook, began
to awaken the sheep that still slept.
He'd noticed that as soon as he awoke,
most of his animals also began to stir.
It was as if some mysterious energy
bound his life to that of the sheep with
whom he had spent the past 2 years
leading them through the countryside in
search of food and water.
They're so used to me that they know my
schedule, he muttered.
Thinking about that for a moment, he
realized that it could be the other way
round, that it was he who had become
accustomed to their schedule.
But there were certain of them who took
a bit longer to awaken. The boy prodded
them one by one with his crook, calling
each by name.
He'd always believed that the sheep were
able to understand what he said. So
there were times when he read them parts
of his books that had made an impression
on him, or when he would tell them of
the loneliness or the happiness of a
shepherd in the fields.
Sometimes he would comment to them on
the things he had seen in the villages
they passed.
But for the past few days, he'd spoken
to them only about one thing. The girl,
the daughter of a merchant who lived in
the village they would reach in about 4 days.
days.
He'd been to the village only once the
year before. The merchant was the
proprietor of a dry goods shop, and he
always demanded that the sheep be
sheared in his presence so that he would
not be cheated. A friend had told the
boy about the shop, and he' taken his
I need to sell some wool," the boy told
the merchant. The shop was busy, and the
man asked the shepherd to wait until the
afternoon, so the boy sat on the steps
of the shop and took a book from his
bag. "I didn't know shepherds knew how
to read," said a girl's voice behind
him. "The girl was typical of the region
of Andalusia, with flowing black hair
and eyes that vaguely recalled the
Moorish conquerors.
Well, usually I learn more from my sheep
than from books," he answered.
During the two hours that they talked,
she told him she was the merchant's
daughter, and spoke of life in the
village, where each day was like all the
others. The shepherd told her of the
Andalusian countryside, and related the
news from the other towns where he had
stopped. "It was a pleasant change from
talking to his sheep."
"How did you learn to read?" the girl
asked at one point. "Like everybody
learns," he said. in school? Well, if
you know how to read, why are you just
the shepherd?" The boy mumbled an answer
that allowed him to avoid responding to
her question. He was sure the girl would
never understand. He went on telling
stories about his travels, and her
bright moorish eyes went wide with fear
and surprise.
As the time passed, the boy found
himself wishing that the day would never
end, that her father would stay busy and
keep him waiting for three days.
He recognized that he was feeling
something he had never experienced
before, the desire to live in one place
forever. With the girl with the raven
hair, his days would never be the same again.
again.
But finally the merchant appeared and
asked the boy to shear four sheep. He
paid for the wool and asked the shepherd
And now it was only 4 days before he
would be back in that same village. He
was excited and at the same time uneasy.
Maybe the girl had already forgotten
him. Lots of shepherds passed through
selling their wool. It doesn't matter,
he said to his sheep. I know other girls
in other places.
But in his heart he knew that it did
matter. And he knew that shepherds, like
seaman and like traveling salesmen,
always found a town where there was
someone who could make them forget the
joys of carefree wandering.
The day was dawning, and the shepherd
urged his sheep in the direction of the
sun. They never have to make any
decisions, he thought. Maybe that's why
they always stay close to me.
The only things that concerned the sheep
were food and water. As long as the boy
knew how to find the best pastures in
Anderuzia, they would be his friends.
Yes, their days were all the same with
the seemingly endless hours between
sunrise and dusk, and they'd never read
a book in their young lives, and didn't
understand when the boy told them about
the sights of the cities. They were
content with just food and water, and in
exchange they generously gave of their
wool, their company, and once in a while
their meat.
If I became a monster today, and decided
to kill them one by one, they would
become aware only after most of the
flock had been slaughtered, thought the
boy. They trust me, and they've
forgotten how to rely on their own
instincts, because I lead them to nourishment.
nourishment.
The boy was surprised at his thoughts.
Maybe the church with the sycamore
growing from within had been haunted.
It had caused him to have the same dream
for a second time, and it was causing
him to feel anger towards his faithful companions.
companions.
He drank a bit from the wine that
remained from his dinner of the night
before, and he gathered his jacket
closer to his body. He knew that a few
hours from now, with the sun at its
zenith, the heat would be so great that
he would not be able to lead his flock
across the fields. It was the time of
day when all of Spain slept during the
summer. The heat lasted until nightfall,
and all that time he had to carry his
jacket. But when he thought to complain
about the burden of its weight, he
remembered that because he had the
jacket, he had withtood the cold of the dawn.
dawn.
We have to be prepared for change, he
thought, and he was grateful for the
jacket's weight and warmth.
The jacket had a purpose, and so did the
boy. His purpose in life was to travel,
and after 2 years of walking the
Andalusian terrain, he knew all the
cities of the region. He was planning on
this visit to explain to the girl how it
was that a simple shepherd knew how to
read, that he had attended a seminary
until he was 16. His parents had wanted
him to become a priest and thereby a
source of pride for a simple farm
family. They had worked hard just to
have food and water like the sheep. He
had studied Latin, Spanish, and theology.
theology.
But ever since he had been a child, he
had wanted to know the world, and this
was much more important to him than
knowing God and learning about man's sins.
sins.
One afternoon on a visit to his family,
he had summoned up the courage to tell
his father that he didn't want to become
People from all over the world have
passed through this village, son, said
his father. They come in search of new
things, but when they leave, they are
basically the same people they were when
they arrived. They climb the mountain to
see the castle, and they wind up
thinking that the past was better than
what we have now. They have blonde hair
or dark skin, but basically they're the
same as the people who live right here.
But I'd like to see the castles in the
towns where they live, the boy explained.
explained.
Those people when they see our land say
they would like to live here forever,
his father continued. Well, I'd like to
see their land and see how they live,
said his son. People who come here have
a lot of money to spend so they can
afford to travel, his father said.
Amongst us, the only ones who travel are
the shepherds. Well, then I'll be a
shepherd. His father said no more. The
next day he gave his son a pouch that
held three ancient Spanish gold coins.
I found these one day in the fields. I
wanted them to be a part of your
inheritance. But use them to buy your
flock. Take to the fields and someday
you'll learn that our countryside is the
best and our women the most beautiful.
and he gave the boy his blessing.
The boy could see in his father's gaze a
desire to be able himself to travel the
world. A desire that was still alive
despite his father's having had to bury
it over dozens of years under the burden
of struggling for water to drink, food
to eat, and the same place to sleep
The horizon was tinged with red, and
suddenly the sun appeared.
The boy thought back to that
conversation with his father, and felt
happy. He had already seen many castles
and met many women, but none the equal
of the one who awaited him several days hence.
hence.
He owned a jacket, a book that he could
trade for another, and a flock of sheep.
But most important, he was able every
day to live out his dream.
If he were to tire of the Andalusian
fields, he could sell his sheep and go
to sea. By the time he had had enough of
the sea, he would already have known
other cities, other women, and other
chances to be happy.
I couldn't have found God in the
seminary, he thought as he looked at the sunrise.
sunrise.
Whenever he could, he sought out a new
road to travel. He had never been to
that ruined church before, in spite of
having traveled through those parts many
times. The world was huge and
inexhaustible. He had only to allow his
sheep to set the route for a while. And
he would discover other interesting things.
things.
The problem is that they don't even
realize that they're walking a new road
every day. They don't see that the
fields are new and the seasons change.
All they think about is food and water.
Maybe we're all that way. the boy mused.
Even me. I hadn't thought of other women
since I met the merchants's daughter.
Looking at the sun, he calculated that
he would reach Tarifa before midday.
There he could exchange his book for a
thicker one, fill his wine bottle,
shave, and have a haircut. He had to
prepare himself for his meeting with the
girl, and he didn't want to think about
the possibility that some other shepherd
with a larger flock of sheep had arrived
there before him and asked for her hand.
It's the possibility of having a dream
come true that makes life interesting,
he thought as he looked again at the
position of the sun and hurried his
pace. He had suddenly remembered that in
Tarifa there was an old woman who
The old woman led the boy to a room at
the back of her house.
It was separated from her living room by
a curtain of colored beads.
The room's furnishings consisted of a
table, an image of the sacred heart of
Jesus, and two chairs.
The woman sat down and told him to be
seated as well.
Then she took both of his hands in hers
and began quietly to pray.
It sounded like a gypsy prayer. The boy
had already had experience on the road
with gypsies. They also traveled, but
they had no flocks of sheep. People said
that gypsies spent their lives tricking others.
others.
It was also said that they had a pact
with the devil and that they kidnapped
children and taking them away to their
mysterious camps made them their slaves.
As a child, the boy had always been
frightened to death that he would be
captured by gypsies, and this childhood
fear returned when the old woman took
his hands in hers.
But she has the sacred heart of Jesus
there, he thought, trying to reassure himself.
himself.
He didn't want his hand to begin
trembling, showing the old woman that he
was fearful.
He recited an Our Father silently.
"Very interesting," said the woman,
never taking her eyes from the boy's
hands. And then she fell silent.
The boy was becoming nervous. His hands
began to tremble, and the woman sensed
it. He quickly pulled his hands away. "I
didn't come here to have you read my
palm," he said, already regretting
having come. He thought for a moment
that it would be better to pay her fee
and leave without learning a thing, that
he was giving too much importance to his
recurrent dream. "You came so you could
learn about your dreams," said the old
woman. "And dreams are the language of God.
God.
When he speaks in our language, I can
interpret what he has said. But if he
speaks in the language of the soul, it
is only you who can understand.
But whichever it is, I'm going to charge
you for the consultation.
Another trick, the boy thought. But he
decided to take a chance. A shepherd
always takes his chances with wolves and
with drought, and that's what makes a
shepherd's life exciting.
I've had the same dream twice, he said.
I dreamed that I was in a field with my
sheep when a child appeared and began to
play with the animals. I don't like
people to do that because the sheep are
afraid of strangers. But children always
seem to be able to play with them
without frightening them. I don't know
why. I don't know how animals know the
age of human beings.
Tell me more about your dream, said the
woman. I have to get back to my cooking,
and since you don't have much money, I
can't give you a lot of time.
Well, the child went on playing with my
sheep for quite a while, continued the
boy, a bit upset, and suddenly the child
took me by both hands and transported me
to the Egyptian pyramids.
He paused for a moment to see if the
woman knew what the Egyptian pyramids
were, but she said nothing.
"Then at the Egyptian pyramids," he said
the last three words slowly so that the
old woman would understand. The child
said to me, "If you come here, you will
find a hidden treasure."
And just as she was about to show me the
exact location, I woke up both times.
The woman was silent for some time. Then
she again took his hands and studied
them carefully.
"I'm not going to charge you anything
now," she said, "but I want one/tenth of
the treasure if you find it."
The boy laughed out of happiness. He was
going to be able to save the little
money he had because of a dream about
hidden treasure.
Well, interpret the dream, he said.
First, swear to me. Swear you will give
me one/tenth of your treasure in
exchange for what I'm going to tell you.
The shepherd swore that he would. The
old woman asked him to swear again while
looking at the image of the sacred heart
of Jesus.
It's a dream in the language of the
world, she said. I can interpret it but
the interpretation is very difficult.
That's why I feel that I deserve a part
of what you find.
And this is my interpretation.
You must go to the pyramids in Egypt.
I have never heard of them, but if it
was a child who showed them to you, they exist.
exist.
There you will find a treasure that will
make you a rich man.
The boy was surprised and then irritated.
irritated.
He didn't need to seek out the old woman
for this. But then he remembered that he
wasn't going to have to pay anything. "I
didn't need to waste my time just for
this," he said. "I told you that your
dream was a difficult one. It's the
simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.
extraordinary.
Only wise men are able to understand
them, and since I am not wise, I have
had to learn other arts such as the
reading of palms.
Well, how am I going to get to Egypt? I
only interpret dreams. I don't know how
to turn them into reality.
That's why I have to live off what my
daughters provide me with. And what if I
never get to Egypt? Then I don't get
paid. It wouldn't be the first time.
And the woman told the boy to leave,
saying she'd already wasted too much
time with him.
So the boy was disappointed.
He decided he would never again believe
in dreams.
He remembered that he had a number of
things he had to take care of. He went
to the market for something to eat. He
traded his book for one that was
thicker, and he found a bench in the
plaza where he could sample the new wine
he had bought. The day was hot, and the
wine was refreshing.
The sheep were at the gates of the city
in a stable that belonged to a friend.
The boy knew a lot of people in the
city. That was what made traveling
appeal to him. He always made new
friends and he didn't need to spend all
of his time with them. When someone sees
the same people every day, as had
happened with him in the seminary, they
wind up becoming a part of that person's
life, and then they want the person to change.
change.
If someone isn't what others want them
to be, the others become angry.
Everyone seems to have a clear idea of
how other people should lead their
lives, but none about his or her own.
He decided to wait until the sun had
sunk a bit lower in the sky before
following his flock back through the fields.
fields.
3 days from now he would be with the
merchant's daughter.
He started to read the book he had
bought. On the very first page, it
described a burial ceremony, and the
names of the people involved were very
difficult to pronounce. If he ever wrote
a book, he thought he would present one
person at a time, so that the reader
wouldn't have to worry about memorizing
a lot of names.
When he was finally able to concentrate
on what he was reading, he liked the
book better. The burial was on a snowy
day, and he welcomed the feeling of
being cold. As he read on, an old man
sat down at his side and tried to strike
up a conversation.
"What are they doing?" the old man
asked, pointing at the people in the
plaza. "Working?" the boy answered
dryly, making it look as if he wanted to
concentrate on his reading.
"Actually, he was thinking about
shearing his sheep in front of the
merchant's daughter, so that she could
see that he was someone who was capable
of doing difficult things.
He had already imagined the scene many
times. Every time the girl became
fascinated when he explained that the
sheep had to be sheared from back to front.
front.
He also tried to remember some good
stories to relate as he she shared his sheep.
sheep.
Most of them he had read in books, but
he would tell them as if they were from
his personal experience. She would never
know the difference because she didn't
know how to read.
Meanwhile, the old man persisted in his
attempt to strike up a conversation.
He said he was tired and thirsty and
asked if he might have a sip of the
boy's wine. The boy offered his bottle,
hoping that the old man would leave him alone.
alone.
But the old man wanted to talk, and he
asked the boy what book he was reading.
The boy was tempted to be rude and moved
to another bench, but his father had
taught him to be respectful of the
elderly. So he held out the book to the
man for two reasons. first that he
himself wasn't sure how to pronounce the
title, and second, that if the old man
didn't know how to read, he would
probably feel ashamed and decide of his
own accord to change benches. "The
"The
old man, looking at all sides of the
book, as if it were some strange object.
This is an important book, but it's
really irritating."
The boy was shocked.
The old man knew how to read and had
already read the book. And if the book
was irritating, as the old man had said,
the boy still had time to change it for
another. It's a book that says the same
thing almost all the other books in the
world say, continued the old man. It
describes people's inability to choose
their own personal legends.
And it ends up saying that everyone
believes the world's greatest lie.
What's the world's greatest lie? The boy
asked, completely surprised. It's this.
That at a certain point in our lives, we
lose control of what's happening to us,
and our lives become controlled by fate.
That's the world's greatest lie.
That's never happened to me. The boy
said, "They wanted me to be a priest,
but I decided to become a shepherd."
"Much better," said the old man.
"Because you really like to travel."
"He knew what I was thinking," the boy
said to himself.
The old man, meanwhile, was leafing
through the book without seeming to want
to return it at all. The boy noticed
that the man's clothing was strange.
He looked like an Arab, which was not
unusual in those parts. Africa was only
a few hours from Tarifa. One only had to
cross the narrow straits by boat. Arabs
often appeared in the city, shopping and
chanting their strange prayers several
times a day. Where are you from? The boy
asked. From many places.
No one can be from many places, the boy
said. I'm a shepherd and I've been to
many places, but I come from only one
place. From a city near an ancient
castle. That's where I was born.
Well, then we could say that I was born
in Salem.
The boy didn't know where Salem was, but
he didn't want to ask, fearing that he
would appear ignorant. He looked at the
people in the plaza for a while. They
were coming and going, and all of them
seemed to be very busy.
So, what is Salem like? He asked, trying
to get some sort of clue.
It's like it always has been.
No clue yet, but he knew that Salem
wasn't in Anderuzia.
If it were, he would already have heard
of it.
"And um what do you do in Salem?" he insisted.
insisted.
"What do I do in Salem?" the old man
laughed. "Well, I'm the king of Salem."
"People say strange things," the boy thought.
thought.
Sometimes it's better to be with the
sheep who don't say anything, and better
still to be alone with one's books. They
tell their incredible stories of the
time when you want to hear them. But
when you're talking to people, they say
some things that are so strange that you
don't know how to continue the conversation.
conversation.
"My name is MelkiseDc," said the old
man. "How many sheep do you have?"
"Enough," said the boy. He could see
that the old man wanted to know more
about his life.
Well, then we've got a problem. I can't
help you if you feel you've got enough sheep.
sheep.
The boy was getting irritated. He wasn't
asking for help. It was the old man who
had asked for a drink of his wine and
had started the conversation.
Give me my book, the boy said. I have to
go and gather my sheep and get going.
Give me one/tenth of your sheep, said
the old man, and I'll tell you how to
find the hidden treasure.
The boy remembered his dream, and
suddenly everything was clear to him.
The old woman hadn't charged him
anything, but the old man, maybe he was
her husband, was going to find a way to
get much more money in exchange for
information about something that didn't
even exist.
The old man was probably a gypsy, too.
But before the boy could say anything,
the old man leaned over, picked up a
stick, and began to write in the sound
of the plaza.
Something bright reflected from his
chest with such intensity that the boy
was momentarily blinded.
With a movement that was too quick for
someone of his age, the man covered what
it was with his cape. When his vision
returned to normal, the boy was able to
read what the old man had written in the sand.
sand.
There, in the sand of the plaza of that
small city, the boy read the names of
his father and his mother and the name
of the seminary he had attended.
He read the name of the merchant's
daughter, which he hadn't even known.
and he read things he had never told anyone.
"I'm the king of Salem," the old man had said.
said.
"Why would a king be talking with a
shepherd?" the boy asked, aed and embarrassed.
embarrassed.
"For several reasons, but let's say the
most important is that you have
succeeded in discovering your personal legend."
legend."
The boy didn't know what a person's
personal legend was.
It's what you have always wanted to accomplish.
accomplish.
Everyone when they are young knows what
their personal legend is. At that point
in their lives, everything is clear and
everything is possible. They are not
afraid to dream and to yearn for
everything they would like to see happen
to them in their lives. But as time
passes, a mysterious force begins to
convince them that it will be impossible
for them to realize their personal legend.
legend.
None of what the old man was saying made
much sense to the boy, but he wanted to
know what the mysterious force was.
The merchant's daughter would be
impressed when he told her about that.
It's a force that appears to be
negative, but actually shows you how to
realize your personal legend. It
prepares your spirit and your will.
Because there is one great truth on this
planet, whoever you are, or whatever it
is that you do. When you really want
something, it's because that desire
originated in the soul of the universe.
It's your mission on earth.
Even when all you want to do is travel
or marry the daughter of a textile
merchant. Yes. Or even search for treasure.
treasure.
The soul of the world is nourished by
people's happiness and also by
unhappiness, envy, and jealousy. To
realize one's personal legend is a
person's only real obligation.
All things are one.
And when you want something,
all the universe conspires in helping
you to achieve it.
They were both silent for a time,
observing the plaza and the town's people.
people.
It was the old man who spoke first.
Why do you tend to flock of sheep?
Because I like to travel.
The old man pointed to a baker standing
in his shop window at one corner of the plaza.
plaza.
When he was a child, that man wanted to
travel, too. But he decided first to buy
his bakery and put some money aside.
When he's an old man, he's going to
spend a month in Africa.
He never realized that people are
capable at any time of their lives of
doing what they dream of.
He should have decided to become a
shepherd. The boy said, "Well, he
thought about that," the old man said.
"But bakers are more important people
than shepherds. Bakers have homes, while
shepherds sleep out in the open. Parents
would rather see their children marry
bakers than shepherds."
The boy felt a pang in his heart
thinking about the merchant's daughter.
There was surely a baker in her town.
The old man continued, "In the long run,
what people think about shepherds and
bakers becomes more important for them
than their own personal legends."
The old man leafed through the book and
fell to reading a page he came to. The
boy waited and then interrupted the old
man just as he himself had been interrupted.
interrupted.
Why are you telling me all this?
Because you are trying to realize your
personal legend and you are at the point
where you are about to give it all up
and that's when you always appear on the
scene. Not always in this way, but I
always appear in one form or another.
Sometimes I appear in the form of a
solution or good idea.
At other times, at a crucial moment, I
make it easier for things to happen.
There are other things I do, too. But
most of the time, people don't realize
I've done them.
The old man related that the week before
he'd been forced to appear before a
minor and had taken the form of a stone.
The miner had abandoned everything to go
mining for emeralds.
For 5 years he had been working a
certain river and had examined hundreds
of thousands of stones looking for an emerald.
emerald.
The miner was about to give it all up
right at the point when if he were to
examine just one more stone, just one
more, he would find his emerald. Since
the miner had sacrificed everything to
his personal legend, the old man decided
to become involved.
He transformed himself into a stone that
rolled up to the miner's foot. The
miner, with all the anger and
frustration of his five fruitless years,
picked up the stone and threw it aside.
But he had thrown it with such force
that it broke the stone it fell upon.
And there, embedded in the broken stone,
was the most beautiful emerald in the
world. People learn early in their lives
what is their reason for being, said the
old man with a certain bitterness. Maybe
that's why they give up on it so early,
too. But that's the way it is.
The boy reminded the old man that he had
said something about hidden treasure.
Treasure is uncovered by the force of
flowing water, and it is buried by the
same current, said the old man. If you
want to learn about your own treasure,
you will have to give me one/tenth of
your flock.
What about onetenth of my treasure?
The old man looked disappointed.
If you start out by promising what you
don't even have yet, you'll lose your
desire to work toward getting it. The
boy told him that he'd already promised
to give one/tenth of his treasure to the gypsy.
gypsy.
Gypsies are experts at getting people to
do that, said the old man.
In any case, it's good that you've
learned that everything in life has its
price. That is what the warriors of the
light try to teach. The old man returned
the book to the boy.
Tomorrow, at this same time, bring me a
tenth of your flock, and I will tell you
how to find the hidden treasure.
Good afternoon.
And he vanished around the corner of the plaza.
The boy began again to read his book,
but he was no longer able to concentrate.
concentrate.
He was tense and upset because he knew
that the old man was right. He went over
to the bakery and brought a loaf of
bread, thinking about whether or not he
should tell the baker what the old man
had said about him. "Sometimes it's
better to leave things as they are," he
thought to himself, and decided to say
nothing. If he were to say anything, the
baker would spend three days thinking
about giving it all up, even though he
had gotten used to the way things were.
The boy could certainly resist causing
that kind of anxiety for the baker. So
he began to wander through the city and
found himself at the gates.
There was a small building there with a
window at which people bought tickets to
Africa, and he knew that Egypt was in Africa.
Africa.
Can I help you?" asked the man behind
the window. "Maybe tomorrow," said the
boy, moving away. "If he sold just one
of his sheep, he'd have enough to get to
the other shore of the straight."
The idea frightened him. "Another
dreamer," said the ticket seller to his
assistant, watching the boy walk away.
"He doesn't have enough money to travel."
travel."
While standing at the ticket window, the
boy had remembered his flock and decided
that he should go back to being a
shepherd. In two years, he had learned
everything about shephering. He knew how
to shear sheep, how to care for pregnant
you, and how to protect the sheep from
wolves. He knew all the fields and
pastures of Andaluzia.
And he knew what was the fair price for
every one of his animals.
He decided to return to his friend's
stable by the longest route possible.
As he walked past the city's castle, he
interrupted his return and climbed the
stone ramp that led to the top of the
wall. From there, he could see Africa in
the distance.
Some would have once told him that it
was from there that the Mo had come to
occupy all of Spain.
He could see almost the entire city from
where he sat, including the plaza where
he had talked to the old man. "Curse the
moment I met that old man," he thought.
He had come to the town only to find a
woman who could interpret his dream.
Neither the woman nor the old man were
at all impressed by the fact that he was
a shepherd. They were solitary
individuals who no longer believed in
things and didn't understand that
shepherds become attached to their sheep.
sheep.
He knew everything about each member of
his flock. He knew which ones were lame,
which ones were to give birth two months
from now, and which were the laziest. He
knew how to shear them, how to slaughter
them. If he ever decided to leave them,
they would suffer.
The wind began to pick up. He knew that
wind. People called it the Levant
because on it the moors had come from
the Levant at the eastern end of the Mediterranean.
Mediterranean.
The Levant increased in intensity. "Here
I am, between my flock and my treasure,"
the boy thought. He had to choose
between something he had become
accustomed to and something he wanted to
have. "There was also the merchant's
daughter, but she wasn't as important as
his flock, because she didn't depend on
him. Maybe she didn't even remember
him." He was sure that it made no
difference to her on which day he
appeared. For her, every day was the
same. And when each day is the same as
the next, it's because people fail to
recognize the good things that happen in
their lives. Every day the sun rises.
I left my father, my mother, and the
town castle behind. They've gotten used
to my being away, and so have I. The
sheep will get used to my not being
there, too, the boy thought.
From where he sat, he could observe the
plaza. People continued to come and go
from the baker's shop. A young couple
sat on the bench where he had talked
with the old man, and they kissed. "That
baker," he said to himself without
completing the thought. The lavanta was
still getting stronger, and he felt its
force on his face. "That wind had
brought the moors, yes, but it had also
brought the smell of the desert and the
veiled women. It had brought with it the
sweat and the dreams of men who had once
left to search for the unknown and for
gold and adventure and for the pyramids.
The boy felt jealous of the freedom of
the wind and saw that he could have the
same freedom.
There was nothing to hold him back
except himself.
The sheep, the merchants's daughter, and
the fields of Andaluzier were only steps
along the way to his personal legend.
The next day, the boy met the old man at noon.
noon.
He brought six sheep with him. "I'm
surprised," the boy said. "My friend
bought all the other sheep immediately.
He said that he'd always dreamed of
being a shepherd and that it was a good
omen." "That's the way it always is,"
said the old man. "It's called the
principle of favorability.
When you play cards for the first time,
you're almost sure to win beginners's
luck. Why is that? Because there's a
force that wants you to realize your
personal legend. It wets your appetite
with a taste of success.
Then the old man began to inspect the
sheep, and he saw that one was lame. The
boy explained that it wasn't important
since that sheep was the most
intelligent of the flock and produced
the most wool.
Where is the treasure? He asked. It's in
Egypt near the pyramids.
The boy was startled. The old woman had
said the same thing, but she hadn't
charged him anything. In order to find
the treasure, you will have to follow
the omens.
God has prepared a path for everyone to
follow. You just have to read the omens
that he left for you. Before the boy
could reply, a butterfly appeared and
fluttered between him and the old man.
He remembered something his grandfather
had once told him, that butterflies were
a good omen, like crickets and like
expectations, like lizards and fourleaf clovers.
clovers.
That's right, said the old man, able to
read the boy's thoughts. Just as your
grandfather taught you, these are good omens.
omens.
The old man opened his cape, and the boy
was struck by what he saw. The old man
wore a breastplate of heavy gold covered
with precious stones.
The boy recalled the brilliance he had
noticed on the previous day. "He really
was a king. He must be disguised to
avoid encounters with thieves."
Take these, said the old man, holding
out a white stone and a black stone that
had been embedded at the center of the breastplate.
breastplate.
They are called urim and tumim.
The black signifies yes, the white no.
When you are unable to read the omens,
they will help you to do so. Always ask
an objective question.
But if you can, try to make your own decisions.
decisions.
The treasure is at the pyramids. That
you already know. But I had to insist on
the payment of six sheep because I
helped you make the decision.
The boy put the stones in his pouch.
From then on, he would make his own decisions.
decisions.
Don't forget that everything you deal
with is only one thing and nothing else.
And don't forget the language of Omen's.
And above all, don't forget to follow
your personal legend through to its
conclusion. But before you go, I want to
tell you a little story.
A certain shopkeeper sent his son to
learn about the secret of happiness from
the wisest man in the world.
The lad wandered through the desert for
40 days and finally came upon a
beautiful castle high at top a mountain.
It was there that the wise man lived.
Rather than finding a saintly man though
our hero on entering the main room of
the castle saw a hive of activity.
Tradesmen came and went. People were
conversing in the corners. A small
orchestra was playing soft music and
there was a table covered with platters
of the most delicious food in that part
of the world. The wise man conversed
with everyone and the boy had to wait
for 2 hours before it was his turn to be
given the man's attention.
The wise man listened attentively to the
boy's explanation of why he had come,
but told him that he didn't have time
just then to explain the secret of
happiness. He suggested that the boy
look around the palace and return in 2 hours.
hours. "Meanwhile,
"Meanwhile,
I want to ask you to do something," said
the wise man, handing the boy a teaspoon
that held two drops of oil. "As you
wander around, carry this spoon with you
without allowing the oil to spill."
The boy began climbing and descending
the many stairways of the palace,
keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon.
After 2 hours, he returned to the room
where the wise man was. "Well," asked
the wise man, "did you see the Persian
tapestries that are hanging in my dining
hall. Did you see the garden that he
took the master garden of 10 years to
create? Did you notice the beautiful
parchments in my library?"
The boy was embarrassed. and confessed
that he had observed nothing. His only
concern had been not to spill the oil
that the wise man had entrusted to him.
"Then go back and observe the marvels of
my world," said the wise man. "You
cannot trust the man if you don't know
his house."
Relieved, the boy picked up the spoon
and returned to his exploration of the
palace. this time observing all the
works of art on the ceilings and the
walls. He saw the gardens, the mountains
all around him, the beauty of the
flowers and the taste with which
everything had been selected.
Upon returning to the wise man, he
related in detail everything I had seen.
"But where are the drops of oil I
entrusted to you?" asked the wise man.
Looking down at the spoon he held, the
boy saw that the oil was gone. "Well,
there is only one piece of advice I can
give you," said the wisest of wise men.
"The secret of happiness is to see all
the marvels of the world, and never to
forget the drops of oil on the spoon."
The shepherd said nothing.
He had understood the story the old king
had told him. A shepherd may like to
travel, but he should never forget about
his sheep.
The old man looked at the boy and with
his hands held together made several
strange gestures over the boy's head.
Then, taking his sheep,
At the highest point in Tarifa, there's
an old fort built by the Moors. From a
top its walls, one can catch a glimpse
of Africa.
Melchisedc, the king of Salem, sat on
the wall of the fort that afternoon, and
felt the Levant blowing in his face. The
sheep fidgeted nearby, uneasy with their
new owner, and excited by so much
change. All they wanted was food and water.
water.
MelkiseDC watched a small ship that was
plowing its way out of the port.
He would never again see the boy just as
he had never seen Abraham again after
having charged him his one-tenth fee.
That was his work.
The gods should not have desires because
they don't have personal legends.
But the king of Salem hoped desperately
that the boy would be successful.
It's too bad that he's quickly going to
forget my name, he thought. I should
have repeated it to him. Then when he
spoke about me, he would say that I am
Melkchisedc, the king of Salem.
He looked to the skies, feeling a bit
bashed, and said, "I know it's the
vanity of vanities, as you said, my
lord, but an old king sometimes has to
How strange Africa is, thought the boy.
He was sitting in a bar very much like
the other bars he had seen along the
narrow streets of Tangier.
Some men were smoking from a gigantic
pipe that they passed from one to the
other. In just a few hours he had seen
men walking hand in hand, women with
their faces covered, and priests that
climbed to the tops of towers and
chanted, and everyone about him went to
their knees and placed their foreheads
on the ground.
A practice of infidels, he said to himself.
himself.
As a child in church, he had always
looked at the image of St. Santiago
Matamoros on his white horse, his sword
unchathathed, and figures such as these
kneeling at his feet. The boy felt ill
and terribly alone.
The infidels had an evil look about them.
them.
Besides this, in the rush of his
travels, he had forgotten a detail, just
one detail which could keep him from his
treasure for a long time. Only Arabic
was spoken in this country.
The owner of the bar approached him and
the boy pointed to a drink that had been
served at the next table. It turned out
to be a bitter tea. The boy preferred wine,
wine,
but he didn't need to worry about that
right now. What he had to be concerned
about was his treasure and how he was
going to go about getting it. The sale
of his sheep had left him with enough
money in his pouch, and the boy knew
that in money there was magic. Whoever
has money is never really alone.
Before long, maybe in just a few days,
he would be at the pyramids.
An old man with a breastplate of gold
wouldn't have lied just to acquire six sheep.
sheep.
The old man had spoken about signs and
omens, and as the boy was crossing the
straight, he'd thought about omens.
Yes, the old man had known what he was
talking about. During the time the boy
had spent in the fields of Anderuzia, he
had become used to learning which path
he should take by observing the ground
and the sky. He had discovered that the
presence of a certain bird meant that a
snake was nearby and that a certain
shrub was a sign that there was water in
the area. The sheep had taught him that
if God leads the sheep so well, he will
also lead a man, he thought, and that
made him feel better. The tea seemed
less bitter. Who are you? He heard a
voice ask him in Spanish.
The boy was relieved. He was thinking
about Omens, and someone had appeared.
"How come you speak Spanish?" he asked.
The new arrival was a young man in
western dress, but the color of his skin
suggested he was from this city. He was
about the same age and height as the
boy. "Almost everyone here speaks
Spanish. We're only 2 hours from Spain."
"Sit down. Let me treat you to
something," said the boy. "And ask for a
glass of wine for me. I hate this tea."
"There is no wine in this country," the
young man said. "The religion here
forbids it."
The boy told him that he needed to get
to the pyramids. He almost began to tell
about his treasure, but decided not to
do so. If he did, it was possible that
the Arab will want a part of it as
payment for taking him there. He
remembered what the old man had said
about offering something you didn't even
have yet.
I'd like you to take me there if you
can. I can pay you to serve as my guide.
Do you have any idea how to get there?
The newcomer asked.
The boy noticed that the owner of the
bar stood nearby, listening attentively
to their conversation. He felt uneasy at
the man's presence, but he had found a
guide, and didn't want to miss out on an
opportunity. "You have to cross the
entire Sahara Desert," said the young
man. "And to do that, you need money."
"I need to know whether you have enough."
enough."
The boy thought it was a strange
question, but he trusted in the old man
who had said that when you really want
something, the universe always conspires
in your favor.
He took his money from his pouch and
showed it to the young man. The owner of
the bar came over and looked as well.
The two men exchanged some words in
Arabic, and the bar owner seemed irritated.
irritated.
"Let's get out of here," said the new
arrival. "He wants us to leave."
The boy was relieved. He got up to pay
the bill, but the owner grabbed him and
began to speak to him in an angry stream
of words. The boy was strong and wanted
to retaliate, but he was in a foreign
country. His new friend pushed the owner
aside and pulled the boy outside with
him. "He wanted your money," he said.
"Tang is not like the rest of Africa.
This is a port, and every port has its thieves."
thieves."
The boy trusted his new friend. He had
helped him out in a dangerous situation.
He took out his money and counted it.
"We could get to the pyramids by
tomorrow," said the other, taking the
money. "But I have to buy two camels."
They walked together through the narrow
streets of Tangier.
Everywhere there were stalls with items
for sale. They reached the center of a
large plaza where the market was held.
There were thousands of people there
arguing, selling, and buying. Vegetables
for sale amongst daggers and carpets
displayed alongside tobacco.
But the boy never took his eye off his
new friend. After all, he had all his
money. He thought about asking him to
give it back, but decided that that
would be unfriendly.
He knew nothing about the customs of the
strange land he was in. "I'll just watch
him," he said to himself. He knew he was
stronger than his friend.
Suddenly, there in the midst of all that
confusion, he saw the most beautiful
sword he had ever seen. The scabbard was
embossed in silver, and the handle was
black and encrusted with precious stones.
stones.
The boy promised himself that when he
returned from Egypt, he would buy that
sword. "Ask the owner of that stall how
much the sword costs," he said to his
friend. Then he realized that he'd been
distracted for a few moments looking at
the sword. His heart squeezed as if his
chest suddenly compressed it. He was
afraid to look around because he knew
what he would find. He continued to look
at the beautiful sword for a bit longer
until he summoned the courage to turn around.
around.
All around him was the market with
people coming and going, shouting and
buying, and the aroma of strange foods.
But nowhere could he find his new companion.
companion.
The boy wanted to believe that his
friend had simply become separated from
him by accident. He decided to stay
right there and await his return.
As he waited, a priest climbed to the
top of a nearby tower, and began his
chant. Everyone in the market fell to
their knees, touched their foreheads to
the ground, and took up the chant.
Then, like a colony of worker ants, they
dismantled their stalls and left.
The sun began its departure as well. The
boy watched it through its trajectory
for some time until it was hidden behind
the white houses surrounding the plaza.
He recalled that when the sun had risen
that morning, he was on another
continent, still a shepherd with 60
sheep, and looking forward to meeting
with a girl. That morning he had known
everything that was going to happen to
him as he walked through the familiar
fields. But now, as the sun began to
set, he was in a different country, a
stranger in a strange land where he
couldn't even speak the language. He was
no longer a shepherd, and he had nothing,
nothing,
not even the money, to return and start
everything over.
All this had happened between sunrise
and sunset. The boy thought he was
feeling sorry for himself and lamenting
the fact that his life could have
changed so suddenly and so drastically.
He was so ashamed that he wanted to cry.
He'd never even wept in front of his own
sheep. But the marketplace was empty and
he was far from home. So he wept. He
wept because God was unfair and because
this was the way God repaid those who
believed in their dreams.
When I had my sheep, I was happy and I
made those around me happy. People saw
me coming and welcomed me, he thought.
But now I'm sad and alone.
I'm going to become bitter and
distrustful of people because one person
betrayed me. I'm going to hate those who
have found their treasure because I
never found mine. and I'm going to hold
on to what little I have because I'm too
insignificant to conquer the world.
He opened his pouch to see what was left
of his possessions.
Maybe there was a bit left of the
sandwich he'd eaten on the ship, but all
he found was the heavy book, his jacket,
and the two stones the old man had given him.
him.
As he looked at the stones, he felt
relieved for some reason.
He had exchanged six sheep for two
precious stones that had been taken from
a gold breastplate. He could sell the
stones and buy a return ticket. But this
time, I'll be smarter," the boy thought,
removing them from the pouch so he could
put them in his pocket. This was a port
town, and the only truthful thing his
friend had told him was that port towns
are full of thieves.
Now he understood why the owner of the
bar had been so upset. He was trying to
tell him not to trust that man. I'm like
everyone else. I see the world in terms
of what I would like to see happen, not
what actually does.
He ran his fingers slowly over the
stones, sensing their temperature and
feeling their surfaces.
They were his treasure. Just handling
them made him feel better. They reminded
him of the old man.
When you want something, all the
universe conspires in helping you to
achieve it, he had said.
The boy was trying to understand the
truth of what the old man had said.
There he was in the empty marketplace
without a scent to his name, and with
not a sheep to guard through the night.
But the stones were proof that he had
met with a king, a king who knew of the
boy's past.
They're called urim and thumim and they
can help you to read the omens.
The boy put the stones back in the pouch
and decided to do an experiment.
The old man had said to ask very clear
questions and to do that the boy had to
know what he wanted. So he asked if the
old man's blessing was still with him. He took out one of the stones. It was
He took out one of the stones. It was yes. Am I going to find my treasure?" he
yes. Am I going to find my treasure?" he asked. He stuck his hand into the pouch
asked. He stuck his hand into the pouch and he felt around for one of the
and he felt around for one of the stones. As he did so, both of them
stones. As he did so, both of them pushed through a hole in the pouch and
pushed through a hole in the pouch and fell to the ground. The boy had never
fell to the ground. The boy had never even noticed that there was a hole in
even noticed that there was a hole in his pouch. He knelt down to find Uream
his pouch. He knelt down to find Uream and Tumim and put them back in the
and Tumim and put them back in the pouch. But as he saw them lying there on
pouch. But as he saw them lying there on the ground, another phrase came to his
the ground, another phrase came to his mind. "Learn to recognize omens and
mind. "Learn to recognize omens and follow them. The old king had said.
follow them. The old king had said. An omen. The boy smiled to himself.
An omen. The boy smiled to himself. He picked up the two stones and put them
He picked up the two stones and put them back in his pouch. He didn't consider
back in his pouch. He didn't consider mending the hole. The stones could fall
mending the hole. The stones could fall through anytime they wanted. He had
through anytime they wanted. He had learned that there were certain things
learned that there were certain things one shouldn't ask about, so as not to
one shouldn't ask about, so as not to flee from one's own personal legend.
flee from one's own personal legend. I promised that I would make my own
I promised that I would make my own decisions, he said to himself.
decisions, he said to himself. But the stones had told him that the old
But the stones had told him that the old man was still with him, and that made
man was still with him, and that made him feel more confident. He looked
him feel more confident. He looked around at the empty plaza again, feeling
around at the empty plaza again, feeling less desperate than before.
less desperate than before. This wasn't a strange place. It was a
This wasn't a strange place. It was a new one.
new one. After all, what he had always wanted was
After all, what he had always wanted was just that, to know new places.
just that, to know new places. Even if he never got to the pyramids,
Even if he never got to the pyramids, he'd already traveled farther than any
he'd already traveled farther than any shepherd he knew.
shepherd he knew. Oh, if only they knew how different
Oh, if only they knew how different things are, just 2 hours by ship from
things are, just 2 hours by ship from where they are, he thought. Although his
where they are, he thought. Although his new world at the moment was just an
new world at the moment was just an empty marketplace, he had already seen
empty marketplace, he had already seen it when it was teeming with life, and he
it when it was teeming with life, and he would never forget it. He remembered the
would never forget it. He remembered the sword, it hurt him a bit to think about
sword, it hurt him a bit to think about it, but he'd never seen one like it
it, but he'd never seen one like it before.
before. As he mused about these things, he
As he mused about these things, he realized that he had to choose between
realized that he had to choose between thinking of himself as the poor victim
thinking of himself as the poor victim of a thief and as an adventurer in quest
of a thief and as an adventurer in quest of his treasure.
of his treasure. "I'm an adventurer looking for
"I'm an adventurer looking for treasure," he said to himself.
He was shaken into wakefulness by someone. He'd fallen asleep in the
someone. He'd fallen asleep in the middle of the marketplace, and life in
middle of the marketplace, and life in the plaza was about to resume.
the plaza was about to resume. Looking around, he sought his sheep and
Looking around, he sought his sheep and then realized that he was in a new
then realized that he was in a new world. But instead of being saddened, he
world. But instead of being saddened, he was happy. He no longer had to seek out
was happy. He no longer had to seek out food and water for the sheep. He could
food and water for the sheep. He could go in search of his treasure instead. He
go in search of his treasure instead. He had not a scent in his pocket, but he
had not a scent in his pocket, but he had faith. He had decided the night
had faith. He had decided the night before that he would be as much an
before that he would be as much an adventurer as the ones he had admired in
adventurer as the ones he had admired in books.
books. He walked slowly through the
He walked slowly through the marketplace. The merchants were
marketplace. The merchants were assembling their stalls, and the boy
assembling their stalls, and the boy helped a candy seller to do his. The
helped a candy seller to do his. The candy seller had a smile on his face. He
candy seller had a smile on his face. He was happy, aware of what his life was
was happy, aware of what his life was about, and ready to begin a day's work.
about, and ready to begin a day's work. His smile reminded the boy of the old
His smile reminded the boy of the old man, the mysterious old king he had met.
man, the mysterious old king he had met. "This candy merchant isn't making candy
"This candy merchant isn't making candy so that later he can travel or marry a
so that later he can travel or marry a shopkeeper's daughter. He's doing it
shopkeeper's daughter. He's doing it because it's what he wants to do,"
because it's what he wants to do," thought the boy. He realized that he
thought the boy. He realized that he could do the same thing the old man had
could do the same thing the old man had done. Sense whether a person was near to
done. Sense whether a person was near to or far from his personal legend just by
or far from his personal legend just by looking at them. It's easy, and yet I've
looking at them. It's easy, and yet I've never done it before, he thought.
never done it before, he thought. When the stall was assembled, the candy
When the stall was assembled, the candy seller offered the boy the first sweet
seller offered the boy the first sweet he had made for the day. The boy thanked
he had made for the day. The boy thanked him, ate it, and went on his way. When
him, ate it, and went on his way. When he'd gone only a short distance, he
he'd gone only a short distance, he realized that while they were erecting
realized that while they were erecting the stall, one of them had spoken Arabic
the stall, one of them had spoken Arabic and the other Spanish, and they had
and the other Spanish, and they had understood each other perfectly well.
understood each other perfectly well. "There must be a language that doesn't
"There must be a language that doesn't depend on words," the boy thought. "I've
depend on words," the boy thought. "I've already had that experience with my
already had that experience with my sheep, and now it's happening with
sheep, and now it's happening with people."
people." He was learning a lot of new things.
He was learning a lot of new things. Some of them were things that he had
Some of them were things that he had already experienced and weren't really
already experienced and weren't really new, but that he had never perceived
new, but that he had never perceived before, and he hadn't perceived them
before, and he hadn't perceived them because he had become accustomed to
because he had become accustomed to them. He realized, "If I can learn to
them. He realized, "If I can learn to understand this language without words,
understand this language without words, I can learn to understand the world."
I can learn to understand the world." Relaxed and unhurried, he resolved that
Relaxed and unhurried, he resolved that he would walk through the narrow streets
he would walk through the narrow streets of Tangier.
of Tangier. Only in that way would he be able to
Only in that way would he be able to read the omens. He knew it would require
read the omens. He knew it would require a lot of patience, but shepherds know
a lot of patience, but shepherds know all about patience.
all about patience. Once again, he saw that in that strange
Once again, he saw that in that strange land he was applying the same lessons he
land he was applying the same lessons he had learned with his sheep.
had learned with his sheep. All things are one, the old man had
All things are one, the old man had said.
The crystal merchant awoke with the day and felt the same anxiety that he felt
and felt the same anxiety that he felt every morning. He had been in the same
every morning. He had been in the same place for 30 years. a shop at the top of
place for 30 years. a shop at the top of a hilly street where few customers
a hilly street where few customers passed. Now it was too late to change
passed. Now it was too late to change anything. The only thing he had ever
anything. The only thing he had ever learned to do was to buy and sell
learned to do was to buy and sell crystal glassware. There had been a time
crystal glassware. There had been a time when many people knew of his shop, Arab
when many people knew of his shop, Arab merchants, French and English
merchants, French and English geologists, German soldiers who were
geologists, German soldiers who were always well healed. In those days it had
always well healed. In those days it had been wonderful to be selling Crystal,
been wonderful to be selling Crystal, and he had thought how he would become
and he had thought how he would become rich and have beautiful women at his
rich and have beautiful women at his side as he grew older.
side as he grew older. But as time passed, Tangier had changed.
But as time passed, Tangier had changed. The nearby city of Suta had grown faster
The nearby city of Suta had grown faster than Tangier, and business had fallen
than Tangier, and business had fallen off. Neighbors moved away, and there
off. Neighbors moved away, and there remained only a few small shops on the
remained only a few small shops on the hill, and no one was going to climb the
hill, and no one was going to climb the hill just to browse through a few small
hill just to browse through a few small shops.
shops. But the crystal merchant had no choice.
But the crystal merchant had no choice. He had lived 30 years of his life buying
He had lived 30 years of his life buying and selling crystal pieces, and now it
and selling crystal pieces, and now it was too late to do anything else.
was too late to do anything else. He spent the entire morning observing
He spent the entire morning observing the infrequent comingings and goings in
the infrequent comingings and goings in the street. He had done this for years,
the street. He had done this for years, and knew the schedule of everyone who
and knew the schedule of everyone who passed. But just before lunchtime, a boy
passed. But just before lunchtime, a boy stopped in front of the shop. He was
stopped in front of the shop. He was dressed normally, but the practiced eye
dressed normally, but the practiced eye of the crystal merchant could see that
of the crystal merchant could see that the boy had no money to spend.
the boy had no money to spend. Nevertheless, the merchant decided to
Nevertheless, the merchant decided to delay his lunch for a few minutes until
delay his lunch for a few minutes until the boy moved on.
A card hanging in the doorway announced that several languages were spoken in
that several languages were spoken in the shop. The boy saw a man appear
the shop. The boy saw a man appear behind the counter. "I can clean up
behind the counter. "I can clean up those glasses in the window if you
those glasses in the window if you want," said the boy. the way they look
want," said the boy. the way they look now, no one's going to want to buy
now, no one's going to want to buy them." The man looked at him without
them." The man looked at him without responding. In exchange, you could give
responding. In exchange, you could give me something to eat."
me something to eat." The man still said nothing, and the boy
The man still said nothing, and the boy sensed that he was going to have to make
sensed that he was going to have to make a decision. In his pouch, he had his
a decision. In his pouch, he had his jacket. He certainly wasn't going to
jacket. He certainly wasn't going to need it in the desert. Taking the jacket
need it in the desert. Taking the jacket out, he began to clean the glasses. In
out, he began to clean the glasses. In half an hour he had cleaned all the
half an hour he had cleaned all the glasses in the window, and as he was
glasses in the window, and as he was doing so, two customers had entered the
doing so, two customers had entered the shop and bought some crystal.
shop and bought some crystal. When he had completed the cleaning, he
When he had completed the cleaning, he asked the man for something to eat.
asked the man for something to eat. "Let's go and have some lunch," said the
"Let's go and have some lunch," said the crystal merchant.
crystal merchant. He put a sign on the door, and they went
He put a sign on the door, and they went to a small cafe nearby. As they sat down
to a small cafe nearby. As they sat down at the only table in the place, the
at the only table in the place, the crystal merchant laughed. You didn't
crystal merchant laughed. You didn't have to do any cleaning, he said. The
have to do any cleaning, he said. The Quran requires me to feed a hungry
Quran requires me to feed a hungry person. Well, then why did you let me do
person. Well, then why did you let me do it? The boy asked. Because the crystal
it? The boy asked. Because the crystal was dirty, and both you and I needed to
was dirty, and both you and I needed to cleanse our minds of negative thoughts.
cleanse our minds of negative thoughts. When they had eaten, the merchant turned
When they had eaten, the merchant turned to the boy and said, "I'd like you to
to the boy and said, "I'd like you to work in my shop. Two customers came in
work in my shop. Two customers came in today while you were working, and that's
today while you were working, and that's a good omen."
a good omen." People talk a lot about omens, thought
People talk a lot about omens, thought the shepherd, but they really don't know
the shepherd, but they really don't know what they're saying. Just as I hadn't
what they're saying. Just as I hadn't realized that, for so many years I'd
realized that, for so many years I'd been speaking a language without words
been speaking a language without words to my sheep. Do you want to go to work
to my sheep. Do you want to go to work for me? The merchant asked. I can work
for me? The merchant asked. I can work for the rest of today, the boy answered.
for the rest of today, the boy answered. I'll work all night until dawn, and I'll
I'll work all night until dawn, and I'll clean every piece of crystal in your
clean every piece of crystal in your shop. In return, I need money to get to
shop. In return, I need money to get to Egypt tomorrow. The merchant laughed.
Egypt tomorrow. The merchant laughed. Even if you clean my crystal for an
Even if you clean my crystal for an entire year, even if you earned a good
entire year, even if you earned a good commission selling every piece, you
commission selling every piece, you would still have to borrow money to get
would still have to borrow money to get to Egypt. There are thousands of
to Egypt. There are thousands of kilometers of desert between here and
kilometers of desert between here and there.
there. There was a moment of silence so
There was a moment of silence so profound that it seemed the city was
profound that it seemed the city was asleep. No sound from the bazaars, no
asleep. No sound from the bazaars, no arguments among the merchants, no men
arguments among the merchants, no men climbing to the towers to chant, no
climbing to the towers to chant, no hope, no adventure, no old kings or
hope, no adventure, no old kings or personal legends, no treasure, and no
personal legends, no treasure, and no pyramids.
pyramids. It was as if the world had fallen silent
It was as if the world had fallen silent because the boy's soul had. He sat there
because the boy's soul had. He sat there staring blankly through the door of the
staring blankly through the door of the cafe, wishing that he had died and that
cafe, wishing that he had died and that everything would end forever at that
everything would end forever at that moment.
moment. The merchant looked anxiously at the
The merchant looked anxiously at the boy. All the joy he had seen that
boy. All the joy he had seen that morning had suddenly disappeared. "I can
morning had suddenly disappeared. "I can give you the money you need to get back
give you the money you need to get back to your country, my son," said the
to your country, my son," said the crystal merchant.
crystal merchant. The boy said nothing. He got up,
The boy said nothing. He got up, adjusted his clothing, and picked up his
adjusted his clothing, and picked up his pouch. "I'll work for you," he said.
pouch. "I'll work for you," he said. And after another long silence, he
And after another long silence, he added, "I need money to buy some sheep."
The boy had been working for the crystal merchant for almost a month, and he
merchant for almost a month, and he could see that it wasn't exactly the
could see that it wasn't exactly the kind of job that would make him happy.
kind of job that would make him happy. The merchant spent the entire day
The merchant spent the entire day mumbling behind the counter, telling the
mumbling behind the counter, telling the boy to be careful with the pieces and
boy to be careful with the pieces and not to break anything. But he stayed
not to break anything. But he stayed with the job because the merchant,
with the job because the merchant, although he was an old grouch, treated
although he was an old grouch, treated him fairly. The boy received a good
him fairly. The boy received a good commission for each piece he sold, and
commission for each piece he sold, and had already been able to put some money
had already been able to put some money aside. That morning he had done some
aside. That morning he had done some calculating. If he continued to work
calculating. If he continued to work every day, as he had been, he would need
every day, as he had been, he would need a whole year to be able to buy some
a whole year to be able to buy some sheep.
sheep. I'd like to build a display case for the
I'd like to build a display case for the crystal, the boy said to the merchant.
crystal, the boy said to the merchant. We could place it outside and attract
We could place it outside and attract those people who pass at the bottom of
those people who pass at the bottom of the hill. Oh, I've never had one before,
the hill. Oh, I've never had one before, the merchant answered. People will pass
the merchant answered. People will pass by and bump into it, and pieces will be
by and bump into it, and pieces will be broken. Well, when I took my sheep
broken. Well, when I took my sheep through the fields, some of them might
through the fields, some of them might have died if we had come upon a snake,
have died if we had come upon a snake, but that's the way life is with sheep
but that's the way life is with sheep and with shepherds.
and with shepherds. The merchant turned to a customer who
The merchant turned to a customer who wanted three crystal glasses. He was
wanted three crystal glasses. He was selling better than ever, as if time had
selling better than ever, as if time had turned back to the old days when the
turned back to the old days when the street had been one of Tangier's major
street had been one of Tangier's major attractions. "Business has really
attractions. "Business has really improved," he said to the boy after the
improved," he said to the boy after the customer had left. "I'm doing much
customer had left. "I'm doing much better, and soon you'll be able to
better, and soon you'll be able to return to your sheep. Why ask more out
return to your sheep. Why ask more out of life?" "Because we have to respond to
of life?" "Because we have to respond to Omens," the boy said, almost without
Omens," the boy said, almost without meaning to. Then he regretted what he
meaning to. Then he regretted what he had said because the merchant had never
had said because the merchant had never met the king. "It's called the principle
met the king. "It's called the principle of favorability, beginner's luck,
of favorability, beginner's luck, because life wants you to achieve your
because life wants you to achieve your personal legend," the old king had said.
personal legend," the old king had said. But the merchant understood what the boy
But the merchant understood what the boy had said. The boy's very presence in the
had said. The boy's very presence in the shop was an omen, and as time passed and
shop was an omen, and as time passed and money was pouring into the cash drawer,
money was pouring into the cash drawer, he had no regrets about having hired the
he had no regrets about having hired the boy. The boy was being paid more money
boy. The boy was being paid more money than he deserved because the merchant,
than he deserved because the merchant, thinking that sales wouldn't amount to
thinking that sales wouldn't amount to much, had offered the boy a high
much, had offered the boy a high commission rate. He had assumed he would
commission rate. He had assumed he would soon return to his sheep. "Why did you
soon return to his sheep. "Why did you want to get to the pyramids?" he asked,
want to get to the pyramids?" he asked, to get away from the business of the
to get away from the business of the display. "Because I've always heard
display. "Because I've always heard about them," the boy answered, saying
about them," the boy answered, saying nothing about his dream. "The treasure
nothing about his dream. "The treasure was now nothing but a painful memory,
was now nothing but a painful memory, and he tried to avoid thinking about it.
and he tried to avoid thinking about it. I don't know anyone here who would want
I don't know anyone here who would want to cross the desert just to see the
to cross the desert just to see the pyramids, said the merchant. They're
pyramids, said the merchant. They're just a pile of stones. You could build
just a pile of stones. You could build one in your own backyard.
one in your own backyard. You've never had dreams of travel, said
You've never had dreams of travel, said the boy, turning to wait on a customer
the boy, turning to wait on a customer who had entered the shop.
who had entered the shop. Two days later, the merchant spoke to
Two days later, the merchant spoke to the boy about the display.
the boy about the display. "I don't much like change," he said.
"I don't much like change," he said. "You and I aren't like Hassan, that rich
"You and I aren't like Hassan, that rich merchant. If he makes a buying mistake,
merchant. If he makes a buying mistake, it doesn't affect him much. But we too
it doesn't affect him much. But we too have to live with our mistakes.
have to live with our mistakes. That's true enough, the boy thought
That's true enough, the boy thought rofully.
rofully. Why did you think we should have a
Why did you think we should have a display? I want to get back to my sheep
display? I want to get back to my sheep faster. We have to take advantage when
faster. We have to take advantage when luck is on our side and do as much to
luck is on our side and do as much to help it as it's doing to help us. It's
help it as it's doing to help us. It's called the principle of favorability or
called the principle of favorability or beginner's luck.
beginner's luck. The merchant was silent for a few
The merchant was silent for a few moments. Then he said, "The prophet gave
moments. Then he said, "The prophet gave us the Quran and left us just five
us the Quran and left us just five obligations to satisfy during our lives.
obligations to satisfy during our lives. The most important is to believe only in
The most important is to believe only in the one true God. The others are to pray
the one true God. The others are to pray five times a day, fast during Ramadan,
five times a day, fast during Ramadan, and be charitable to the poor."
and be charitable to the poor." He stopped there. His eyes filled with
He stopped there. His eyes filled with tears as he spoke of the prophet. He was
tears as he spoke of the prophet. He was a devout man and even with all his
a devout man and even with all his impatience he wanted to live his life in
impatience he wanted to live his life in accordance with Muslim law. What's the
accordance with Muslim law. What's the fifth obligation? The boy asked. Two
fifth obligation? The boy asked. Two days ago you said that I had never
days ago you said that I had never dreamed of travel. The merchant
dreamed of travel. The merchant answered. The fifth obligation of every
answered. The fifth obligation of every Muslim is a pilgrimage. We are obliged
Muslim is a pilgrimage. We are obliged at least once in our lives to visit the
at least once in our lives to visit the holy city of Mecca. Mecca is a lot
holy city of Mecca. Mecca is a lot further away than the pyramids. When I
further away than the pyramids. When I was young, all I wanted to do was to put
was young, all I wanted to do was to put together enough money to start this
together enough money to start this shop. I thought that someday I'd be rich
shop. I thought that someday I'd be rich and could go to Mecca. I began to make
and could go to Mecca. I began to make some money, but I could never bring
some money, but I could never bring myself to leave someone in charge of the
myself to leave someone in charge of the shop. The crystals are delicate things.
shop. The crystals are delicate things. At the same time, people were passing my
At the same time, people were passing my shop all the time heading for Mecca.
shop all the time heading for Mecca. Some of them were rich pilgrims,
Some of them were rich pilgrims, traveling in caravans with servants and
traveling in caravans with servants and camels, but most of the people making
camels, but most of the people making the pilgrimage were poorer than I. All
the pilgrimage were poorer than I. All who went there were happy at having done
who went there were happy at having done so. They placed the symbols of the
so. They placed the symbols of the pilgrimage on the doors of their houses.
pilgrimage on the doors of their houses. One of them, a cobbler who made his
One of them, a cobbler who made his living mending boots, said that he had
living mending boots, said that he had traveled almost a year through the
traveled almost a year through the desert, but that he got more tired when
desert, but that he got more tired when he had to walk through the streets of
he had to walk through the streets of Tangier buying his leather. Well, why
Tangier buying his leather. Well, why don't you go to Mecca now?" asked the
don't you go to Mecca now?" asked the boy. "Because it's the thought of Mecca
boy. "Because it's the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That's what helps
that keeps me alive. That's what helps me face these days that are all the
me face these days that are all the same. These mute crystals on the shelves
same. These mute crystals on the shelves and lunch and dinner at that same
and lunch and dinner at that same horrible cafe. I'm afraid that if my
horrible cafe. I'm afraid that if my dream is realized, I'll have no reason
dream is realized, I'll have no reason to go on living.
to go on living. You dream about your sheep and the
You dream about your sheep and the pyramids, but you're different from me
pyramids, but you're different from me because you want to realize your dreams.
because you want to realize your dreams. I just want to dream about Mecca. I've
I just want to dream about Mecca. I've already imagined a thousand times
already imagined a thousand times crossing the desert, arriving at the
crossing the desert, arriving at the plaza of the sacred stone, the seven
plaza of the sacred stone, the seven times I walk around it before allowing
times I walk around it before allowing myself to touch it. I've already
myself to touch it. I've already imagined the people who would be at my
imagined the people who would be at my side and those in front of me and the
side and those in front of me and the conversations and prayers we would
conversations and prayers we would share, but I'm afraid that it would all
share, but I'm afraid that it would all be a disappointment.
be a disappointment. So I prefer just to dream about it.
So I prefer just to dream about it. That day the merchant gave the boy
That day the merchant gave the boy permission to build the display.
permission to build the display. Not everyone could see his dreams come
Not everyone could see his dreams come true in the same way.
Two more months passed and the shelf brought many customers into the crystal
brought many customers into the crystal shop. The boy estimated that if he
shop. The boy estimated that if he worked for six more months, he could
worked for six more months, he could return to Spain and buy 60 sheep and yet
return to Spain and buy 60 sheep and yet another 60. In less than a year, he
another 60. In less than a year, he would have doubled his flock, and he
would have doubled his flock, and he would be able to do business with the
would be able to do business with the Arabs, because he was now able to speak
Arabs, because he was now able to speak their strange language. Since that
their strange language. Since that morning in the marketplace, he had never
morning in the marketplace, he had never again made use of Yurim and Thumim,
again made use of Yurim and Thumim, because Egypt was now just as distant a
because Egypt was now just as distant a dream for him as was Mecca for the
dream for him as was Mecca for the merchant. Anyway, the boy had become
merchant. Anyway, the boy had become happy in his work, and thought all the
happy in his work, and thought all the time about the day when he would
time about the day when he would disembark at Tarifa as a winner.
disembark at Tarifa as a winner. You must always know what it is that you
You must always know what it is that you want, the old king had said. The boy
want, the old king had said. The boy knew and was now working toward it.
knew and was now working toward it. Maybe it was his treasure to have wound
Maybe it was his treasure to have wound up in that strange land, met up with a
up in that strange land, met up with a thief, and doubled the size of his flock
thief, and doubled the size of his flock without spending a scent.
without spending a scent. He was proud of himself. He'd learned
He was proud of himself. He'd learned some important things, like how to deal
some important things, like how to deal in crystal, and about the language
in crystal, and about the language without words, and about omens.
without words, and about omens. One afternoon he'd seen a man at the top
One afternoon he'd seen a man at the top of the hill complaining that it was
of the hill complaining that it was impossible to find a decent place to get
impossible to find a decent place to get something to drink after such a climb.
something to drink after such a climb. The boy, accustomed to recognizing
The boy, accustomed to recognizing omens, spoke to the merchant. Let's sell
omens, spoke to the merchant. Let's sell tea to the people who climb the hill.
tea to the people who climb the hill. No, lots of places sell tea around here,
No, lots of places sell tea around here, the merchant said. But we could sell tea
the merchant said. But we could sell tea in crystal glasses. The people will
in crystal glasses. The people will enjoy the tea and want to buy the
enjoy the tea and want to buy the glasses.
glasses. I've been told that beauty is the great
I've been told that beauty is the great seducer of men.
seducer of men. The merchant didn't respond, but that
The merchant didn't respond, but that afternoon, after saying his prayers and
afternoon, after saying his prayers and closing the shop, he invited the boy to
closing the shop, he invited the boy to sit with him and share his hooker, that
sit with him and share his hooker, that strange pipe used by the Arabs. "What is
strange pipe used by the Arabs. "What is it that you're looking for?" asked the
it that you're looking for?" asked the old merchant. "I've already told you I
old merchant. "I've already told you I need to buy my sheep back, so I have to
need to buy my sheep back, so I have to earn the money to do so."
earn the money to do so." The merchant put some new coals in the
The merchant put some new coals in the hooker and inhaled deeply. I've had this
hooker and inhaled deeply. I've had this shop for 30 years. I know good crystal
shop for 30 years. I know good crystal from bad and everything else there is to
from bad and everything else there is to know about crystal. I know its
know about crystal. I know its dimensions and how it behaves. If we
dimensions and how it behaves. If we sell tea in crystal, the shop is going
sell tea in crystal, the shop is going to expand.
to expand. And then I'll have to change my way of
And then I'll have to change my way of life. Well, isn't that good? M. I'm
life. Well, isn't that good? M. I'm already used to the way things are.
already used to the way things are. Before you came, I was thinking about
Before you came, I was thinking about how much time I'd wasted in the same
how much time I'd wasted in the same place while my friends had moved on and
place while my friends had moved on and either went bankrupt or did better than
either went bankrupt or did better than they had before. It made me very
they had before. It made me very depressed.
depressed. Now I can see that it hasn't been too
Now I can see that it hasn't been too bad.
bad. The shop is exactly the size I always
The shop is exactly the size I always wanted it to be. You know, I don't want
wanted it to be. You know, I don't want to change anything cuz I don't know how
to change anything cuz I don't know how to deal with change. You see, I'm used
to deal with change. You see, I'm used to the way I am.
to the way I am. The boy didn't know what to say. The old
The boy didn't know what to say. The old man continued, "You've been a real
man continued, "You've been a real blessing to me. Today, I understand
blessing to me. Today, I understand something I didn't see before. Every
something I didn't see before. Every blessing ignored becomes a curse. I
blessing ignored becomes a curse. I don't want anything else in life. But
don't want anything else in life. But you are forcing me to look at wealth and
you are forcing me to look at wealth and at horizons I've never known. Now that
at horizons I've never known. Now that I've seen them, and now that I see how
I've seen them, and now that I see how immense my possibilities are, I'm going
immense my possibilities are, I'm going to feel worse than I did before you
to feel worse than I did before you arrived.
arrived. because I know the things I should be
because I know the things I should be able to accomplish and I don't want to
able to accomplish and I don't want to do so.
do so. It's good I refrain from saying anything
It's good I refrain from saying anything to the baker and Tarifa, thought the boy
to the baker and Tarifa, thought the boy to himself.
to himself. They went on smoking the pipe for a
They went on smoking the pipe for a while as the sun began to set. They were
while as the sun began to set. They were conversing in Arabic, and the boy was
conversing in Arabic, and the boy was proud of himself for being able to do
proud of himself for being able to do so. There had been a time when he
so. There had been a time when he thought that his sheep could teach him
thought that his sheep could teach him everything he needed to know about the
everything he needed to know about the world, but they could never have taught
world, but they could never have taught him Arabic.
him Arabic. "There are probably other things in the
"There are probably other things in the world the sheep can't teach me," thought
world the sheep can't teach me," thought the boy as he regarded the old merchant.
the boy as he regarded the old merchant. "All they ever do really is look for
"All they ever do really is look for food and water, and maybe it wasn't that
food and water, and maybe it wasn't that they were teaching me, but that I was
they were teaching me, but that I was learning from them." "Mub," the merchant
learning from them." "Mub," the merchant said finally. "What does that mean?" You
said finally. "What does that mean?" You would have had to have been born an Arab
would have had to have been born an Arab to understand, he answered. But in your
to understand, he answered. But in your language, it would be something like, it
language, it would be something like, it is written.
is written. And as he smothered the coals in the
And as he smothered the coals in the hooker, he told the boy that he could
hooker, he told the boy that he could begin to sell tea in the crystal
begin to sell tea in the crystal glasses.
glasses. Sometimes there's just no way to hold
Sometimes there's just no way to hold back the river.
The men climbed the hill, and they were tired when they reached the top. But
tired when they reached the top. But there they saw a crystal shop that
there they saw a crystal shop that offered refreshing mint tea. They went
offered refreshing mint tea. They went in to drink the tea which was served in
in to drink the tea which was served in beautiful crystal glasses. "My wife
beautiful crystal glasses. "My wife never thought of this," said one, "and
never thought of this," said one, "and he bought some crystal. He was
he bought some crystal. He was entertaining guests that night, and the
entertaining guests that night, and the guests will be impressed by the beauty
guests will be impressed by the beauty of the glassear." The other man remarked
of the glassear." The other man remarked that tea was always more delicious when
that tea was always more delicious when it was served in crystal because the
it was served in crystal because the aroma was retained. The third said that
aroma was retained. The third said that it was a tradition in the Orient to use
it was a tradition in the Orient to use crystal glasses for tea because it had
crystal glasses for tea because it had magical powers.
magical powers. Before long, the news spread, and a
Before long, the news spread, and a great many people began to climb the
great many people began to climb the hill to see the shop that was doing
hill to see the shop that was doing something new in a trade that was so
something new in a trade that was so old. Other shops were opened that served
old. Other shops were opened that served tea and crystal, but they weren't at the
tea and crystal, but they weren't at the top of a hill, and they had little
top of a hill, and they had little business.
business. Eventually, the merchant had to hire two
Eventually, the merchant had to hire two more employees.
more employees. He began to import enormous quantities
He began to import enormous quantities of tea along with his crystal, and his
of tea along with his crystal, and his shop was sought out by men and women
shop was sought out by men and women with a thirst for things new.
with a thirst for things new. And in that way, the months passed.
The boy awoke before dawn. It had been 11 months and 9 days since he had first
11 months and 9 days since he had first set foot on the African continent.
set foot on the African continent. He dressed in his Arabian clothing of
He dressed in his Arabian clothing of white linen, bought especially for this
white linen, bought especially for this day. He put his headcloth in place and
day. He put his headcloth in place and secured it with a ring made of camel
secured it with a ring made of camel skin. Wearing his new sandals, he
skin. Wearing his new sandals, he descended the stairs silently.
descended the stairs silently. The city was still sleeping. He prepared
The city was still sleeping. He prepared himself a sandwich and drank some hot
himself a sandwich and drank some hot tea from a crystal glass. Then he sat in
tea from a crystal glass. Then he sat in the sun-filled doorway, smoking the
the sun-filled doorway, smoking the hooker.
hooker. He smoked in silence, thinking of
He smoked in silence, thinking of nothing and listening to the sound of
nothing and listening to the sound of the wind that brought the scent of the
the wind that brought the scent of the desert. When he had finished his smoke,
desert. When he had finished his smoke, he reached into one of his pockets and
he reached into one of his pockets and sat there for a few moments regarding
sat there for a few moments regarding what he had withdrawn.
what he had withdrawn. It was a bundle of money,
It was a bundle of money, enough to buy himself 120 sheep, a
enough to buy himself 120 sheep, a return ticket, and a license to import
return ticket, and a license to import products from Africa into his own
products from Africa into his own country.
country. He waited patiently for the merchant to
He waited patiently for the merchant to awaken and open the shop. Then the two
awaken and open the shop. Then the two went off to have some more tea. "I'm
went off to have some more tea. "I'm leaving today," said the boy. "I have
leaving today," said the boy. "I have the money I need to buy my sheep, and
the money I need to buy my sheep, and you have the money you need to go to
you have the money you need to go to Mecca." The old man said nothing. "Will
Mecca." The old man said nothing. "Will you give me your blessing?" asked the
you give me your blessing?" asked the boy. "You have helped me." The man
boy. "You have helped me." The man continued to prepare his tea, saying
continued to prepare his tea, saying nothing. Then he turned to the boy. "I'm
nothing. Then he turned to the boy. "I'm proud of you," he said. "You brought a
proud of you," he said. "You brought a new feeling into my crystal shop." "But
new feeling into my crystal shop." "But you know that I'm not going to Mecca."
you know that I'm not going to Mecca." "Just as you know that you're not going
"Just as you know that you're not going to buy your sheep." "Who told you that?"
to buy your sheep." "Who told you that?" asked the boy, startled. Mub
asked the boy, startled. Mub said the old crystal merchant
said the old crystal merchant and he gave the boy his blessing.
The boy went to his room and packed his belongings. They filled three sacks.
belongings. They filled three sacks. As he was leaving, he saw in the corner
As he was leaving, he saw in the corner of the room his old shepherd's pouch. It
of the room his old shepherd's pouch. It was bunched up, and he'd hardly thought
was bunched up, and he'd hardly thought of it for a long time. As he took his
of it for a long time. As he took his jacket out of the pouch, thinking to
jacket out of the pouch, thinking to give it to someone in the street, the
give it to someone in the street, the two stones fell to the floor, ur and
two stones fell to the floor, ur and thumim.
thumim. It made the boy think of the old king,
It made the boy think of the old king, and it startled him to realize how long
and it startled him to realize how long it had been since he had thought of him.
it had been since he had thought of him. For nearly a year he'd been working
For nearly a year he'd been working incessantly, thinking only of putting
incessantly, thinking only of putting aside enough money so that he could
aside enough money so that he could return to Spain with pride.
return to Spain with pride. Never stop dreaming, the old king had
Never stop dreaming, the old king had said. Follow the omens.
said. Follow the omens. The boy picked up Urim and Thumim and
The boy picked up Urim and Thumim and once again had the strange sensation
once again had the strange sensation that the old king was nearby.
that the old king was nearby. He had worked hard for a year, and the
He had worked hard for a year, and the omens were that it was time to go.
omens were that it was time to go. I'm going to go back to doing just what
I'm going to go back to doing just what I did before, the boy thought. even
I did before, the boy thought. even though the sheep didn't teach me to
though the sheep didn't teach me to speak Arabic.
speak Arabic. But the sheep had taught him something
But the sheep had taught him something even more important. That there was a
even more important. That there was a language in the world that everyone
language in the world that everyone understood, a language the boy had used
understood, a language the boy had used throughout the time that he was trying
throughout the time that he was trying to improve things at the shop. It was
to improve things at the shop. It was the language of enthusiasm, of things
the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and
accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something
as part of a search for something believed in and desired.
believed in and desired. Tangier was no longer a strange city and
Tangier was no longer a strange city and he felt that just as he had conquered
he felt that just as he had conquered this place he could conquer the world.
this place he could conquer the world. When you want something all the universe
When you want something all the universe conspires to help you achieve it, the
conspires to help you achieve it, the old king had said.
old king had said. But the old king hadn't said anything
But the old king hadn't said anything about being robbed or about endless
about being robbed or about endless deserts or about people who know what
deserts or about people who know what their dreams are but they don't want to
their dreams are but they don't want to realize them. The old king hadn't told
realize them. The old king hadn't told him that the pyramids were just a pile
him that the pyramids were just a pile of stones, or that anyone could build
of stones, or that anyone could build one in his backyard, and he had
one in his backyard, and he had forgotten to mention that when you have
forgotten to mention that when you have enough money to buy a flock larger than
enough money to buy a flock larger than the one you had before, you should buy
the one you had before, you should buy it.
it. The boy picked up his pouch and put it
The boy picked up his pouch and put it with his other things. He went down the
with his other things. He went down the stairs and found the merchant waiting on
stairs and found the merchant waiting on a foreign couple, while two other
a foreign couple, while two other customers walked about the shop,
customers walked about the shop, drinking tea from crystal glasses. It
drinking tea from crystal glasses. It was more activity than usual for this
was more activity than usual for this time in the morning. From where he
time in the morning. From where he stood, he saw for the first time that
stood, he saw for the first time that the old merchant's hair was very much
the old merchant's hair was very much like the hair of the old king. He
like the hair of the old king. He remembered the smile of the candy seller
remembered the smile of the candy seller on his first day in Tangier when he had
on his first day in Tangier when he had nothing to eat and nowhere to go. That
nothing to eat and nowhere to go. That smile had also been like the old king's
smile had also been like the old king's smile.
smile. It's almost as if he had been here and
It's almost as if he had been here and left his mark, he thought. And yet none
left his mark, he thought. And yet none of these people has ever met the old
of these people has ever met the old king. On the other hand, he said that he
king. On the other hand, he said that he always appeared to help those who are
always appeared to help those who are trying to realize their personal legend.
trying to realize their personal legend. He left without saying goodbye to the
He left without saying goodbye to the crystal merchant. He didn't want to cry
crystal merchant. He didn't want to cry with the other people there. He was
with the other people there. He was going to miss the place and all the good
going to miss the place and all the good things he'd learned. He was more
things he'd learned. He was more confident in himself, though, and felt
confident in himself, though, and felt as though he could conquer the world.
as though he could conquer the world. But I'm going back to the fields that I
But I'm going back to the fields that I know to take care of my flock again. He
know to take care of my flock again. He said that to himself with certainty, but
said that to himself with certainty, but he was no longer happy with his
he was no longer happy with his decision. He had worked for an entire
decision. He had worked for an entire year to make a dream come true, and that
year to make a dream come true, and that dream, minute by minute, was becoming
dream, minute by minute, was becoming less important.
less important. Maybe because that wasn't really his
Maybe because that wasn't really his dream.
dream. Who knows? Maybe it's better to be like
Who knows? Maybe it's better to be like the crystal merchant. never go to Mecca
the crystal merchant. never go to Mecca and just go through life wanting to do
and just go through life wanting to do so, he thought again trying to convince
so, he thought again trying to convince himself.
himself. But as he held Uri and Tumim in his
But as he held Uri and Tumim in his hand, they had transmitted to him the
hand, they had transmitted to him the strength and will of the old king. By
strength and will of the old king. By coincidence, or maybe it was an omen,
coincidence, or maybe it was an omen, the boy thought he came to the bar that
the boy thought he came to the bar that he had entered on his first day there.
he had entered on his first day there. The thief wasn't there, and the owner
The thief wasn't there, and the owner brought him a cup of tea.
brought him a cup of tea. I can always go back to being a
I can always go back to being a shepherd, the boy thought. I learned how
shepherd, the boy thought. I learned how to care for sheep, and I haven't
to care for sheep, and I haven't forgotten how that's done. But maybe
forgotten how that's done. But maybe I'll never have another chance to get to
I'll never have another chance to get to the pyramids in Egypt. The old man wore
the pyramids in Egypt. The old man wore a breastplate of gold, and he knew about
a breastplate of gold, and he knew about my past. He really was a king, a wise
my past. He really was a king, a wise king.
king. The hills of Andalusia were only 2 hours
The hills of Andalusia were only 2 hours away, but there was an entire desert
away, but there was an entire desert between him and the pyramids. Yet the
between him and the pyramids. Yet the boy felt that there was another way to
boy felt that there was another way to regard his situation. He was actually 2
regard his situation. He was actually 2 hours closer to his treasure. The fact
hours closer to his treasure. The fact that the two hours had stretched into an
that the two hours had stretched into an entire year didn't matter.
entire year didn't matter. I know why I want to get back to my
I know why I want to get back to my flock, he thought. I understand, sheep.
flock, he thought. I understand, sheep. They're no longer a problem and they can
They're no longer a problem and they can be good friends. On the other hand, I
be good friends. On the other hand, I don't know if the desert can be a
don't know if the desert can be a friend, and it's in the desert that I
friend, and it's in the desert that I have to search for my treasure. If I
have to search for my treasure. If I don't find it, I can always go home. I
don't find it, I can always go home. I finally have enough money and all the
finally have enough money and all the time I need. Why not? He suddenly felt
time I need. Why not? He suddenly felt tremendously happy. He could always go
tremendously happy. He could always go back to being a shepherd. He could
back to being a shepherd. He could always become a crystal salesman again.
always become a crystal salesman again. Maybe the world had other hidden
Maybe the world had other hidden treasures, but he had a dream and he had
treasures, but he had a dream and he had met with a king. That doesn't happen to
met with a king. That doesn't happen to just anyone.
just anyone. He was planning as he left the bar. He
He was planning as he left the bar. He had remembered that one of the crystal
had remembered that one of the crystal merchants suppliers transported his
merchants suppliers transported his crystal by means of caravans that
crystal by means of caravans that crossed the desert. He held Ure and
crossed the desert. He held Ure and Thumim in his hand. Because of these two
Thumim in his hand. Because of these two stones, he was once again on the way to
stones, he was once again on the way to his treasure.
his treasure. I am always nearby when someone wants to
I am always nearby when someone wants to realize their personal legend, the old
realize their personal legend, the old king had told him.
king had told him. What could it cost to go over to the
What could it cost to go over to the suppliers warehouse and find out if the
suppliers warehouse and find out if the pyramids were really that far away?
The Englishman was sitting on a bench in a structure that smelled of animals,
a structure that smelled of animals, sweat, and dust. It was part warehouse,
sweat, and dust. It was part warehouse, part corral. I never thought I'd end up
part corral. I never thought I'd end up in a place like this, he thought as he
in a place like this, he thought as he leafed through the pages of a chemical
leafed through the pages of a chemical journal. 10 years at the university and
journal. 10 years at the university and here I am in a corral. But he had to
here I am in a corral. But he had to move on. He believed in omens. All his
move on. He believed in omens. All his life and all his studies were aimed at
life and all his studies were aimed at finding the one true language of the
finding the one true language of the universe. First he had studied
universe. First he had studied Espiranto, then the world's religions,
Espiranto, then the world's religions, and now it was alchemy. He knew how to
and now it was alchemy. He knew how to speak Espiranto. He understood all the
speak Espiranto. He understood all the major religions well, but he wasn't yet
major religions well, but he wasn't yet an alchemist.
an alchemist. He had unraveled the truths behind
He had unraveled the truths behind important questions, but his studies had
important questions, but his studies had taken him to a point beyond which he
taken him to a point beyond which he couldn't seem to go. He had tried in
couldn't seem to go. He had tried in vain to establish a relationship with an
vain to establish a relationship with an alchemist. But the alchemists were
alchemist. But the alchemists were strange people who thought only about
strange people who thought only about themselves and almost always refused to
themselves and almost always refused to help him. Who knows, maybe they had
help him. Who knows, maybe they had failed to discover the secret of the
failed to discover the secret of the masterwork, the philosopher<unk>'s
masterwork, the philosopher<unk>'s stone. and for this reason kept their
stone. and for this reason kept their knowledge to themselves.
knowledge to themselves. He had already spent much of the fortune
He had already spent much of the fortune left him by his father, fruitlessly
left him by his father, fruitlessly seeking the philosopher<unk>'s stone.
seeking the philosopher<unk>'s stone. He'd spent enormous amounts of time at
He'd spent enormous amounts of time at the great libraries of the world and had
the great libraries of the world and had purchased all the rarest and most
purchased all the rarest and most important volumes on alchemy. In one he
important volumes on alchemy. In one he had read that many years ago a famous
had read that many years ago a famous Arabian alchemist had visited Europe. It
Arabian alchemist had visited Europe. It was said that he was more than 200 years
was said that he was more than 200 years old and that he had discovered the
old and that he had discovered the philosopher's stone and the elixir of
philosopher's stone and the elixir of life.
life. The Englishman had been profoundly
The Englishman had been profoundly impressed by the story. But he would
impressed by the story. But he would never have thought it more than just a
never have thought it more than just a myth had not a friend of his returning
myth had not a friend of his returning from an archaeological expedition in the
from an archaeological expedition in the desert told him about an Arab that was
desert told him about an Arab that was possessed of exceptional powers.
possessed of exceptional powers. He lives in the Alfaum Oasis, his friend
He lives in the Alfaum Oasis, his friend had said, and people say that he's 200
had said, and people say that he's 200 years old, and is able to transform any
years old, and is able to transform any metal into gold.
metal into gold. The Englishman could not contain his
The Englishman could not contain his excitement. He canceled all his
excitement. He canceled all his commitments and pulled together the most
commitments and pulled together the most important of his books. And now here he
important of his books. And now here he was, sitting inside a dusty, smelly
was, sitting inside a dusty, smelly warehouse.
warehouse. Outside a huge caravan was being
Outside a huge caravan was being prepared for a crossing of the Sahara
prepared for a crossing of the Sahara and was scheduled to pass through Al
and was scheduled to pass through Al Faum.
Faum. I'm going to find that damned alchemist,
I'm going to find that damned alchemist, the Englishman thought, and the odor of
the Englishman thought, and the odor of the animals became a bit more tolerable.
the animals became a bit more tolerable. A young Arab, also loaded down with
A young Arab, also loaded down with baggage, entered and greeted the
baggage, entered and greeted the Englishman. "Where are you bound?" asked
Englishman. "Where are you bound?" asked the young Arab. "I'm going into the
the young Arab. "I'm going into the desert," the man answered, turning back
desert," the man answered, turning back to his reading. He didn't want any
to his reading. He didn't want any conversation at this point. What he
conversation at this point. What he needed to do was to review all he had
needed to do was to review all he had learned over the years because the
learned over the years because the alchemist would certainly put him to the
alchemist would certainly put him to the test. The young Arab took out a book and
test. The young Arab took out a book and began to read. The book was written in
began to read. The book was written in Spanish. That's good, thought the
Spanish. That's good, thought the Englishman. He spoke Spanish better than
Englishman. He spoke Spanish better than Arabic. And if this boy was going to
Arabic. And if this boy was going to Ala, there would be someone to talk to
Ala, there would be someone to talk to when there was no other important things
when there was no other important things to do.
That's strange, said the boy as he tried once again to read the burial scene that
once again to read the burial scene that began the book. I've been trying for 2
began the book. I've been trying for 2 years to read this book, and I never get
years to read this book, and I never get past these first few pages.
past these first few pages. Even without a king to provide an
Even without a king to provide an interruption, he was unable to
interruption, he was unable to concentrate.
concentrate. He still had some doubts about the
He still had some doubts about the decision he had made. But he was able to
decision he had made. But he was able to understand one thing. Making a decision
understand one thing. Making a decision was only the beginning of things.
was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is
When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that
really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never
will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the
dreamed of when he first made the decision.
decision. When I decided to seek out my treasure,
When I decided to seek out my treasure, I never imagined that I'd wind up
I never imagined that I'd wind up working in a crystal shop, he thought.
working in a crystal shop, he thought. And joining this caravan may have been
And joining this caravan may have been my decision, but where it goes is going
my decision, but where it goes is going to be a mystery to me.
to be a mystery to me. Nearby was the Englishman reading a
Nearby was the Englishman reading a book. He seemed unfriendly and had
book. He seemed unfriendly and had looked irritated when the boy had
looked irritated when the boy had entered. They might even have become
entered. They might even have become friends, but the Englishman closed off
friends, but the Englishman closed off the conversation.
the conversation. The boy closed his book. He felt he
The boy closed his book. He felt he didn't want to do anything that might
didn't want to do anything that might make him look like the Englishmen. He
make him look like the Englishmen. He took Uri and Tumim from his pocket and
took Uri and Tumim from his pocket and began playing with them. The stranger
began playing with them. The stranger shouted, "Uurim and Tsum."
shouted, "Uurim and Tsum." In a flash, the boy put them back in his
In a flash, the boy put them back in his pocket. "They're not for sale," he said.
pocket. "They're not for sale," he said. They're not worth much, the Englishman
They're not worth much, the Englishman answered. They're only made of rock
answered. They're only made of rock crystal, and there are millions of rock
crystal, and there are millions of rock crystals in the earth. But those who
crystals in the earth. But those who know about such things would know that
know about such things would know that those are a rim and thumim. I didn't
those are a rim and thumim. I didn't know they had them in this part of the
know they had them in this part of the world. They were given to me as a
world. They were given to me as a present by a king, the boy said. The
present by a king, the boy said. The stranger didn't answer. Instead, he put
stranger didn't answer. Instead, he put his hand in his pocket, took out two
his hand in his pocket, took out two stones that were the same as the boys.
stones that were the same as the boys. "Did you say king?" he asked. I guess
"Did you say king?" he asked. I guess you don't believe that a king would talk
you don't believe that a king would talk to someone like me, a shepherd, he said,
to someone like me, a shepherd, he said, wanting to end the conversation. Not at
wanting to end the conversation. Not at all. It was shepherds who were the first
all. It was shepherds who were the first to recognize a king that the rest of the
to recognize a king that the rest of the world refused to acknowledge. So, it's
world refused to acknowledge. So, it's not surprising that kings would talk to
not surprising that kings would talk to shepherds.
shepherds. And he went on fearing that the boy
And he went on fearing that the boy wouldn't understand what he was talking
wouldn't understand what he was talking about. It's in the Bible, the same book
about. It's in the Bible, the same book that taught me about Uri and Thumim.
that taught me about Uri and Thumim. These stones are the only form of
These stones are the only form of divination permitted by God. The priest
divination permitted by God. The priest carried them in a golden breastplate.
carried them in a golden breastplate. The boy was suddenly happy to be there
The boy was suddenly happy to be there at the warehouse.
at the warehouse. Maybe this is an omen, said the
Maybe this is an omen, said the Englishman half aloud. Who told you
Englishman half aloud. Who told you about omens? The boy's interest was
about omens? The boy's interest was increasing by the moment. Everything in
increasing by the moment. Everything in life is an omen, said the Englishman,
life is an omen, said the Englishman, now closing the journal he was reading.
now closing the journal he was reading. There is a universal language understood
There is a universal language understood by everybody, but already forgotten. I'm
by everybody, but already forgotten. I'm in search of that universal language,
in search of that universal language, amongst other things. That's why I'm
amongst other things. That's why I'm here. I have to find a man who knows
here. I have to find a man who knows that universal language, an alchemist.
that universal language, an alchemist. The conversation was interrupted by the
The conversation was interrupted by the warehouse boss. You're in luck. You too,
warehouse boss. You're in luck. You too, the fat Arab said. There's a caravan
the fat Arab said. There's a caravan leaving today for Alfaum.
leaving today for Alfaum. But I'm going to Egypt, the boy said.
But I'm going to Egypt, the boy said. Ala is in Egypt, said the Arab. What
Ala is in Egypt, said the Arab. What kind of Arab are you? That's a good
kind of Arab are you? That's a good luck, omen, the Englishman said after
luck, omen, the Englishman said after the fat Arab had gone out. If I could,
the fat Arab had gone out. If I could, I'd write a huge encyclopedia just about
I'd write a huge encyclopedia just about the words luck and coincidence. It's
the words luck and coincidence. It's with those words that the universal
with those words that the universal language is written. He told the boy it
language is written. He told the boy it was no coincidence that he had met him
was no coincidence that he had met him with you rim and thumim in his hand. And
with you rim and thumim in his hand. And he asked the boy if he too were in
he asked the boy if he too were in search of the alchemist.
search of the alchemist. I'm looking for a treasure, said the
I'm looking for a treasure, said the boy, and he immediately regretted having
boy, and he immediately regretted having said it, but the Englishman appeared not
said it, but the Englishman appeared not to attach any importance to it. In a
to attach any importance to it. In a way, so am I, he said. I don't even know
way, so am I, he said. I don't even know what alchemy is, the boy was saying when
what alchemy is, the boy was saying when the warehouse boss called to them to
the warehouse boss called to them to come outside.
I'm the leader of the caravan, said the dark eyed, bearded man. I hold the power
dark eyed, bearded man. I hold the power of life and death for every person I
of life and death for every person I take with me. The desert is a capricious
take with me. The desert is a capricious lady, and sometimes she drives men
lady, and sometimes she drives men crazy.
crazy. There were almost 200 people gathered
There were almost 200 people gathered there and 400 animals, camels, horses,
there and 400 animals, camels, horses, mules, and fowl. In the crowd were
mules, and fowl. In the crowd were women, children, and a number of men
women, children, and a number of men with swords at their belts and rifles
with swords at their belts and rifles slung on their shoulders. The Englishman
slung on their shoulders. The Englishman had several suitcases filled with books.
had several suitcases filled with books. There was a babble of noise, and the
There was a babble of noise, and the leader had to repeat himself several
leader had to repeat himself several times for everyone to understand what he
times for everyone to understand what he was saying.
was saying. There are a lot of different people here
There are a lot of different people here and each has his own god. But the only
and each has his own god. But the only god I serve is Allah. And in his name, I
god I serve is Allah. And in his name, I swear that I will do everything possible
swear that I will do everything possible once again to win out over the desert.
once again to win out over the desert. But I want each and every one of you to
But I want each and every one of you to swear by the god you believe in that you
swear by the god you believe in that you will follow my orders no matter what. In
will follow my orders no matter what. In the desert, disobedience means death.
the desert, disobedience means death. There was a murmur from the crowd. Each
There was a murmur from the crowd. Each was swearing quietly to his or her own
was swearing quietly to his or her own god. The boy swore to Jesus Christ. The
god. The boy swore to Jesus Christ. The Englishman said nothing, and the murmur
Englishman said nothing, and the murmur lasted longer than a simple vow would
lasted longer than a simple vow would have. The people were also praying to
have. The people were also praying to heaven for protection.
heaven for protection. A long note was sounded on a bugle, and
A long note was sounded on a bugle, and everyone mounted up. The boy and the
everyone mounted up. The boy and the Englishman had bought camels and climbed
Englishman had bought camels and climbed uncertainly onto their backs. The boy
uncertainly onto their backs. The boy felt sorry for the Englishman's camel,
felt sorry for the Englishman's camel, loaded down as he was with the cases of
loaded down as he was with the cases of books. There's no such thing as
books. There's no such thing as coincidence, said the Englishman,
coincidence, said the Englishman, picking up the conversation where it had
picking up the conversation where it had been interrupted in the warehouse. I'm
been interrupted in the warehouse. I'm here because a friend of mine heard of
here because a friend of mine heard of an Arab who But the caravan began to
an Arab who But the caravan began to move, and it was impossible to hear what
move, and it was impossible to hear what the Englishman was saying. The boy knew
the Englishman was saying. The boy knew what he was about to describe, though.
what he was about to describe, though. the mysterious chain that lings one
the mysterious chain that lings one thing to another. The same chain that
thing to another. The same chain that had caused him to become a shepherd that
had caused him to become a shepherd that had caused his recurring dream that had
had caused his recurring dream that had brought him to a city near Africa to
brought him to a city near Africa to find a king and to be robbed in order to
find a king and to be robbed in order to meet a crystal merchant. And the closer
meet a crystal merchant. And the closer one gets to realizing his personal
one gets to realizing his personal legend, the more that personal legend
legend, the more that personal legend becomes his true reason for being,
becomes his true reason for being, thought the boy.
thought the boy. The caravan moved toward the east. It
The caravan moved toward the east. It traveled during the morning, halted when
traveled during the morning, halted when the sun was at its strongest, and
the sun was at its strongest, and resumed late in the afternoon. The boy
resumed late in the afternoon. The boy spoke very little with the Englishman,
spoke very little with the Englishman, who spent most of his time with his
who spent most of his time with his books. The boy observed in silence the
books. The boy observed in silence the progress of the animals and people
progress of the animals and people across the desert. Now everything was
across the desert. Now everything was quite different from how it was that day
quite different from how it was that day they'd set out. Then there had been
they'd set out. Then there had been confusion and shouting, the cries of
confusion and shouting, the cries of children and the winning of animals, all
children and the winning of animals, all mixed with the nervous orders of the
mixed with the nervous orders of the guides and the merchants.
guides and the merchants. But in the desert there was only the
But in the desert there was only the sound of the eternal wind and of the
sound of the eternal wind and of the hoof beatats of the animals. Even the
hoof beatats of the animals. Even the guides spoke very little to one another.
guides spoke very little to one another. "I've crossed these sands many times,"
"I've crossed these sands many times," said one of the camel drivers one night.
said one of the camel drivers one night. "But the desert is so huge and the
"But the desert is so huge and the horizon so distant that they make a
horizon so distant that they make a person feel small, as if he should
person feel small, as if he should remain silent."
remain silent." The boy understood intuitively what he
The boy understood intuitively what he meant. even without ever having set foot
meant. even without ever having set foot in the desert before.
in the desert before. Whenever he saw the sea or a fire, he
Whenever he saw the sea or a fire, he fell silent, impressed by their
fell silent, impressed by their elemental force.
elemental force. I've learned things from the sheep, and
I've learned things from the sheep, and I've learned things from crystal, he
I've learned things from crystal, he thought. I can learn something from the
thought. I can learn something from the desert, too. It seems old and wise.
desert, too. It seems old and wise. The wind never stopped, and the boy
The wind never stopped, and the boy remembered the day he had sat at the
remembered the day he had sat at the fort in Tarifa with the same wind
fort in Tarifa with the same wind blowing in his face. It reminded him of
blowing in his face. It reminded him of the wool from his sheep, his sheep, who
the wool from his sheep, his sheep, who were now seeking food and water in the
were now seeking food and water in the fields of Andaluzia, as they always had.
fields of Andaluzia, as they always had. "But they're not my sheep anymore," he
"But they're not my sheep anymore," he said to himself without nostalgia. "They
said to himself without nostalgia. "They must be used to their new shepherd, and
must be used to their new shepherd, and have probably already forgotten me.
have probably already forgotten me. That's good.
That's good. Creatures like the sheep that are used
Creatures like the sheep that are used to traveling know about moving on.
to traveling know about moving on. He thought of the merchant's daughter
He thought of the merchant's daughter and was sure that she had probably
and was sure that she had probably married perhaps to a baker or to another
married perhaps to a baker or to another shepherd who could read and could tell
shepherd who could read and could tell her exciting stories. After all, he
her exciting stories. After all, he probably wasn't the only one. But he was
probably wasn't the only one. But he was excited at his intuitive understanding
excited at his intuitive understanding of the camel driver's comments. Maybe he
of the camel driver's comments. Maybe he was also learning the universal language
was also learning the universal language that deals with the past and the present
that deals with the past and the present of all people. Hunches, his mother used
of all people. Hunches, his mother used to call them. The boy was beginning to
to call them. The boy was beginning to understand that intuition is really a
understand that intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the
sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life where the
universal current of life where the histories of all people are connected
histories of all people are connected and we are able to know everything
and we are able to know everything because it's all written there.
because it's all written there. Maktub, the boy said, remembering the
Maktub, the boy said, remembering the crystal merchant.
crystal merchant. The desert was all sand in some
The desert was all sand in some stretches and rocky in others. When the
stretches and rocky in others. When the caravan was blocked by a boulder, it had
caravan was blocked by a boulder, it had to go around it. If there was a large
to go around it. If there was a large rocky area, they had to make a major
rocky area, they had to make a major detour. If the sand was too fine for the
detour. If the sand was too fine for the animals hooves, they sought a way where
animals hooves, they sought a way where the sand was more substantial. In some
the sand was more substantial. In some places, the ground was covered with the
places, the ground was covered with the salt of dried up lakes. The animals
salt of dried up lakes. The animals balked at such places, and the camel
balked at such places, and the camel drivers were forced to dismount and
drivers were forced to dismount and unburden their charges.
unburden their charges. The drivers carried the freight
The drivers carried the freight themselves over such treacherous
themselves over such treacherous footing, and then reloaded the camels.
footing, and then reloaded the camels. If a guide were to fall ill or die, the
If a guide were to fall ill or die, the camel drivers would draw lots and
camel drivers would draw lots and appoint a new one. But all this happened
appoint a new one. But all this happened for one basic reason. No matter how many
for one basic reason. No matter how many detours and adjustments it made, the
detours and adjustments it made, the caravan moved toward the same compass
caravan moved toward the same compass point. Once obstacles were overcome, it
point. Once obstacles were overcome, it returned to its course, sighting on a
returned to its course, sighting on a star that indicated the location of the
star that indicated the location of the oasis.
oasis. When the people saw that star shining in
When the people saw that star shining in the morning sky, they knew they were on
the morning sky, they knew they were on the right course toward water, palm
the right course toward water, palm trees, shelter, and other people. It was
trees, shelter, and other people. It was only the Englishman who was unaware of
only the Englishman who was unaware of all this. He was for the most part
all this. He was for the most part immersed in reading his books. The boy
immersed in reading his books. The boy too had his book and he had tried to
too had his book and he had tried to read it during the first few days of the
read it during the first few days of the journey, but he found it much more
journey, but he found it much more interesting to observe the caravan and
interesting to observe the caravan and listen to the wind.
listen to the wind. As soon as he had learned to know his
As soon as he had learned to know his camel better, and to establish a
camel better, and to establish a relationship with him, he threw the book
relationship with him, he threw the book away. Although the boy had developed a
away. Although the boy had developed a superstition that each time he opened
superstition that each time he opened the book he would learn something
the book he would learn something important, he decided it was an
important, he decided it was an unnecessary burden.
unnecessary burden. He became friendly with the camel driver
He became friendly with the camel driver who traveled alongside him. At night, as
who traveled alongside him. At night, as they sat around the fire, the boy
they sat around the fire, the boy related to the driver his adventures as
related to the driver his adventures as a shepherd. During one of these
a shepherd. During one of these conversations, the driver told of his
conversations, the driver told of his own life. "I used to live near El Cy,"
own life. "I used to live near El Cy," he said. I had my orchard, my children,
he said. I had my orchard, my children, and a life that would not change at all
and a life that would not change at all until I died. One year, when the crop
until I died. One year, when the crop was the best ever, we all went to Mecca,
was the best ever, we all went to Mecca, and I satisfied the only unmet
and I satisfied the only unmet obligation in my life. I could die
obligation in my life. I could die happily, and that made me feel good.
happily, and that made me feel good. One day, the earth began to tremble, and
One day, the earth began to tremble, and the Nile overflowed its banks. It was
the Nile overflowed its banks. It was something I thought could only happen to
something I thought could only happen to others, never to me. My neighbors feared
others, never to me. My neighbors feared they would lose all their olive trees in
they would lose all their olive trees in the flood and my wife was afraid we
the flood and my wife was afraid we would lose our children. I thought that
would lose our children. I thought that everything I owned would be destroyed.
everything I owned would be destroyed. The land was ruined and I had to find
The land was ruined and I had to find some other way to earn a living. So now
some other way to earn a living. So now I'm a camel driver.
I'm a camel driver. But that disaster taught me to
But that disaster taught me to understand the word of Allah. People
understand the word of Allah. People need not fear the unknown if they are
need not fear the unknown if they are capable of achieving what they need and
capable of achieving what they need and want.
want. We are afraid of losing what we have,
We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our possessions
whether it's our life or our possessions and property. But this fear evaporates
and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories
when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were
and the history of the world were written by the same hand.
written by the same hand. Sometimes their caravan met with
Sometimes their caravan met with another. One always had something that
another. One always had something that the other needed, as if everything were
the other needed, as if everything were indeed written by one hand. As they sat
indeed written by one hand. As they sat around the fire, the camel drivers
around the fire, the camel drivers exchanged information about windstorms
exchanged information about windstorms and told stories about the desert.
and told stories about the desert. At other times, mysterious hooded men
At other times, mysterious hooded men would appear. They were bedawinds who
would appear. They were bedawinds who did surveillance along the caravan
did surveillance along the caravan route. They provided warnings about
route. They provided warnings about thieves and barbarian tribes. They came
thieves and barbarian tribes. They came in silence and departed the same way,
in silence and departed the same way, dressed in black garments that showed
dressed in black garments that showed only their eyes. One night a camel
only their eyes. One night a camel driver came to the fire where the
driver came to the fire where the Englishman and the boy were sitting.
Englishman and the boy were sitting. "There are rumors of tribal wars," he
"There are rumors of tribal wars," he told them. The three fell silent. The
told them. The three fell silent. The boy noted that there was a sense of fear
boy noted that there was a sense of fear in the air, even though no one said
in the air, even though no one said anything.
anything. Once again, he was experiencing the
Once again, he was experiencing the language without words,
language without words, the universal language.
the universal language. The Englishmen asked if they were in
The Englishmen asked if they were in danger. "Once you get into the desert,
danger. "Once you get into the desert, there's no going back," said the camel
there's no going back," said the camel driver. "And when you can't go back, you
driver. "And when you can't go back, you have to worry only about the best way of
have to worry only about the best way of moving forward. The rest is up to Allah,
moving forward. The rest is up to Allah, including the danger."
including the danger." And he concluded by saying the
And he concluded by saying the mysterious word, "Mub."
mysterious word, "Mub." You should pay more attention to the
You should pay more attention to the caravan, the boy said to the Englishman
caravan, the boy said to the Englishman after the camel driver had left. We make
after the camel driver had left. We make a lot of detours, but we're always
a lot of detours, but we're always heading for the same destination.
heading for the same destination. And you ought to read more about the
And you ought to read more about the world, answered the Englishman. Books
world, answered the Englishman. Books are like caravans in that respect.
are like caravans in that respect. The immense collection of people and
The immense collection of people and animals began to travel faster. The days
animals began to travel faster. The days had always been silent, but now even the
had always been silent, but now even the nights, when the travelers were
nights, when the travelers were accustomed to talking around the fires,
accustomed to talking around the fires, had also become quiet. And one day the
had also become quiet. And one day the leader of the caravan made the decision
leader of the caravan made the decision that the fires should no longer be
that the fires should no longer be lighted, so as not to attract attention
lighted, so as not to attract attention to the caravan.
to the caravan. The travelers adopted the practice of
The travelers adopted the practice of arranging the animals in a circle at
arranging the animals in a circle at night, sleeping together in the center
night, sleeping together in the center as protection against the nocturnal
as protection against the nocturnal cold, and the leader posted armed
cold, and the leader posted armed sentinels at the fringes of the group.
sentinels at the fringes of the group. The Englishman was unable to sleep one
The Englishman was unable to sleep one night. He called to the boy, and they
night. He called to the boy, and they took a walk along the dunes surrounding
took a walk along the dunes surrounding the encampment. There was a full moon,
the encampment. There was a full moon, and the boy told the Englishman the
and the boy told the Englishman the story of his life.
story of his life. The Englishman was fascinated with the
The Englishman was fascinated with the part about the progress achieved at the
part about the progress achieved at the crystal shop after the boy began working
crystal shop after the boy began working there. That's the principle that governs
there. That's the principle that governs all things, he said. In alchemy, it's
all things, he said. In alchemy, it's called the soul of the world. When you
called the soul of the world. When you want something with all your heart,
want something with all your heart, that's when you are closest to the soul
that's when you are closest to the soul of the world. It's always a positive
of the world. It's always a positive force.
force. He also said that this was not just a
He also said that this was not just a human gift. That everything on the face
human gift. That everything on the face of the earth had a soul, whether
of the earth had a soul, whether mineral, vegetable, or animal, or even
mineral, vegetable, or animal, or even just a simple thought.
just a simple thought. Everything on earth is being
Everything on earth is being continuously transformed because the
continuously transformed because the earth is alive and it has a soul. We are
earth is alive and it has a soul. We are part of that soul. So we really
part of that soul. So we really recognize that it is working for us. But
recognize that it is working for us. But in the crystal shop you probably
in the crystal shop you probably realized that even the glasses were
realized that even the glasses were collaborating in your success. The boy
collaborating in your success. The boy thought about that for a while as he
thought about that for a while as he looked at the moon and the bleached
looked at the moon and the bleached sands. I've watched the caravan as it
sands. I've watched the caravan as it crossed the desert. He said, "The
crossed the desert. He said, "The caravan and the desert speak the same
caravan and the desert speak the same language, and it's for that reason that
language, and it's for that reason that the desert allows it the crossing. It's
the desert allows it the crossing. It's going to test the caravan's every step
going to test the caravan's every step to see if it's in time. And if it is, we
to see if it's in time. And if it is, we will make it to the oasis."
will make it to the oasis." If either of us had joined this caravan
If either of us had joined this caravan based only on personal courage, but
based only on personal courage, but without understanding that language,
without understanding that language, this journey would have been much more
this journey would have been much more difficult. They stood there looking at
difficult. They stood there looking at the moon. That's the magic of Omens,
the moon. That's the magic of Omens, said the boy.
said the boy. I've seen how the guides read the signs
I've seen how the guides read the signs of the desert and how the soul of the
of the desert and how the soul of the caravan speaks to the soul of the
caravan speaks to the soul of the desert. The Englishman said, "I'd better
desert. The Englishman said, "I'd better pay more attention to the caravan." "And
pay more attention to the caravan." "And I'd better read your books," said the
I'd better read your books," said the boy.
"They were strange books. They spoke about mercury, salt, dragons, and kings,
about mercury, salt, dragons, and kings, and he didn't understand any of it.
and he didn't understand any of it. But there was one idea that seemed to
But there was one idea that seemed to repeat itself throughout all the books.
repeat itself throughout all the books. All things are the manifestation of one
All things are the manifestation of one thing only.
thing only. In one of the books, he learned that the
In one of the books, he learned that the most important text in the literature of
most important text in the literature of alchemy contained only a few lines and
alchemy contained only a few lines and had been inscribed on the surface of an
had been inscribed on the surface of an emerald. "It's the emerald tablet," said
emerald. "It's the emerald tablet," said the Englishman, proud that he might
the Englishman, proud that he might teach something to the boy. "Well, then
teach something to the boy. "Well, then why do we need all these books?" the boy
why do we need all these books?" the boy asked. "So that we can understand those
asked. "So that we can understand those few lines," the Englishman answered,
few lines," the Englishman answered, without appearing really to believe what
without appearing really to believe what he said. "The book that most interested
he said. "The book that most interested the boy told the stories of the famous
the boy told the stories of the famous alchemists.
alchemists. They were men who had dedicated their
They were men who had dedicated their entire lives to the purification of
entire lives to the purification of metals in their laboratories. They
metals in their laboratories. They believed that if a metal were heated for
believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all
many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties and what was
its individual properties and what was left would be the soul of the world.
left would be the soul of the world. This soul of the world allowed them to
This soul of the world allowed them to understand anything on the face of the
understand anything on the face of the earth because it was the language with
earth because it was the language with which all things communicated.
which all things communicated. They called that discovery the master
They called that discovery the master work. It was part liquid and part solid.
work. It was part liquid and part solid. Can't you just observe men and omens in
Can't you just observe men and omens in order to understand the language? The
order to understand the language? The boy asked. You have a mania for
boy asked. You have a mania for simplifying everything? Answered the
simplifying everything? Answered the Englishman irritated. Alchemy is a
Englishman irritated. Alchemy is a serious discipline. Every step has to be
serious discipline. Every step has to be followed exactly as it was followed by
followed exactly as it was followed by the masters.
the masters. The boy learned that the liquid part of
The boy learned that the liquid part of the master work was called the elixir of
the master work was called the elixir of life and that it cured all illnesses.
life and that it cured all illnesses. It also kept the alchemist from growing
It also kept the alchemist from growing old. and the solid part was called the
old. and the solid part was called the philosopher<unk>'s stone.
philosopher<unk>'s stone. It's not easy to find the
It's not easy to find the philosopher<unk>'s stone, said the
philosopher<unk>'s stone, said the Englishman. The alchemists spent years
Englishman. The alchemists spent years in their laboratories observing the fire
in their laboratories observing the fire that purified the metals. They spent so
that purified the metals. They spent so much time close to the fire that
much time close to the fire that gradually they gave up the vanities of
gradually they gave up the vanities of the world. They discovered that the
the world. They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a
purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves.
purification of themselves. The boy thought about the crystal
The boy thought about the crystal merchant. He had said that it was a good
merchant. He had said that it was a good thing for the boy to clean the crystal
thing for the boy to clean the crystal pieces so that he could free himself
pieces so that he could free himself from negative thoughts. The boy was
from negative thoughts. The boy was becoming more and more convinced that
becoming more and more convinced that alchemy could be learned in one's daily
alchemy could be learned in one's daily life.
life. Also, said the Englishman, the
Also, said the Englishman, the philosopher<unk>'s stone has a
philosopher<unk>'s stone has a fascinating property. A small sliver of
fascinating property. A small sliver of the stone can transform large quantities
the stone can transform large quantities of metal into gold.
of metal into gold. Having heard that, the boy came even
Having heard that, the boy came even more interested in alchemy. He thought
more interested in alchemy. He thought that with some patience he'd be able to
that with some patience he'd be able to transform everything into gold. He read
transform everything into gold. He read the lives of the various people who had
the lives of the various people who had succeeded in doing so. Helvius, Elias,
succeeded in doing so. Helvius, Elias, Fulcanelli, and Gabber. They were
Fulcanelli, and Gabber. They were fascinating stories. Each of them lived
fascinating stories. Each of them lived out his personal legend to the end. They
out his personal legend to the end. They traveled, spoke with wise men, performed
traveled, spoke with wise men, performed miracles for the incredulous, and owned
miracles for the incredulous, and owned the philosopher stone and the elixir of
the philosopher stone and the elixir of life. But when the boy wanted to learn
life. But when the boy wanted to learn how to achieve the masterwork, he became
how to achieve the masterwork, he became completely lost. There were just
completely lost. There were just drawings, coded instructions, and
drawings, coded instructions, and obscure texts.
"Why do they make things so complicated?" he asked the Englishman
complicated?" he asked the Englishman one night.
one night. The boy had noticed that the Englishman
The boy had noticed that the Englishman was irritable and missed his books. So
was irritable and missed his books. So that those who have the responsibility
that those who have the responsibility for understanding can understand, he
for understanding can understand, he said. Imagine if everybody went around
said. Imagine if everybody went around transforming lead into gold. Gold would
transforming lead into gold. Gold would lose its value. It's only those who are
lose its value. It's only those who are persistent and willing to study things
persistent and willing to study things deeply who achieve the masterwork.
deeply who achieve the masterwork. That's why I'm here in the middle of the
That's why I'm here in the middle of the desert. I'm seeking a true alchemist who
desert. I'm seeking a true alchemist who will help me to decipher the codes. When
will help me to decipher the codes. When were these books written? the boy asked.
were these books written? the boy asked. Many centuries ago. They didn't have the
Many centuries ago. They didn't have the printing press in those days, the boy
printing press in those days, the boy argued. There was no way for everyone to
argued. There was no way for everyone to know about alchemy. Why do they use such
know about alchemy. Why do they use such strange language with so many drawings?
strange language with so many drawings? The Englishman didn't answer him
The Englishman didn't answer him directly. He said that for the past few
directly. He said that for the past few days he had been paying attention to how
days he had been paying attention to how the caravan operated, and that he hadn't
the caravan operated, and that he hadn't learned anything new. The only thing he
learned anything new. The only thing he had noticed was that the talk of war was
had noticed was that the talk of war was becoming more and more frequent.
Then one day the boy returned the books to the Englishman. "Did you learn
to the Englishman. "Did you learn anything?" the Englishman asked, eager
anything?" the Englishman asked, eager to hear what it might be. "He needed
to hear what it might be. "He needed someone to talk to so as to avoid
someone to talk to so as to avoid thinking about the possibility of war."
thinking about the possibility of war." "I learned that the world has a soul,
"I learned that the world has a soul, and that whoever understands that soul
and that whoever understands that soul can also understand the language of
can also understand the language of things.
things. I learned that many alchemists realized
I learned that many alchemists realized their personal legends and wound up
their personal legends and wound up discovering the soul of the world, the
discovering the soul of the world, the philosopher stone, and the alexia of
philosopher stone, and the alexia of life.
life. But above all, I learned that these
But above all, I learned that these things are all so simple that they could
things are all so simple that they could be written on the surface of an emerald.
be written on the surface of an emerald. The Englishman was disappointed. The
The Englishman was disappointed. The years of research, the magic symbols,
years of research, the magic symbols, the strange words, and the laboratory
the strange words, and the laboratory equipment, none of this had made any
equipment, none of this had made any impression on the boy. His soul must be
impression on the boy. His soul must be too primitive to understand those
too primitive to understand those things, he thought. He took back his
things, he thought. He took back his books and packed them away again in
books and packed them away again in their bags. Go back to watching the
their bags. Go back to watching the caravan, he said. That didn't teach me
caravan, he said. That didn't teach me anything either.
anything either. The boy went back to contemplating the
The boy went back to contemplating the silence of the desert and the sand
silence of the desert and the sand raised by the animals.
raised by the animals. "Everyone has his or her own way of
"Everyone has his or her own way of learning things," he said to himself.
learning things," he said to himself. His way isn't the same as mine, nor mine
His way isn't the same as mine, nor mine as his, but we're both in search of our
as his, but we're both in search of our personal legends, and I respect him for
personal legends, and I respect him for that."
The caravan began to travel day and night. The hooded Bedawins reappeared
night. The hooded Bedawins reappeared more and more frequently, and the camel
more and more frequently, and the camel driver, who had become a good friend of
driver, who had become a good friend of the boys, explained that the war between
the boys, explained that the war between the tribes had already begun. the
the tribes had already begun. the caravan would be very lucky to reach the
caravan would be very lucky to reach the oasis.
oasis. The animals were exhausted, and the men
The animals were exhausted, and the men talked among themselves less and less.
talked among themselves less and less. The silence was the worst aspect of the
The silence was the worst aspect of the night, when the mere groan of a camel,
night, when the mere groan of a camel, which before had been nothing but the
which before had been nothing but the groan of a camel, now frightened
groan of a camel, now frightened everyone because it might signal a raid.
everyone because it might signal a raid. The camel driver, though, seemed not to
The camel driver, though, seemed not to be very concerned with the threat of
be very concerned with the threat of war.
war. I'm alive," he said to the boy as they
I'm alive," he said to the boy as they ate a bunch of dates one night with no
ate a bunch of dates one night with no fires and no moon. When I'm eating,
fires and no moon. When I'm eating, that's all I think about. If I'm on the
that's all I think about. If I'm on the march, I just concentrate on marching.
march, I just concentrate on marching. If I have to fight, it'll be just as
If I have to fight, it'll be just as good a day to die as any other.
good a day to die as any other. Because I don't live in either my past
Because I don't live in either my past or my future. I'm interested only in the
or my future. I'm interested only in the present.
present. If you can concentrate always on the
If you can concentrate always on the present, you'll be a happy man. You'll
present, you'll be a happy man. You'll see that there is a life in the desert,
see that there is a life in the desert, that there are stars in the heavens, and
that there are stars in the heavens, and that tribesmen fight because they are
that tribesmen fight because they are part of the human race. Life will be a
part of the human race. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because
party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we're living right
life is the moment we're living right now.
now. Two nights later, as he was getting
Two nights later, as he was getting ready to bed down, the boy looked for
ready to bed down, the boy looked for the star they followed every night. He
the star they followed every night. He thought that the horizon was a bit lower
thought that the horizon was a bit lower than it had been because he seemed to
than it had been because he seemed to see stars on the desert itself.
see stars on the desert itself. "It's the oasis," said the camel driver.
"It's the oasis," said the camel driver. "Well, why don't we go there right now?"
"Well, why don't we go there right now?" the boy asked. "Because we have to
the boy asked. "Because we have to sleep."
The boy awoke as the sun rose. There in front of him, where the small stars had
front of him, where the small stars had been the night before, was an endless
been the night before, was an endless row of date palms stretching across the
row of date palms stretching across the entire desert. "We've done it," said the
entire desert. "We've done it," said the Englishman, who had also awakened early.
Englishman, who had also awakened early. But the boy was quiet. He was at home
But the boy was quiet. He was at home with the silence of the desert, and he
with the silence of the desert, and he was content just to look at the trees.
was content just to look at the trees. He still had a long way to go to reach
He still had a long way to go to reach the pyramids, and someday this morning
the pyramids, and someday this morning would be just a memory. But this was the
would be just a memory. But this was the present moment, the party the camel
present moment, the party the camel driver had mentioned, and he wanted to
driver had mentioned, and he wanted to live it as he did the lessons of his
live it as he did the lessons of his past and his dreams of the future.
past and his dreams of the future. Although the vision of the date palms
Although the vision of the date palms would someday be just a memory, right
would someday be just a memory, right now it signified shade, water, and a
now it signified shade, water, and a refuge from the war.
refuge from the war. Yesterday the camel's groan signaled
Yesterday the camel's groan signaled danger, and now a row of date palms
danger, and now a row of date palms could herald a miracle.
could herald a miracle. The world speaks many languages, the boy
The world speaks many languages, the boy thought.
The times rush past, and so do the caravans, fought the alchemist,
caravans, fought the alchemist, as he watched the hundreds of people and
as he watched the hundreds of people and animals arriving at the oasis.
animals arriving at the oasis. People were shouting at the new
People were shouting at the new arrivals. Dust obscured the desert sun,
arrivals. Dust obscured the desert sun, and the children of the oasis were
and the children of the oasis were bursting with excitement at the arrival
bursting with excitement at the arrival of the strangers.
of the strangers. The alchemist saw the tribal chiefs
The alchemist saw the tribal chiefs greet the leader of the caravan and
greet the leader of the caravan and converse with him at length.
converse with him at length. But none of that mattered to the
But none of that mattered to the alchemist. He'd already seen many people
alchemist. He'd already seen many people come and go, and the desert remained as
come and go, and the desert remained as it was. He'd seen kings and beggars
it was. He'd seen kings and beggars walking the desert sands. The dunes were
walking the desert sands. The dunes were changed constantly by the wind. Yet
changed constantly by the wind. Yet these were the same sands he had known
these were the same sands he had known since he was a child. He always enjoyed
since he was a child. He always enjoyed seeing the happiness that the travelers
seeing the happiness that the travelers experienced when, after weeks of yellow
experienced when, after weeks of yellow sand and blue sky, they first saw the
sand and blue sky, they first saw the green of the date palms.
green of the date palms. Maybe God created the desert so that man
Maybe God created the desert so that man could appreciate the date trees, he
could appreciate the date trees, he thought.
thought. He decided to concentrate on more
He decided to concentrate on more practical matters.
practical matters. He knew that in the caravan there was a
He knew that in the caravan there was a man to whom he was to teach some of his
man to whom he was to teach some of his secrets. The omens had told him so. He
secrets. The omens had told him so. He didn't know the man yet, but his
didn't know the man yet, but his practiced eye would recognize him when
practiced eye would recognize him when he appeared. He hoped that it would be
he appeared. He hoped that it would be someone as capable as his previous
someone as capable as his previous apprentice.
apprentice. I don't know why these things have to be
I don't know why these things have to be transmitted by word of mouth, he
transmitted by word of mouth, he thought. It wasn't exactly that they
thought. It wasn't exactly that they were secrets. God revealed his secrets
were secrets. God revealed his secrets easily to all his creatures.
easily to all his creatures. He had only one explanation for this
He had only one explanation for this fact.
fact. Things have to be transmitted this way
Things have to be transmitted this way because they were made up from the pure
because they were made up from the pure life. And this kind of life cannot be
life. And this kind of life cannot be captured in pictures or words.
captured in pictures or words. Because people become fascinated with
Because people become fascinated with pictures and words and wind up
pictures and words and wind up forgetting the language of the world.
The boy couldn't believe what he was seeing. The oasis, rather than being
seeing. The oasis, rather than being just a well surrounded by a few palm
just a well surrounded by a few palm trees, as he had seen once in a
trees, as he had seen once in a geography book, was much larger than
geography book, was much larger than many towns back in Spain. There were 300
many towns back in Spain. There were 300 wells, 50,000 date trees, and
wells, 50,000 date trees, and innumerable colored tents spread among
innumerable colored tents spread among them. "It looks like a thousand1
them. "It looks like a thousand1 nights," said the Englishman, impatient
nights," said the Englishman, impatient to meet with the alchemist. "They were
to meet with the alchemist. "They were surrounded by children, curious to look
surrounded by children, curious to look at the animals and people that were
at the animals and people that were arriving.
arriving. The men of the oasis wanted to know if
The men of the oasis wanted to know if they had seen any fighting, and the
they had seen any fighting, and the women competed with one another for
women competed with one another for access to the cloth and precious stones
access to the cloth and precious stones brought by the merchants.
brought by the merchants. The silence of the desert was a distant
The silence of the desert was a distant dream. The travelers in the caravan were
dream. The travelers in the caravan were talking incessantly, laughing and
talking incessantly, laughing and shouting as if they had emerged from the
shouting as if they had emerged from the spiritual world and found themselves
spiritual world and found themselves once again in the world of people. They
once again in the world of people. They were relieved and happy.
were relieved and happy. They had been taking careful precautions
They had been taking careful precautions in the desert, but the camel driver
in the desert, but the camel driver explained to the boy that oases were
explained to the boy that oases were always considered to be neutral
always considered to be neutral territories because the majority of the
territories because the majority of the inhabitants were women and children.
inhabitants were women and children. There were oases throughout the desert,
There were oases throughout the desert, but the tribesmen fought in the desert,
but the tribesmen fought in the desert, leaving the oases as places of refuge.
leaving the oases as places of refuge. With some difficulty, the leader of the
With some difficulty, the leader of the caravan brought all his people together
caravan brought all his people together and gave them his instructions.
and gave them his instructions. The group was to remain there at the
The group was to remain there at the oasis until the conflict between the
oasis until the conflict between the tribes was over. Since they were
tribes was over. Since they were visitors, they would have to share
visitors, they would have to share living space with those who lived there
living space with those who lived there and would be given the best
and would be given the best accommodations. That was the law of
accommodations. That was the law of hospitality.
hospitality. Then he asked that everyone, including
Then he asked that everyone, including his own sentinels, hand over their arms
his own sentinels, hand over their arms to the men appointed by the tribal
to the men appointed by the tribal chieftains.
chieftains. Those are the rules of war, the leader
Those are the rules of war, the leader explained. The Oasis may not shelter
explained. The Oasis may not shelter armies or troops.
armies or troops. To the boy's surprise, the Englishman
To the boy's surprise, the Englishman took a chromeplated revolver out of his
took a chromeplated revolver out of his bag and gave it to the men who were
bag and gave it to the men who were collecting the arms. "Why a revolver?"
collecting the arms. "Why a revolver?" he asked. "It helped me to trust in
he asked. "It helped me to trust in people," the Englishman answered.
people," the Englishman answered. Meanwhile, the boy thought about his
Meanwhile, the boy thought about his treasure.
treasure. The closer he got to the realization of
The closer he got to the realization of his dream, the more difficult things
his dream, the more difficult things became. It seemed as if what the old
became. It seemed as if what the old king had called beginner's luck was no
king had called beginner's luck was no longer functioning.
longer functioning. In his pursuit of the dream, he was
In his pursuit of the dream, he was being constantly subjected to tests of
being constantly subjected to tests of his persistence and courage. So he could
his persistence and courage. So he could not be hasty nor impatient. If he pushed
not be hasty nor impatient. If he pushed forward impulsively, he would fail to
forward impulsively, he would fail to see the signs and omens left by God
see the signs and omens left by God along his path.
along his path. God placed them along my path. He had
God placed them along my path. He had surprised himself with the thought.
surprised himself with the thought. Until then, he had considered omens to
Until then, he had considered omens to be things of this world, like eating or
be things of this world, like eating or sleeping, or like seeking love or
sleeping, or like seeking love or finding a job. He'd never thought of
finding a job. He'd never thought of them in terms of a language used by God
them in terms of a language used by God to indicate what he should do. Don't be
to indicate what he should do. Don't be impatient, he repeated to himself. It's
impatient, he repeated to himself. It's like the camel driver said, "Eat when
like the camel driver said, "Eat when it's time to eat, and move along when
it's time to eat, and move along when it's time to move along."
it's time to move along." That first day, everyone slept from
That first day, everyone slept from exhaustion, including the Englishmen.
exhaustion, including the Englishmen. The boy was assigned a place far from
The boy was assigned a place far from his friend in a tent with five other
his friend in a tent with five other young men of about his age. They were
young men of about his age. They were people of the desert, and clamorred to
people of the desert, and clamorred to hear his stories about the great cities.
hear his stories about the great cities. The boy told them about his life as a
The boy told them about his life as a shepherd, and was about to tell them of
shepherd, and was about to tell them of his experiences at the crystal shop when
his experiences at the crystal shop when the Englishman came into the tent. I've
the Englishman came into the tent. I've been looking for you all morning, he
been looking for you all morning, he said as he led the boy outside. I need
said as he led the boy outside. I need you to help me to find out where the
you to help me to find out where the alchemist lives.
alchemist lives. First, they tried to find him on their
First, they tried to find him on their own. An alchemist would probably live in
own. An alchemist would probably live in a manner that was different from that of
a manner that was different from that of the rest of the people of the oasis, and
the rest of the people of the oasis, and it was likely that in his tent an oven
it was likely that in his tent an oven was continuously burning.
was continuously burning. They searched everywhere and found that
They searched everywhere and found that the oasis was much larger than they
the oasis was much larger than they could have imagined. There were hundreds
could have imagined. There were hundreds of tents. "We've wasted almost the
of tents. "We've wasted almost the entire day," said the Englishman,
entire day," said the Englishman, sitting down with the boy near one of
sitting down with the boy near one of the wells. "Maybe we better ask
the wells. "Maybe we better ask someone," the boy suggested.
someone," the boy suggested. The Englishman didn't want to tell
The Englishman didn't want to tell others about his reasons for being at
others about his reasons for being at the oasis, and couldn't make up his
the oasis, and couldn't make up his mind. "But finally he agreed that the
mind. "But finally he agreed that the boy who spoke better Arabic than he
boy who spoke better Arabic than he should do so." The boy approached a
should do so." The boy approached a woman who had come to the well to fill a
woman who had come to the well to fill a goat skin with water.
goat skin with water. Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm trying to
Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm trying to find out where the alchemist lives here
find out where the alchemist lives here at the oasis.
at the oasis. The woman said she'd never heard of such
The woman said she'd never heard of such a person and hurried away. But before
a person and hurried away. But before she fled, she advised the boy that he
she fled, she advised the boy that he had better not try to converse with
had better not try to converse with women who were dressed in black, because
women who were dressed in black, because they were married women. He should
they were married women. He should respect tradition.
respect tradition. The Englishman was disappointed.
The Englishman was disappointed. It seemed he had made the long journey
It seemed he had made the long journey for nothing. The boy was also saddened.
for nothing. The boy was also saddened. His friend was in pursuit of his
His friend was in pursuit of his personal legend. And when someone was in
personal legend. And when someone was in such a pursuit, the entire universe made
such a pursuit, the entire universe made an effort to help him succeed. That's
an effort to help him succeed. That's what the old king had said. He couldn't
what the old king had said. He couldn't have been wrong.
have been wrong. I had never heard of alchemists before,
I had never heard of alchemists before, the boy said. Maybe no one here has
the boy said. Maybe no one here has either. The Englishman's eyes lit up.
either. The Englishman's eyes lit up. That's it. Maybe no one here knows what
That's it. Maybe no one here knows what an alchemist is. Find out who it is who
an alchemist is. Find out who it is who cures the people's illnesses.
cures the people's illnesses. Several women dressed in black came to
Several women dressed in black came to the well for water, but the boy would
the well for water, but the boy would speak to none of them despite the
speak to none of them despite the Englishman's insistence. Then a man
Englishman's insistence. Then a man approached. "Do you know someone here
approached. "Do you know someone here who cures people's illnesses?" the boy
who cures people's illnesses?" the boy asked. "Allah cures our illnesses," said
asked. "Allah cures our illnesses," said the man, clearly frightened the
the man, clearly frightened the strangers. "You're looking for which
strangers. "You're looking for which doctors? He spoke some verses from the
doctors? He spoke some verses from the Quran and moved on.
Quran and moved on. Another man appeared. He was older and
Another man appeared. He was older and was carrying a small bucket. The boy
was carrying a small bucket. The boy repeated his question. Why do you want
repeated his question. Why do you want to find that sort of person? The Arab
to find that sort of person? The Arab asked. Because my friend here has
asked. Because my friend here has traveled for many months in order to
traveled for many months in order to meet with him, the boy said. If such a
meet with him, the boy said. If such a man is here at the Oasis, he must be a
man is here at the Oasis, he must be a very powerful one, said the old man
very powerful one, said the old man after thinking for a few moments. Not
after thinking for a few moments. Not even the tribal chieftains are able to
even the tribal chieftains are able to see him when they want to, only when he
see him when they want to, only when he consents.
consents. Wait for the end of the war, then leave
Wait for the end of the war, then leave with the caravan.
with the caravan. Don't try to enter into the life of the
Don't try to enter into the life of the oasis, he said, and walked away.
oasis, he said, and walked away. But the Englishman was exultant. They
But the Englishman was exultant. They were on the right track.
were on the right track. Finally, a young woman approached who
Finally, a young woman approached who was not dressed in black. She had a
was not dressed in black. She had a vessel on her shoulder and her head was
vessel on her shoulder and her head was covered by a veil, but her face was
covered by a veil, but her face was uncovered.
uncovered. The boy approached her to ask about the
The boy approached her to ask about the alchemist.
alchemist. At that moment it seemed to him that
At that moment it seemed to him that time stood still and the soul of the
time stood still and the soul of the world surged within him.
world surged within him. When he looked into her dark eyes and
When he looked into her dark eyes and saw that her lips were poised between a
saw that her lips were poised between a laugh and silence,
laugh and silence, he learned the most important part of
he learned the most important part of the language that all the world spoke.
the language that all the world spoke. The language that everyone on earth was
The language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart.
capable of understanding in their heart. It was love.
It was love. Something older than humanity, more
Something older than humanity, more ancient than the desert, something that
ancient than the desert, something that exerted the same force whenever two
exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met. as had theirs here at
pairs of eyes met. as had theirs here at the well. She smiled,
the well. She smiled, and that was certainly a no man. The
and that was certainly a no man. The omen he had been awaiting without even
omen he had been awaiting without even knowing he was for all his life. The
knowing he was for all his life. The omen he had sought to find with his
omen he had sought to find with his sheep and in his books, in the crystals,
sheep and in his books, in the crystals, and in the silence of the desert.
and in the silence of the desert. It was the pure language of the world.
It was the pure language of the world. It required no explanation, just as the
It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels
universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt
through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the
at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life,
presence of the only woman in his life, and that with no need for words, she
and that with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more
recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than of anything in the
certain of it than of anything in the world.
world. He had been told by his parents and
He had been told by his parents and grandparents that he must fall in love
grandparents that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming
and really know a person before becoming committed.
committed. But maybe people who felt that way had
But maybe people who felt that way had never learned the universal language.
never learned the universal language. Because when you know that language,
Because when you know that language, it's easy to understand that someone in
it's easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it's in
the world awaits you, whether it's in the middle of the desert or in some
the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people
great city. And when two such people encounter each other and their eyes
encounter each other and their eyes meet, the past and the future become
meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment
unimportant. There is only that moment and the incredible certainty that
and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been
everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand
written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love and creates a twin soul
that evokes love and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without
for every person in the world. Without such love, one's dreams would have no
such love, one's dreams would have no meaning.
meaning. Maktub
Maktub thought the boy.
thought the boy. The Englishman shook the boy. Come on,
The Englishman shook the boy. Come on, ask her.
ask her. The boy stepped closer to the girl and
The boy stepped closer to the girl and when she smiled, he did the same.
when she smiled, he did the same. "What's your name?" he asked. "Fatima,"
"What's your name?" he asked. "Fatima," the girl said, averting her eyes.
the girl said, averting her eyes. "That's what some women in my country
"That's what some women in my country are called." "It's the name of the
are called." "It's the name of the prophet's daughter," Fatima said. "The
prophet's daughter," Fatima said. "The invaders carried the name everywhere."
invaders carried the name everywhere." The beautiful girl spoke of the invaders
The beautiful girl spoke of the invaders with pride.
with pride. The Englishman prodded him, and the boy
The Englishman prodded him, and the boy asked her about the man who cured
asked her about the man who cured people's illnesses.
people's illnesses. That's the man who knows all the secrets
That's the man who knows all the secrets of the world, she said. He communicates
of the world, she said. He communicates with the genies of the desert.
with the genies of the desert. The genies were the spirits of good and
The genies were the spirits of good and evil. And the girl pointed to the south,
evil. And the girl pointed to the south, indicating that it was there the strange
indicating that it was there the strange man lived. Then she filled her vessel
man lived. Then she filled her vessel with water and left.
with water and left. The Englishman vanished too, gone to
The Englishman vanished too, gone to find the alchemist,
find the alchemist, and the boy sat there by the well for a
and the boy sat there by the well for a long time, remembering that one day in
long time, remembering that one day in Tarifa, the Levant had bought to him the
Tarifa, the Levant had bought to him the perfume of that woman, and realizing
perfume of that woman, and realizing that he had loved her before he even
that he had loved her before he even knew she existed.
knew she existed. He knew that his love for her would
He knew that his love for her would enable him to discover every treasure in
enable him to discover every treasure in the world.
the world. The next day, the boy returned to the
The next day, the boy returned to the well, hoping to see the girl. To his
well, hoping to see the girl. To his surprise, the Englishman was there,
surprise, the Englishman was there, looking out at the desert. "I waited all
looking out at the desert. "I waited all afternoon and evening," he said. He
afternoon and evening," he said. He appeared with the first stars of
appeared with the first stars of evening. I told him what I was seeking,
evening. I told him what I was seeking, and he asked me if I had ever
and he asked me if I had ever transformed lead into gold. "I told him
transformed lead into gold. "I told him that was what I'd come here to learn.
that was what I'd come here to learn. He told me I should try to do so. That's
He told me I should try to do so. That's all he said. go and try.
all he said. go and try. The boy didn't say anything. The poor
The boy didn't say anything. The poor Englishman had traveled all this way,
Englishman had traveled all this way, only to be told that he should repeat
only to be told that he should repeat what he had already done so many times.
what he had already done so many times. So then try, he said to the Englishman.
So then try, he said to the Englishman. "That's what I'm going to do. I'm going
"That's what I'm going to do. I'm going to start now."
to start now." As the Englishman left, Fatima arrived
As the Englishman left, Fatima arrived and filled her vessel with water. "I
and filled her vessel with water. "I came to tell you just one thing," the
came to tell you just one thing," the boy said. I want you to be my wife. I
boy said. I want you to be my wife. I love you. The girl dropped the container
love you. The girl dropped the container and the water spilled. I'm going to wait
and the water spilled. I'm going to wait here for you every day. I have crossed
here for you every day. I have crossed the desert in search of a treasure that
the desert in search of a treasure that is somewhere near the pyramids. And for
is somewhere near the pyramids. And for me, the war seemed a curse, but now it's
me, the war seemed a curse, but now it's a blessing because it brought me to you.
a blessing because it brought me to you. The war is going to end someday, the
The war is going to end someday, the girl said.
girl said. The boy looked around him at the date
The boy looked around him at the date palms.
palms. He reminded himself that he had been a
He reminded himself that he had been a shepherd and that he could be a shepherd
shepherd and that he could be a shepherd again. "Fatima was more important than
again. "Fatima was more important than his treasure." "The tribesmen are always
his treasure." "The tribesmen are always in search of treasure," the girl said,
in search of treasure," the girl said, as if she had guessed what he was
as if she had guessed what he was thinking. "And the women of the desert
thinking. "And the women of the desert are proud of their tribesmen."
are proud of their tribesmen." She refilled her vessel and left.
She refilled her vessel and left. The boy went to the well every day to
The boy went to the well every day to meet with Fatima. He told her about his
meet with Fatima. He told her about his life as a shepherd, about the king, and
life as a shepherd, about the king, and about the crystal shop. They became
about the crystal shop. They became friends, and except for the 15 minutes
friends, and except for the 15 minutes he spent with her, each day seemed that
he spent with her, each day seemed that it would never pass.
it would never pass. When he had been at the oasis for about
When he had been at the oasis for about a month, the leader of the caravan
a month, the leader of the caravan called a meeting of all the people
called a meeting of all the people traveling with him. "We don't know when
traveling with him. "We don't know when the war will end, so we can't continue
the war will end, so we can't continue our journey," he said. The battles may
our journey," he said. The battles may last for a long time, perhaps even
last for a long time, perhaps even years. There are powerful forces on both
years. There are powerful forces on both sides, and the war is important to both
sides, and the war is important to both armies. It's not a battle of good
armies. It's not a battle of good against evil. It's a war between forces
against evil. It's a war between forces that are fighting for the balance of
that are fighting for the balance of power. And when that type of battle
power. And when that type of battle begins, it lasts longer than others
begins, it lasts longer than others because Allah is on both sides.
because Allah is on both sides. The people went back to where they were
The people went back to where they were living. And the boy went to meet with
living. And the boy went to meet with Fatima that afternoon. He told her about
Fatima that afternoon. He told her about the morning's meeting
the morning's meeting the day after we met. Fatima said, "You
the day after we met. Fatima said, "You told me that you loved me. Then you
told me that you loved me. Then you taught me something of the universal
taught me something of the universal language and the soul of the world.
language and the soul of the world. Because of that, I have become a part of
Because of that, I have become a part of you."
you." The boy listened to the sound of her
The boy listened to the sound of her voice and thought it to be more
voice and thought it to be more beautiful than the sound of the wind in
beautiful than the sound of the wind in the date palms.
the date palms. I have been waiting for you here at this
I have been waiting for you here at this oasis for a long time.
oasis for a long time. I have forgotten about my past, about my
I have forgotten about my past, about my traditions, and the way in which men of
traditions, and the way in which men of the desert expect women to behave.
the desert expect women to behave. Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed
Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed that the desert would bring me a
that the desert would bring me a wonderful present.
wonderful present. Now, my present has arrived, and it's
Now, my present has arrived, and it's you."
you." The boy wanted to take her hand, but
The boy wanted to take her hand, but Fatima's hands held to the handles of
Fatima's hands held to the handles of her jug. You have told me about your
her jug. You have told me about your dreams, about the old king and your
dreams, about the old king and your treasure, and you've told me about
treasure, and you've told me about omens. So now I fear nothing because it
omens. So now I fear nothing because it was those omens that brought you to me.
was those omens that brought you to me. I am a part of your dream, a part of
I am a part of your dream, a part of your personal legend, as you call it.
your personal legend, as you call it. That's why I want you to continue toward
That's why I want you to continue toward your goal. If you have to wait until the
your goal. If you have to wait until the war is over, then wait. But if you have
war is over, then wait. But if you have to go before then, go on in pursuit of
to go before then, go on in pursuit of your dream.
your dream. The dunes are changed by the wind, but
The dunes are changed by the wind, but the desert never changes. That's the way
the desert never changes. That's the way it will be with our love for each other.
it will be with our love for each other. Maktub, she said,
Maktub, she said, if I am really a part of your dream,
if I am really a part of your dream, you'll come back one day.
you'll come back one day. The boy was sad as he left her that day.
The boy was sad as he left her that day. He thought of all the married shepherds
He thought of all the married shepherds he had known. They had a difficult time
he had known. They had a difficult time convincing their wives that they had to
convincing their wives that they had to go off into distant fields. Love
go off into distant fields. Love required them to stay with the people
required them to stay with the people they loved.
they loved. He told Fatima that at their next
He told Fatima that at their next meeting. The desert takes our men from
meeting. The desert takes our men from us and they don't always return. She
us and they don't always return. She said, "We know that and we are used to
said, "We know that and we are used to it.
it. Those who don't return become a part of
Those who don't return become a part of the clouds, a part of the animals that
the clouds, a part of the animals that hide in the ravines and of the water
hide in the ravines and of the water that comes from the earth. They become a
that comes from the earth. They become a part of everything. They become the soul
part of everything. They become the soul of the world.
of the world. Some do come back and then the other
Some do come back and then the other women are happy because they believe
women are happy because they believe that their men may one day return as
that their men may one day return as well. I used to look at those women and
well. I used to look at those women and envy them their happiness.
envy them their happiness. Now I too will be one of the women who
Now I too will be one of the women who wait.
wait. I'm a desert woman and I'm proud of
I'm a desert woman and I'm proud of that.
that. I want my husband to wander as free as
I want my husband to wander as free as the wind that shapes the dunes.
the wind that shapes the dunes. And if I have to, I will accept the fact
And if I have to, I will accept the fact that he's become a part of the clouds
that he's become a part of the clouds and the animals and the water of the
and the animals and the water of the desert.
desert. The boy went to look for the Englishman.
The boy went to look for the Englishman. He wanted to tell him about Fatima. He
He wanted to tell him about Fatima. He was surprised when he saw that the
was surprised when he saw that the Englishman had built himself a furnace
Englishman had built himself a furnace outside his tent. It was a strange
outside his tent. It was a strange furnace fueled by firewood with a
furnace fueled by firewood with a transparent flask heating on the top. As
transparent flask heating on the top. As the Englishman stared out at the desert,
the Englishman stared out at the desert, his eyes seemed brighter than they had
his eyes seemed brighter than they had when he was reading his books. "This is
when he was reading his books. "This is the first phase of the job," he said. "I
the first phase of the job," he said. "I have to separate out the sulfur. Now, to
have to separate out the sulfur. Now, to do that successfully, I must have no
do that successfully, I must have no fear of failure. It was my fear of
fear of failure. It was my fear of failure that first kept me from
failure that first kept me from attempting the master work. Now I'm
attempting the master work. Now I'm beginning what I could have started 10
beginning what I could have started 10 years ago, but I'm happy at least that I
years ago, but I'm happy at least that I didn't wait 20 years.
didn't wait 20 years. He continued to feed the fire, and the
He continued to feed the fire, and the boy stayed on until the desert turned
boy stayed on until the desert turned pink in the setting sun. He felt the
pink in the setting sun. He felt the urge to go out into the desert to see if
urge to go out into the desert to see if its silence held the answers to his
its silence held the answers to his questions.
questions. He wandered for a while, keeping the
He wandered for a while, keeping the date palms of the oasis within sight. He
date palms of the oasis within sight. He listened to the wind and felt the stones
listened to the wind and felt the stones beneath his feet. Here and there he
beneath his feet. Here and there he found a shell and realized that the
found a shell and realized that the desert in remote times had been a sea.
desert in remote times had been a sea. He sat on a stone and allowed himself to
He sat on a stone and allowed himself to become hypnotized by the horizon.
become hypnotized by the horizon. He tried to deal with the concept of
He tried to deal with the concept of love as distinct from possession and
love as distinct from possession and couldn't separate them. But Fatima was a
couldn't separate them. But Fatima was a woman of the desert, and if anything
woman of the desert, and if anything could help him to understand, it was the
could help him to understand, it was the desert.
desert. As he sat there thinking, he sensed
As he sat there thinking, he sensed movement above him. Looking up, he saw a
movement above him. Looking up, he saw a pair of hawks flying high in the sky.
pair of hawks flying high in the sky. He watched the hawks as they drifted on
He watched the hawks as they drifted on the wind. Although their flight appeared
the wind. Although their flight appeared to have no pattern, it made a certain
to have no pattern, it made a certain kind of sense to the boy. It was just
kind of sense to the boy. It was just that he couldn't grasp what it meant.
that he couldn't grasp what it meant. He followed the movement of the birds,
He followed the movement of the birds, trying to read something into it. Maybe
trying to read something into it. Maybe these desert birds could explain to him
these desert birds could explain to him the meaning of love without ownership.
the meaning of love without ownership. He felt sleepy. In his heart, he wanted
He felt sleepy. In his heart, he wanted to remain awake, but he also wanted to
to remain awake, but he also wanted to sleep. "I'm learning the language of the
sleep. "I'm learning the language of the world, and everything in the world is
world, and everything in the world is beginning to make sense to me, even the
beginning to make sense to me, even the flight of the hawks," he said to
flight of the hawks," he said to himself. And in that mood, he was
himself. And in that mood, he was grateful to be in love. When you're in
grateful to be in love. When you're in love, things make even more sense, he
love, things make even more sense, he thought. Suddenly, one of the hawks made
thought. Suddenly, one of the hawks made a flashing dive through the sky,
a flashing dive through the sky, attacking the other. As it did so, a
attacking the other. As it did so, a sudden, fleeting image came to the boy,
sudden, fleeting image came to the boy, an army with its swords at the ready,
an army with its swords at the ready, riding into the oasis. The vision
riding into the oasis. The vision vanished immediately, but it had shaken
vanished immediately, but it had shaken him. He had heard people speak of
him. He had heard people speak of miages, and he had already seen some
miages, and he had already seen some himself. They were desires that, because
himself. They were desires that, because of their intensity, materialized over
of their intensity, materialized over the sounds of the desert. But he
the sounds of the desert. But he certainly didn't desire that an army
certainly didn't desire that an army invade the oasis.
invade the oasis. He wanted to forget about the vision and
He wanted to forget about the vision and return to his meditation. He tried again
return to his meditation. He tried again to concentrate on the pink shades of the
to concentrate on the pink shades of the desert and its stones, but there was
desert and its stones, but there was something there in his heart that
something there in his heart that wouldn't allow him to do so. Always heed
wouldn't allow him to do so. Always heed the omens, the old king had said. The
the omens, the old king had said. The boy recalled what he had seen in the
boy recalled what he had seen in the vision and sensed that it was actually
vision and sensed that it was actually going to occur.
going to occur. He rose and made his way back toward the
He rose and made his way back toward the palm trees. Once again he perceived the
palm trees. Once again he perceived the many languages and the things about him.
many languages and the things about him. This time the desert was safe and it was
This time the desert was safe and it was the oasis that had become dangerous.
the oasis that had become dangerous. The camel driver was seated at the base
The camel driver was seated at the base of a palm tree observing the sunset. He
of a palm tree observing the sunset. He saw the boy appear from the other side
saw the boy appear from the other side of the dunes. An army is coming, the boy
of the dunes. An army is coming, the boy said. I had a vision. The desert fills
said. I had a vision. The desert fills men's hearts with visions, the camel
men's hearts with visions, the camel driver answered.
driver answered. But the boy told him about the hawks,
But the boy told him about the hawks, that he had been watching their flight
that he had been watching their flight and had suddenly felt himself to have
and had suddenly felt himself to have plunged to the soul of the world.
plunged to the soul of the world. The camel driver understood what the boy
The camel driver understood what the boy was saying. He knew that any given thing
was saying. He knew that any given thing on the face of the earth could reveal
on the face of the earth could reveal the history of all things. One could
the history of all things. One could open a book to any page or look at a
open a book to any page or look at a person's hand. One could turn a card or
person's hand. One could turn a card or watch the flight of the birds. Whatever
watch the flight of the birds. Whatever the thing observed, one could find a
the thing observed, one could find a connection with his experience of the
connection with his experience of the moment. Actually, it wasn't that those
moment. Actually, it wasn't that those things in themselves revealed anything
things in themselves revealed anything at all. It was just that people looking
at all. It was just that people looking at what was occurring around them could
at what was occurring around them could find a means of penetration to the soul
find a means of penetration to the soul of the world.
of the world. The desert was full of men who earned
The desert was full of men who earned their living based on the ease with
their living based on the ease with which they could penetrate to the soul
which they could penetrate to the soul of the world. They were known as seers,
of the world. They were known as seers, and they were held in fear by women and
and they were held in fear by women and the elderly. Tribesmen were also wary of
the elderly. Tribesmen were also wary of consulting them because it would be
consulting them because it would be impossible to be effective in battle if
impossible to be effective in battle if one knew that he was fated to die. The
one knew that he was fated to die. The tribesmen preferred the taste of battle
tribesmen preferred the taste of battle and the thrill of not knowing what the
and the thrill of not knowing what the outcome would be. The future was already
outcome would be. The future was already written by Allah, and what he had
written by Allah, and what he had written was always for the good of man.
written was always for the good of man. So the tribesmen lived only for the
So the tribesmen lived only for the present, because the present was full of
present, because the present was full of surprises, and they had to be aware of
surprises, and they had to be aware of many things. Where was the enemy's
many things. Where was the enemy's sword? Where was his horse? What kind of
sword? Where was his horse? What kind of blow should one deliver next in order to
blow should one deliver next in order to remain alive? The camel driver was not a
remain alive? The camel driver was not a fighter, and he had consulted with
fighter, and he had consulted with Sears. Many of them had been right about
Sears. Many of them had been right about what they said, while some had been
what they said, while some had been wrong. Then one day, the oldest seer he
wrong. Then one day, the oldest seer he had ever sought out, and the one most to
had ever sought out, and the one most to be feared, had asked why the camel
be feared, had asked why the camel driver was so interested in the future.
driver was so interested in the future. "Well, so I can do things," he had
"Well, so I can do things," he had responded. "And so I can change those
responded. "And so I can change those things that I don't want to happen. But
things that I don't want to happen. But then they wouldn't be part of your
then they wouldn't be part of your future," the seer had said. "Well, maybe
future," the seer had said. "Well, maybe I just want to know the future so I can
I just want to know the future so I can prepare myself for what's coming. If
prepare myself for what's coming. If good things are coming, they will be a
good things are coming, they will be a pleasant surprise, said the seer. If bad
pleasant surprise, said the seer. If bad things are, and you know in advance, you
things are, and you know in advance, you will suffer greatly before they even
will suffer greatly before they even occur.
occur. I want to know about the future because
I want to know about the future because I'm a man, the camel driver said to the
I'm a man, the camel driver said to the seer, and men always live their lives
seer, and men always live their lives based on the future.
based on the future. The seer was a specialist in the casting
The seer was a specialist in the casting of twigs. He threw them on the ground
of twigs. He threw them on the ground and made interpretations based on how
and made interpretations based on how they fell.
they fell. That day he didn't make a cast. He
That day he didn't make a cast. He wrapped the twigs in a piece of cloth
wrapped the twigs in a piece of cloth and put them back in his bag. I make my
and put them back in his bag. I make my living forecasting the future for
living forecasting the future for people, he said. I know the science of
people, he said. I know the science of the twigs, and I know how to use them to
the twigs, and I know how to use them to penetrate to the place where all is
penetrate to the place where all is written. There I can read the past,
written. There I can read the past, discover what has already been
discover what has already been forgotten, and understand the omens that
forgotten, and understand the omens that are here in the present. When people
are here in the present. When people consult me, it's not that I'm reading
consult me, it's not that I'm reading the future. I am guessing at the future.
the future. I am guessing at the future. The future belongs to God. And it is
The future belongs to God. And it is only he who reveals it under
only he who reveals it under extraordinary circumstances.
extraordinary circumstances. How do I guess at the future? Based on
How do I guess at the future? Based on the omens of the present. The secret is
the omens of the present. The secret is here in the present. If you pay
here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can
attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And if you improve on
improve upon it. And if you improve on the present, what comes later will also
the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about the future and
be better. Forget about the future and live each day according to the
live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his
teachings, confident that God loves his children. Each day in itself brings with
children. Each day in itself brings with it an eternity.
it an eternity. The camel driver had asked what the
The camel driver had asked what the circumstances were under which God would
circumstances were under which God would allow him to see the future. only when
allow him to see the future. only when he himself reveals it. And God only
he himself reveals it. And God only rarely reveals the future. When he does
rarely reveals the future. When he does so, it is for only one reason. It's a
so, it is for only one reason. It's a future that was written so as to be
future that was written so as to be altered.
altered. God had shown the boy a part of the
God had shown the boy a part of the future, the camel driver thought. Why
future, the camel driver thought. Why was it that he wanted the boy to serve
was it that he wanted the boy to serve as his instrument? Go and speak to the
as his instrument? Go and speak to the tribal chieftains, said the camel
tribal chieftains, said the camel driver. Tell them about the armies that
driver. Tell them about the armies that are approaching. They'll laugh at me.
are approaching. They'll laugh at me. Now, they are men of the desert, and the
Now, they are men of the desert, and the men of the desert are used to dealing
men of the desert are used to dealing with omens. Well, then they probably
with omens. Well, then they probably already know. They're not concerned with
already know. They're not concerned with that right now. They believe that if
that right now. They believe that if they have to know about something Allah
they have to know about something Allah wants them to know, someone will tell
wants them to know, someone will tell them about it. It has happened many
them about it. It has happened many times before, but this time the person
times before, but this time the person is you.
is you. the boy thought of Fatima and he decided
the boy thought of Fatima and he decided he would go to see the chiefs of the
he would go to see the chiefs of the tribes.
The boy approached the guard at the front of the huge white tent at the
front of the huge white tent at the center of the oasis. I want to see the
center of the oasis. I want to see the chieftains. I brought omens from the
chieftains. I brought omens from the desert.
desert. Without responding, the guard entered
Without responding, the guard entered the tent where he remained for some
the tent where he remained for some time. When he emerged, it was with a
time. When he emerged, it was with a young Arab dressed in white and gold.
young Arab dressed in white and gold. The boy told the younger man what he had
The boy told the younger man what he had seen, and the man asked him to wait
seen, and the man asked him to wait there. He disappeared into the tent.
there. He disappeared into the tent. Night fell, and an assortment of
Night fell, and an assortment of fighting men and merchants entered and
fighting men and merchants entered and exited the tent. One by one, the
exited the tent. One by one, the campfires were extinguished, and the
campfires were extinguished, and the oasis fell as quiet as the desert. Only
oasis fell as quiet as the desert. Only the lights in the great tent remained.
the lights in the great tent remained. During all this time, the boy thought
During all this time, the boy thought about Fatima, and he was still unable to
about Fatima, and he was still unable to understand his last conversation with
understand his last conversation with her.
her. Finally, after hours of waiting, the
Finally, after hours of waiting, the guard bad the boy enter. The boy was
guard bad the boy enter. The boy was astonished by what he saw inside. Never
astonished by what he saw inside. Never could he have imagined that here, in the
could he have imagined that here, in the middle of the desert there existed a
middle of the desert there existed a tent like this one. The ground was
tent like this one. The ground was covered with the most beautiful carpets
covered with the most beautiful carpets he'd ever walked upon, and from the top
he'd ever walked upon, and from the top of the structure hung lamps of handdrawn
of the structure hung lamps of handdrawn gold, each with a lighted candle. The
gold, each with a lighted candle. The tribal chieftains were seated at the
tribal chieftains were seated at the back of the tent in a semicircle,
back of the tent in a semicircle, resting upon richly embroidered silk
resting upon richly embroidered silk cushions.
cushions. Servants came and went with silver trays
Servants came and went with silver trays laden with spices and tea. Other
laden with spices and tea. Other servants maintained the fires in the
servants maintained the fires in the hookers. The atmosphere was suffused
hookers. The atmosphere was suffused with the sweet scent of smoke.
with the sweet scent of smoke. There were eight chieftains, but the boy
There were eight chieftains, but the boy could see immediately which one of them
could see immediately which one of them was the most important. An Arab dressed
was the most important. An Arab dressed in white and gold, seated at the center
in white and gold, seated at the center of the semicircle. At his side was the
of the semicircle. At his side was the young Arab the boy had spoken with
young Arab the boy had spoken with earlier. "Who is this stranger who
earlier. "Who is this stranger who speaks of omens?" asked one of the
speaks of omens?" asked one of the chieftains eyeing the boy. "It is I,"
chieftains eyeing the boy. "It is I," the boy answered. And he told what he
the boy answered. And he told what he had seen. Why would the desert reveal
had seen. Why would the desert reveal such things to a stranger when it knows
such things to a stranger when it knows that we have been here for generations?
that we have been here for generations? Said another of the chieftains. Because
Said another of the chieftains. Because my eyes are not yet accustomed to the
my eyes are not yet accustomed to the desert, the boy said. I can see things
desert, the boy said. I can see things that eyes habituated to the desert might
that eyes habituated to the desert might not see.
not see. And also because I know about the soul
And also because I know about the soul of the world, he thought to himself. The
of the world, he thought to himself. The oasis is neutral ground. No one attacks
oasis is neutral ground. No one attacks an oasis, said the third chieftain. I
an oasis, said the third chieftain. I can only tell you what I saw. If you
can only tell you what I saw. If you don't want to believe me, you don't have
don't want to believe me, you don't have to do anything about it.
to do anything about it. The men fell into animated discussion.
The men fell into animated discussion. They spoke in an Arab dialect the boy
They spoke in an Arab dialect the boy didn't understand, but when he made to
didn't understand, but when he made to leave, the guard told him to stay. The
leave, the guard told him to stay. The boy became fearful. The omens told him
boy became fearful. The omens told him that something was wrong. He regretted
that something was wrong. He regretted having spoken to the camel driver about
having spoken to the camel driver about what he had seen in the desert.
what he had seen in the desert. Suddenly, the elder at the center smiled
Suddenly, the elder at the center smiled almost imperceptibly, and the boy felt
almost imperceptibly, and the boy felt better. The man hadn't participated in
better. The man hadn't participated in the discussion, and in fact hadn't said
the discussion, and in fact hadn't said a word up to that point, but the boy was
a word up to that point, but the boy was already used to the language of the
already used to the language of the world, and he could feel the vibrations
world, and he could feel the vibrations of peace throughout the tent. Now his
of peace throughout the tent. Now his intuition was that he had been right in
intuition was that he had been right in coming.
coming. The discussion ended. The chieftains
The discussion ended. The chieftains were silent for a few moments as they
were silent for a few moments as they listened to what the old man was saying.
listened to what the old man was saying. Then he turned to the boy. This time his
Then he turned to the boy. This time his expression was cold and distant.
expression was cold and distant. 2,000 years ago in a distant land, a man
2,000 years ago in a distant land, a man who believed in dreams was thrown into a
who believed in dreams was thrown into a dungeon and then sold as a slave. The
dungeon and then sold as a slave. The old man said, now in the dialect, the
old man said, now in the dialect, the boy understood. Our merchants bought
boy understood. Our merchants bought that man and brought him to Egypt. All
that man and brought him to Egypt. All of us know that whoever believes in
of us know that whoever believes in dreams also knows how to interpret them.
dreams also knows how to interpret them. The elder continued, "When the pharaoh
The elder continued, "When the pharaoh dreamed of cows that were thin and cows
dreamed of cows that were thin and cows that were fat, this man I'm speaking of
that were fat, this man I'm speaking of rescued Egypt from famine.
rescued Egypt from famine. His name was Joseph. He too was a
His name was Joseph. He too was a stranger in a strange land like you, and
stranger in a strange land like you, and he was probably about your age."
he was probably about your age." He paused, and his eyes were still
He paused, and his eyes were still unfriendly.
unfriendly. We always observe the tradition. The
We always observe the tradition. The tradition saved Egypt from famine in
tradition saved Egypt from famine in those days and made the Egyptians the
those days and made the Egyptians the wealthiest of peoples. The tradition
wealthiest of peoples. The tradition teaches men how to cross the desert and
teaches men how to cross the desert and how their children should marry. The
how their children should marry. The tradition says that an oasis is neutral
tradition says that an oasis is neutral territory because both sides have oases
territory because both sides have oases and so both are vulnerable.
and so both are vulnerable. No one said a word as the old man
No one said a word as the old man continued. But the tradition also says
continued. But the tradition also says that we should believe the messages of
that we should believe the messages of the desert. Everything we know was
the desert. Everything we know was taught to us by the desert.
taught to us by the desert. The old man gave a signal and everyone
The old man gave a signal and everyone stood. The meeting was over. The hookers
stood. The meeting was over. The hookers were extinguished and the guards stood
were extinguished and the guards stood at attention. The boy made ready to
at attention. The boy made ready to leave, but the old man spoke again.
leave, but the old man spoke again. Tomorrow we are going to break the
Tomorrow we are going to break the agreement that says no one at the Oasis
agreement that says no one at the Oasis may carry arms.
may carry arms. Throughout the entire day, we will be on
Throughout the entire day, we will be on the lookout for our enemies. When the
the lookout for our enemies. When the sun sets, the men will once again
sun sets, the men will once again surrender their arms to me. For every 10
surrender their arms to me. For every 10 dead men among our enemies, you will
dead men among our enemies, you will receive a piece of gold.
receive a piece of gold. But arms cannot be drawn unless they
But arms cannot be drawn unless they also go into battle. Arms are as
also go into battle. Arms are as capricious as the desert, and if they
capricious as the desert, and if they are not used, the next time they might
are not used, the next time they might not function. If at least one of them
not function. If at least one of them hasn't been used by the end of the day
hasn't been used by the end of the day tomorrow, one will be used on you."
tomorrow, one will be used on you." When the boy left the tent, the oasis
When the boy left the tent, the oasis was illuminated only by the light of the
was illuminated only by the light of the full moon. He was 20 minutes from his
full moon. He was 20 minutes from his tent and began to make his way there.
tent and began to make his way there. He was alarmed by what had happened. He
He was alarmed by what had happened. He had succeeded in reaching through to the
had succeeded in reaching through to the soul of the world, and now the price for
soul of the world, and now the price for having done so might be his life. It was
having done so might be his life. It was a frightening bet, but he had been
a frightening bet, but he had been making risky bets ever since the day he
making risky bets ever since the day he had sold his sheep to pursue his
had sold his sheep to pursue his personal legend. As the camel driver had
personal legend. As the camel driver had said, to die tomorrow was no worse than
said, to die tomorrow was no worse than dying on any other day. Every day was
dying on any other day. Every day was there to be lived or to mark one's
there to be lived or to mark one's departure from this world.
departure from this world. Everything depended on one word. Maktub.
Everything depended on one word. Maktub. Walking along in the silence, he had no
Walking along in the silence, he had no regrets. If he died tomorrow, it would
regrets. If he died tomorrow, it would be because God was not willing to change
be because God was not willing to change the future. He would at least have died
the future. He would at least have died after having crossed the straight, after
after having crossed the straight, after having worked in a crystal shop, and
having worked in a crystal shop, and after having known the silence of the
after having known the silence of the desert and Fatima's eyes. He had lived
desert and Fatima's eyes. He had lived every one of his days intensely since he
every one of his days intensely since he had left home so long ago. If he died
had left home so long ago. If he died tomorrow, he would already have seen
tomorrow, he would already have seen more than other shepherds, and he was
more than other shepherds, and he was proud of that. Suddenly, he heard a
proud of that. Suddenly, he heard a thundering sound, and he was thrown to
thundering sound, and he was thrown to the ground by a wind such as he had
the ground by a wind such as he had never known. The area was swirling in
never known. The area was swirling in dust, so intense that it hid the moon
dust, so intense that it hid the moon from view. Before him was an enormous
from view. Before him was an enormous white horse, rearing over him with a
white horse, rearing over him with a frightening scream.
frightening scream. When the blinding dust had settled a
When the blinding dust had settled a bit, the boy trembled at what he saw. A
bit, the boy trembled at what he saw. A stride the animal was a horseman dressed
stride the animal was a horseman dressed completely in black with a falcon
completely in black with a falcon perched on his left shoulder. He wore a
perched on his left shoulder. He wore a turban, and his entire face, except for
turban, and his entire face, except for his eyes, were covered with a black
his eyes, were covered with a black kerchief. He appeared to be a messenger
kerchief. He appeared to be a messenger from the desert, but his presence was
from the desert, but his presence was much more powerful than that of a mere
much more powerful than that of a mere messenger.
messenger. The strange horseman drew an enormous
The strange horseman drew an enormous curved sword from a scabbard mounted on
curved sword from a scabbard mounted on his saddle. The steel of its blade
his saddle. The steel of its blade glittered in the light of the moon. "Who
glittered in the light of the moon. "Who dares to read the meaning of the flight
dares to read the meaning of the flight of the hawks?" he demanded so loudly
of the hawks?" he demanded so loudly that his words seemed to echo through
that his words seemed to echo through the 50,000 palm trees of Alfaum.
the 50,000 palm trees of Alfaum. "It is I who dared to do so," said the
"It is I who dared to do so," said the boy.
boy. He was reminded of the image of Santiago
He was reminded of the image of Santiago Matamoros mounted on his white horse
Matamoros mounted on his white horse with the infidels beneath his hooves.
with the infidels beneath his hooves. "This man looked exactly the same,
"This man looked exactly the same, except that now the roles were
except that now the roles were reversed." "It is I who dared to do so,"
reversed." "It is I who dared to do so," he repeated, and he lowered his head to
he repeated, and he lowered his head to receive a blow from the sword. "Many
receive a blow from the sword. "Many lives will be saved because I was able
lives will be saved because I was able to see through to the soul of the
to see through to the soul of the world."
world." The sword didn't fall. Instead, the
The sword didn't fall. Instead, the stranger lowered it slowly until the
stranger lowered it slowly until the point touched the boy's forehead.
point touched the boy's forehead. It drew a droplet of blood.
It drew a droplet of blood. The horseman was completely immobile, as
The horseman was completely immobile, as was the boy.
was the boy. It didn't even occur to the boy to flee.
It didn't even occur to the boy to flee. In his heart, he felt a strange sense of
In his heart, he felt a strange sense of joy. He was about to die in pursuit of
joy. He was about to die in pursuit of his personal legend.
his personal legend. And for Fatima, the omens had been true
And for Fatima, the omens had been true after all. Here he was, face to face
after all. Here he was, face to face with his enemy. But there was no need to
with his enemy. But there was no need to be concerned about dying. The soul of
be concerned about dying. The soul of the world awaited him, and he would soon
the world awaited him, and he would soon be a part of it, and tomorrow his enemy
be a part of it, and tomorrow his enemy would also be a part of that soul.
would also be a part of that soul. The stranger continued to hold the sword
The stranger continued to hold the sword at the boy's forehead. Why did you read
at the boy's forehead. Why did you read the flight of the birds?
the flight of the birds? I read only what the birds wanted to
I read only what the birds wanted to tell me. They wanted to save the oasis.
tell me. They wanted to save the oasis. Tomorrow all of you will die because
Tomorrow all of you will die because there are more men at the oasis than you
there are more men at the oasis than you have. The sword remained where it was.
have. The sword remained where it was. Who are you to change what Allah has
Who are you to change what Allah has willed? Allah created the armies and he
willed? Allah created the armies and he also created the hawks. Allah taught me
also created the hawks. Allah taught me the language of the birds. Everything
the language of the birds. Everything has been written by the same hand, the
has been written by the same hand, the boy said, remembering the camel driver's
boy said, remembering the camel driver's words.
words. The stranger withdrew the sword from the
The stranger withdrew the sword from the boy's forehead, and the boy felt
boy's forehead, and the boy felt immensely relieved, but he still
immensely relieved, but he still couldn't flee. "Be careful with your
couldn't flee. "Be careful with your prognostications,"
prognostications," said the stranger. When something is
said the stranger. When something is written, there is no way to change it.
written, there is no way to change it. All I saw was an army, said the boy. I
All I saw was an army, said the boy. I didn't see the outcome of the battle.
didn't see the outcome of the battle. The stranger seemed satisfied with the
The stranger seemed satisfied with the answer, but he kept the sword in his
answer, but he kept the sword in his hand. What is a stranger doing in a
hand. What is a stranger doing in a strange land?
strange land? I'm following my personal legend. It is
I'm following my personal legend. It is not something you would understand.
not something you would understand. The stranger placed his sword in its
The stranger placed his sword in its scabbard and the boy relaxed. "I had to
scabbard and the boy relaxed. "I had to test your courage," the stranger said.
test your courage," the stranger said. "Courage is the quality most essential
"Courage is the quality most essential to understanding the language of the
to understanding the language of the world." The boy was surprised. The
world." The boy was surprised. The stranger was speaking of things very few
stranger was speaking of things very few people knew about. "You must not let up,
people knew about. "You must not let up, even after having come so far," he
even after having come so far," he continued.
continued. You must love the desert, but never
You must love the desert, but never trust it completely.
trust it completely. Because the desert tests all men, it
Because the desert tests all men, it challenges every step and kills those
challenges every step and kills those who become distracted.
who become distracted. What he said reminded the boy of the old
What he said reminded the boy of the old king. "If the warriors come here and
king. "If the warriors come here and your head is still on your shoulders at
your head is still on your shoulders at sunset, come and find me," said the
sunset, come and find me," said the stranger.
stranger. The same hand that had brandished the
The same hand that had brandished the sword now held a whip. The horse reared
sword now held a whip. The horse reared again, raising a cloud of dust. "Where'd
again, raising a cloud of dust. "Where'd you live?" shouted the boy as the
you live?" shouted the boy as the horseman rode away. The hand with the
horseman rode away. The hand with the whip pointed to the south.
whip pointed to the south. The boy had met the alchemist.
Next morning, there were 2,000 armed men scattered throughout the palm trees at
scattered throughout the palm trees at Alfaum.
Alfaum. Before the sun had reached its high
Before the sun had reached its high point, 500 tribesmen appeared on the
point, 500 tribesmen appeared on the horizon. The mounted troops entered the
horizon. The mounted troops entered the oasis from the north. It appeared to be
oasis from the north. It appeared to be a peaceful expedition, but they all
a peaceful expedition, but they all carried arms hidden in their robes.
carried arms hidden in their robes. When they reached the white tent at the
When they reached the white tent at the center of Alfaum, they withdrew their
center of Alfaum, they withdrew their scimiters and rifles, and they attacked
scimiters and rifles, and they attacked an empty tent.
an empty tent. The men of the oasis surrounded the
The men of the oasis surrounded the horsemen from the desert, and within
horsemen from the desert, and within half an hour all but one of the
half an hour all but one of the intruders were dead. The children had
intruders were dead. The children had been kept at the other side of a grove
been kept at the other side of a grove of palm trees, and saw nothing of what
of palm trees, and saw nothing of what had happened. The women had remained in
had happened. The women had remained in their tents, praying for the safekeeping
their tents, praying for the safekeeping of their husbands, and saw nothing of
of their husbands, and saw nothing of the battle either. Were it not for the
the battle either. Were it not for the bodies there on the ground, it would
bodies there on the ground, it would have appeared to be a normal day at the
have appeared to be a normal day at the oasis.
oasis. The only tribesman spared was the
The only tribesman spared was the commander of the battalion. That
commander of the battalion. That afternoon he was brought before the
afternoon he was brought before the tribal chieftains who asked him why he
tribal chieftains who asked him why he had violated the tradition.
had violated the tradition. The commander said that his men had been
The commander said that his men had been starving and thirsty, exhausted from
starving and thirsty, exhausted from many days of battle and had decided to
many days of battle and had decided to take the oasis so as to be able to
take the oasis so as to be able to return to the war.
return to the war. The tribal chieftain said that he felt
The tribal chieftain said that he felt sorry for the tribesmen, but that the
sorry for the tribesmen, but that the tradition was sacred. He condemned the
tradition was sacred. He condemned the commander to death without honor.
commander to death without honor. Rather than being killed by a blade or a
Rather than being killed by a blade or a bullet, he was hanged from a dead palm
bullet, he was hanged from a dead palm tree where his body twisted in the
tree where his body twisted in the desert wind.
desert wind. The tribal chieftain called for the boy
The tribal chieftain called for the boy and presented him with 50 pieces of
and presented him with 50 pieces of gold. He repeated his story about Joseph
gold. He repeated his story about Joseph of Egypt and asked the boy to become the
of Egypt and asked the boy to become the counselor of the oasis.
When the sun had set and the first stars made their appearance, the boy started
made their appearance, the boy started to walk to the south. He eventually
to walk to the south. He eventually cited a single tent and a group of Arabs
cited a single tent and a group of Arabs passing by told the boy that it was a
passing by told the boy that it was a place inhabited by genies, but the boy
place inhabited by genies, but the boy sat down and waited.
sat down and waited. Not until the moon was high did the
Not until the moon was high did the alchemist ride into view. He carried two
alchemist ride into view. He carried two dead hawks over his shoulder. I'm here,
dead hawks over his shoulder. I'm here, the boy said. You shouldn't be here,"
the boy said. You shouldn't be here," the alchemist answered. "Or is it your
the alchemist answered. "Or is it your personal legend that brings you here
personal legend that brings you here with the wars between the tribes? It's
with the wars between the tribes? It's impossible to cross the desert, so I've
impossible to cross the desert, so I've come here."
come here." The alchemist dismounted from his horse
The alchemist dismounted from his horse and signaled that the boy should enter
and signaled that the boy should enter the tent with him. It was a tent like
the tent with him. It was a tent like many at the oasis. The boy looked around
many at the oasis. The boy looked around for the ovens and other apparatus used
for the ovens and other apparatus used in alchemy, but saw none. There were
in alchemy, but saw none. There were only some books in a pile, a small
only some books in a pile, a small cooking stove, and the carpets covered
cooking stove, and the carpets covered with mysterious designs. "Sit down.
with mysterious designs. "Sit down. We'll have something to drink and eat
We'll have something to drink and eat these hawks," said the alchemist.
these hawks," said the alchemist. The boy suspected that they were the
The boy suspected that they were the same hawks he had seen on the day
same hawks he had seen on the day before, but he said nothing. "The
before, but he said nothing. "The alchemist lighted the fire, and soon a
alchemist lighted the fire, and soon a delicious aroma filled the tent. "It was
delicious aroma filled the tent. "It was better than the scent of hookers." "Why
better than the scent of hookers." "Why did you want to see me?" the boy asked.
did you want to see me?" the boy asked. Because of the omens, the alchemist
Because of the omens, the alchemist answered. The wind told me you would be
answered. The wind told me you would be coming and that you would need help.
coming and that you would need help. It's not I the wind spoke about. It's
It's not I the wind spoke about. It's the other foreigner, the Englishman.
the other foreigner, the Englishman. He's the one that's looking for you. He
He's the one that's looking for you. He has other things to do first. But he's
has other things to do first. But he's on the right track. He has begun to try
on the right track. He has begun to try to understand the desert. And what about
to understand the desert. And what about me? When a person really desires
me? When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to
something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream,
help that person to realize his dream, said the alchemist, echoing the words of
said the alchemist, echoing the words of the old king. The boy understood.
the old king. The boy understood. Another person was there to help him
Another person was there to help him towards his personal legend. So, are you
towards his personal legend. So, are you going to instruct me? No, you already
going to instruct me? No, you already know all you need to know. I am only
know all you need to know. I am only going to point you in the direction of
going to point you in the direction of your treasure.
your treasure. But there's a tribal war, the boy
But there's a tribal war, the boy reiterated.
reiterated. I know what's happening in the deserts.
I know what's happening in the deserts. I've already found my treasure. I have a
I've already found my treasure. I have a camel. I have my money from the crystal
camel. I have my money from the crystal shop. And I have 50 gold pieces. In my
shop. And I have 50 gold pieces. In my own country, I'd be a rich man. But none
own country, I'd be a rich man. But none of that is from the pyramids, said the
of that is from the pyramids, said the alchemist. I also have Fatima. She's a
alchemist. I also have Fatima. She's a treasure greater than anything else I've
treasure greater than anything else I've won. She wasn't found at the pyramids
won. She wasn't found at the pyramids either.
either. They ate in silence. The alchemist
They ate in silence. The alchemist opened a bottle and poured a red liquid
opened a bottle and poured a red liquid into the boy's cup. It was the most
into the boy's cup. It was the most delicious wine he had ever tasted. Isn't
delicious wine he had ever tasted. Isn't wine prohibited here? The boy asked.
wine prohibited here? The boy asked. It's not what enters men's mouths that's
It's not what enters men's mouths that's evil, said the alchemist. It's what
evil, said the alchemist. It's what comes out of their mouths that is.
comes out of their mouths that is. The alchemist was a bit daunting, but as
The alchemist was a bit daunting, but as the boy drank the wine, he relaxed.
the boy drank the wine, he relaxed. After they finished eating, they sat
After they finished eating, they sat outside the tent under a moon so
outside the tent under a moon so brilliant that it made the stars pale.
brilliant that it made the stars pale. "Drink and enjoy yourself," said the
"Drink and enjoy yourself," said the alchemist, noticing that the boy was
alchemist, noticing that the boy was feeling happier. "Rest well tonight, as
feeling happier. "Rest well tonight, as if you were a warrior preparing for
if you were a warrior preparing for combat. Remember that wherever your
combat. Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your
heart is, there you will find your treasure. You've got to find the
treasure. You've got to find the treasure so that everything you have
treasure so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense.
learned along the way can make sense. Tomorrow, sell your camel and buy a
Tomorrow, sell your camel and buy a horse. Camels are treacherous. They walk
horse. Camels are treacherous. They walk thousands of paces and never seem to
thousands of paces and never seem to tire. Then suddenly they kneel and die.
tire. Then suddenly they kneel and die. But horses tire bit by bit. You always
But horses tire bit by bit. You always know how much you can ask of them and
know how much you can ask of them and when it is that they are about to die.
The following night, the boy appeared at the alchemist's tent with a horse. The
the alchemist's tent with a horse. The alchemist was ready, and he mounted his
alchemist was ready, and he mounted his own steed and placed the falcon on his
own steed and placed the falcon on his left shoulder. He said to the boy, "Show
left shoulder. He said to the boy, "Show me where there is life out in the
me where there is life out in the desert. Only those who can see such
desert. Only those who can see such signs of life are able to find
signs of life are able to find treasure."
treasure." They began to ride out over the sands,
They began to ride out over the sands, with the moon lighting their way. "I
with the moon lighting their way. "I don't know if I'll be able to find life
don't know if I'll be able to find life in the desert," the boy thought. I don't
in the desert," the boy thought. I don't know the desert that well yet.
know the desert that well yet. He wanted to say so to the alchemist,
He wanted to say so to the alchemist, but he was afraid of the man.
but he was afraid of the man. They reached the rocky place where the
They reached the rocky place where the boy had seen the hawks in the sky, but
boy had seen the hawks in the sky, but now there was only silence and the wind.
now there was only silence and the wind. "I don't know how to find life in the
"I don't know how to find life in the desert," the boy said. "I know that
desert," the boy said. "I know that there's life here, but I don't know
there's life here, but I don't know where to look." "Life attracts life,"
where to look." "Life attracts life," the alchemist answered.
the alchemist answered. And then the boy understood.
And then the boy understood. He loosened the res on his horse, who
He loosened the res on his horse, who galloped forward over the rocks and
galloped forward over the rocks and sand. The alchemist followed as the
sand. The alchemist followed as the boy's horse ran for almost half an hour.
boy's horse ran for almost half an hour. They could no longer see the palms of
They could no longer see the palms of the oasis, only the gigantic moon above
the oasis, only the gigantic moon above them and its silver reflections from the
them and its silver reflections from the stones of the desert. Suddenly, for no
stones of the desert. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the boy's horse began
apparent reason, the boy's horse began to slow. "There's life here," the boy
to slow. "There's life here," the boy said to the alchemist. I don't know the
said to the alchemist. I don't know the language of the desert, but my horse
language of the desert, but my horse knows the language of life.
knows the language of life. They dismounted, and the alchemist said
They dismounted, and the alchemist said nothing. Advancing slowly, they searched
nothing. Advancing slowly, they searched among the stones. The alchemist stopped
among the stones. The alchemist stopped abruptly and bent to the ground. There
abruptly and bent to the ground. There was a hole there among the stones. The
was a hole there among the stones. The alchemist put his hand into the hole and
alchemist put his hand into the hole and then his entire arm up to his shoulder.
then his entire arm up to his shoulder. Something was moving there. and the
Something was moving there. and the alchemist's eyes. The boy could only see
alchemist's eyes. The boy could only see his eyes, squinted with his effort. His
his eyes, squinted with his effort. His arm seemed to be battling with whatever
arm seemed to be battling with whatever was in the hole. Then, with a motion
was in the hole. Then, with a motion that startled the boy, he withdrew his
that startled the boy, he withdrew his arm and leapt to his feet. In his hand,
arm and leapt to his feet. In his hand, he grasped a snake by the tail.
he grasped a snake by the tail. The boy leapt as well, but away from the
The boy leapt as well, but away from the alchemist. The snake fought frantically,
alchemist. The snake fought frantically, making hissing sounds that shattered the
making hissing sounds that shattered the silence of the desert. It was a cobra
silence of the desert. It was a cobra whose venom could kill a person in
whose venom could kill a person in minutes. Watch out for his venom," the
minutes. Watch out for his venom," the boy said. But even though the alchemist
boy said. But even though the alchemist had put his hand in the hole and had
had put his hand in the hole and had surely already been bitten, his
surely already been bitten, his expression was calm. "The alchemist is
expression was calm. "The alchemist is 200 years old," the Englishman had told
200 years old," the Englishman had told him. "He must know how to deal with
him. "He must know how to deal with snakes in the desert."
snakes in the desert." The boy watched as his companion went to
The boy watched as his companion went to his horse and withdrew a sim. With its
his horse and withdrew a sim. With its blade, he drew a circle in the sand, and
blade, he drew a circle in the sand, and then he placed the snake within it. The
then he placed the snake within it. The serpent relaxed immediately.
serpent relaxed immediately. Not to worry, said the alchemist. You
Not to worry, said the alchemist. You won't leave the circle. You found life
won't leave the circle. You found life in the desert. The omen that I needed.
in the desert. The omen that I needed. Why was that so important? Because the
Why was that so important? Because the pyramids are surrounded by deserts.
pyramids are surrounded by deserts. The boy didn't want to talk about the
The boy didn't want to talk about the pyramids. His heart was heavy, and he
pyramids. His heart was heavy, and he had been melancholy since the previous
had been melancholy since the previous night. To continue his search for the
night. To continue his search for the treasure meant that he had to abandon
treasure meant that he had to abandon Fatima. I'm going to guide you across
Fatima. I'm going to guide you across the desert, the alchemist said. I want
the desert, the alchemist said. I want to stay at the oasis, the boy answered.
to stay at the oasis, the boy answered. I found Fatima, and as far as I'm
I found Fatima, and as far as I'm concerned, she's worth more than
concerned, she's worth more than treasure. Fatima is a woman of the
treasure. Fatima is a woman of the desert, said the alchemist. She knows
desert, said the alchemist. She knows that men have to go away in order to
that men have to go away in order to return, and she already has her
return, and she already has her treasure. It's you. Now, she expects
treasure. It's you. Now, she expects that you will find what it is you're
that you will find what it is you're looking for. Well, what if I decide to
looking for. Well, what if I decide to stay? Let me tell you what will happen.
stay? Let me tell you what will happen. You'll be the counselor of the oasis.
You'll be the counselor of the oasis. You have enough gold to buy many sheep
You have enough gold to buy many sheep and many camels.
and many camels. You'll marry Fatima and you'll both be
You'll marry Fatima and you'll both be happy for a year.
happy for a year. You'll learn to love the desert and
You'll learn to love the desert and you'll get to know every one of the
you'll get to know every one of the 50,000 palms. You'll watch them as they
50,000 palms. You'll watch them as they grow, demonstrating how the world is
grow, demonstrating how the world is always changing. and you'll get better
always changing. and you'll get better and better at understanding omens
and better at understanding omens because the desert is the best teacher
because the desert is the best teacher there is.
there is. Sometime during the second year, you'll
Sometime during the second year, you'll remember about the treasure. The omens
remember about the treasure. The omens will begin insistently to speak of it,
will begin insistently to speak of it, and you'll try to ignore them. You'll
and you'll try to ignore them. You'll use your knowledge for the welfare of
use your knowledge for the welfare of the oasis and its inhabitants. The
the oasis and its inhabitants. The tribal chieftains will appreciate what
tribal chieftains will appreciate what you do, and your camels will bring you
you do, and your camels will bring you wealth and power.
wealth and power. During the third year, the omens will
During the third year, the omens will continue to speak of your treasure and
continue to speak of your treasure and your personal legend.
your personal legend. You'll walk around night after night at
You'll walk around night after night at the oasis, and Fatima will be unhappy
the oasis, and Fatima will be unhappy because she'll feel it was she who
because she'll feel it was she who interrupted your quest. But you will
interrupted your quest. But you will love her, and she'll return your love.
love her, and she'll return your love. You'll remember that she never asked you
You'll remember that she never asked you to stay because a woman of the desert
to stay because a woman of the desert knows that she must await her man. So
knows that she must await her man. So you won't blame her. But many times
you won't blame her. But many times you'll walk the sands of the desert
you'll walk the sands of the desert thinking that maybe you could have left.
thinking that maybe you could have left. That you could have trusted more in your
That you could have trusted more in your love for Fatima.
love for Fatima. Because what kept you at the oasis was
Because what kept you at the oasis was your own fear that you might never come
your own fear that you might never come back. At that point, the omens will tell
back. At that point, the omens will tell you that your treasure is buried
you that your treasure is buried forever.
forever. Then sometime during the fourth year,
Then sometime during the fourth year, the omens will abandon you because you
the omens will abandon you because you stopped listening to them. The tribal
stopped listening to them. The tribal chieftains will see that and you'll be
chieftains will see that and you'll be dismissed from your position as
dismissed from your position as counselor.
counselor. But by then you'll be a rich merchant
But by then you'll be a rich merchant with many camels and a great deal of
with many camels and a great deal of merchandise.
merchandise. You'll spend the rest of your days
You'll spend the rest of your days knowing that you didn't pursue your
knowing that you didn't pursue your personal legend and that now it's too
personal legend and that now it's too late.
late. You must understand that love never
You must understand that love never keeps a man from pursuing his personal
keeps a man from pursuing his personal legend. If he abandons that pursuit,
legend. If he abandons that pursuit, it's because it wasn't true love. The
it's because it wasn't true love. The love that speaks the language of the
love that speaks the language of the world.
world. The alchemist erased the circle in the
The alchemist erased the circle in the sand, and the snake slithered away among
sand, and the snake slithered away among the rocks. The boy remembered the
the rocks. The boy remembered the crystal merchant who had always wanted
crystal merchant who had always wanted to go to Mecca and the Englishman in
to go to Mecca and the Englishman in search of the alchemist. He thought of
search of the alchemist. He thought of the woman who had trusted in the desert,
the woman who had trusted in the desert, and he looked out over the desert that
and he looked out over the desert that had brought him to the woman he loved.
had brought him to the woman he loved. They mounted their horses, and this time
They mounted their horses, and this time it was the boy who followed the
it was the boy who followed the alchemist back to the oasis.
alchemist back to the oasis. The wind brought the sounds of the oasis
The wind brought the sounds of the oasis to them, and the boy tried to hear
to them, and the boy tried to hear Fatima's voice.
Fatima's voice. But that night, as he had watched the
But that night, as he had watched the cobra within the circle, the strange
cobra within the circle, the strange horseman with the falcon on his shoulder
horseman with the falcon on his shoulder had spoken of love and treasure, of the
had spoken of love and treasure, of the women of the desert, and of his personal
women of the desert, and of his personal legend.
legend. I'm going with you, the boy said, and he
I'm going with you, the boy said, and he immediately felt peace in his heart.
immediately felt peace in his heart. We'll leave tomorrow before sunrise was
We'll leave tomorrow before sunrise was the alchemist's only response.
The boy spent a sleepless night. 2 hours before dawn, he awoke one of the boys
before dawn, he awoke one of the boys who slept in his tent and asked him to
who slept in his tent and asked him to show him where Fatima lived. They went
show him where Fatima lived. They went to her tent, and the boy gave his friend
to her tent, and the boy gave his friend enough gold to buy a sheep.
enough gold to buy a sheep. Then he asked his friend to go into the
Then he asked his friend to go into the tent where Fatima was sleeping and to
tent where Fatima was sleeping and to awaken her and tell her that he was
awaken her and tell her that he was waiting outside. The young Arab did as
waiting outside. The young Arab did as he was asked and was given enough gold
he was asked and was given enough gold to buy yet another sheep. "Now leave us
to buy yet another sheep. "Now leave us alone," said the boy to the young Arab.
alone," said the boy to the young Arab. The Arab returned to his tent to sleep,
The Arab returned to his tent to sleep, proud to have helped the counselor of
proud to have helped the counselor of the oasis, and happy at having enough
the oasis, and happy at having enough money to buy himself some sheep.
money to buy himself some sheep. Fatima appeared at the entrance to the
Fatima appeared at the entrance to the tent. The two walked out among the
tent. The two walked out among the palms. The boy knew it was a violation
palms. The boy knew it was a violation of the tradition, but that didn't matter
of the tradition, but that didn't matter to him now. I'm going away, he said. And
to him now. I'm going away, he said. And I want you to know that I'm coming back.
I want you to know that I'm coming back. I love you because don't say anything,
I love you because don't say anything, Fatima interrupted.
Fatima interrupted. One is loved because one is loved.
One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving. But the
No reason is needed for loving. But the boy continued, "I had a dream and I met
boy continued, "I had a dream and I met with a king. I sold crystal and crossed
with a king. I sold crystal and crossed the desert. And because the tribes
the desert. And because the tribes declared war, I went to the well,
declared war, I went to the well, seeking the alchemist.
seeking the alchemist. So I love you because the entire
So I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you."
universe conspired to help me find you." The two embraced. It was the first time
The two embraced. It was the first time either had touched the other. "I'll be
either had touched the other. "I'll be back," the boy said.
back," the boy said. Before this, I always looked to the
Before this, I always looked to the desert with longing, said Fatima. Now it
desert with longing, said Fatima. Now it will be with hope. My father went away
will be with hope. My father went away one day, but he returned to my mother,
one day, but he returned to my mother, and he has always come back since then.
and he has always come back since then. They said nothing else. They walked a
They said nothing else. They walked a bit further among the palms, and then
bit further among the palms, and then the boy left her at the entrance to her
the boy left her at the entrance to her tent. "I'll return just as your father
tent. "I'll return just as your father came back to your mother," he said. He
came back to your mother," he said. He saw that Fatima's eyes were filled with
saw that Fatima's eyes were filled with tears. "You're crying.
tears. "You're crying. I'm a woman of the desert," she said,
I'm a woman of the desert," she said, averting her face. "But above all,
averting her face. "But above all, I'm a woman."
I'm a woman." Fatima went back to her tent. "And when
Fatima went back to her tent. "And when daylight came, she went out to do the
daylight came, she went out to do the chores she had done for years. But
chores she had done for years. But everything had changed. The boy was no
everything had changed. The boy was no longer at the oasis, and the oasis would
longer at the oasis, and the oasis would never again have the same meaning it had
never again have the same meaning it had had only yesterday. It would no longer
had only yesterday. It would no longer be a place with 50,000 palm trees and
be a place with 50,000 palm trees and 300 wells, where the pilgrims arrived,
300 wells, where the pilgrims arrived, relieved at the end of their long
relieved at the end of their long journeys.
journeys. From that day on, the oasis would be an
From that day on, the oasis would be an empty place for her.
empty place for her. From that day on, it was the desert that
From that day on, it was the desert that would be important. She would look to it
would be important. She would look to it every day and would try to guess which
every day and would try to guess which star the boy was following in search of
star the boy was following in search of his treasure. She would have to send her
his treasure. She would have to send her kisses on the wind, hoping that the wind
kisses on the wind, hoping that the wind would touch the boy's face and would
would touch the boy's face and would tell him that she was alive, that she
tell him that she was alive, that she was waiting for him, a woman awaiting a
was waiting for him, a woman awaiting a courageous man in search of his
courageous man in search of his treasure. From that day on, the desert
treasure. From that day on, the desert would represent only one thing to her,
would represent only one thing to her, the hope for his return.
Don't think about what you've left behind, the alchemist said to the boy as
behind, the alchemist said to the boy as they began to ride across the sounds of
they began to ride across the sounds of the desert. Everything is written in the
the desert. Everything is written in the soul of the world, and there it will
soul of the world, and there it will stay forever.
stay forever. Men dream more about coming home than
Men dream more about coming home than about leaving, the boy said. He was
about leaving, the boy said. He was already reacustomed to the desert
already reacustomed to the desert silence. If what one finds is made of
silence. If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil and one
pure matter, it will never spoil and one can always come back. If what you had
can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like
found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find
the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return.
nothing on your return. The man was speaking the language of
The man was speaking the language of alchemy, but the boy knew he was
alchemy, but the boy knew he was referring to Fatima.
referring to Fatima. It was difficult not to think about what
It was difficult not to think about what he had left behind. The desert, with its
he had left behind. The desert, with its endless monotony, put him to dreaming.
endless monotony, put him to dreaming. The boy could still see the palm trees,
The boy could still see the palm trees, the wells, and the face of the woman he
the wells, and the face of the woman he loved. He could see the Englishman at
loved. He could see the Englishman at his experiments, and the camel driver,
his experiments, and the camel driver, who was a teacher without realizing it.
who was a teacher without realizing it. Maybe the alchemist has never been in
Maybe the alchemist has never been in love, the boy thought.
love, the boy thought. The alchemist rode in front with the
The alchemist rode in front with the falcon on his shoulder. The bird knew
falcon on his shoulder. The bird knew the language of the desert well, and
the language of the desert well, and whenever they stopped, he flew off in
whenever they stopped, he flew off in search of game. On the first day he
search of game. On the first day he returned with a rabbit, and on the
returned with a rabbit, and on the second with two birds.
second with two birds. At night they spread their sleeping gear
At night they spread their sleeping gear and kept their fires hidden. The desert
and kept their fires hidden. The desert nights were cold and were becoming
nights were cold and were becoming darker and darker as the phases of the
darker and darker as the phases of the moon passed. They went on for a week,
moon passed. They went on for a week, speaking only of the precautions they
speaking only of the precautions they needed to follow in order to avoid the
needed to follow in order to avoid the battles between the tribes. The war
battles between the tribes. The war continued, and at times the wind carried
continued, and at times the wind carried the sweet, sickly smell of blood.
the sweet, sickly smell of blood. Battles had been fought nearby, and the
Battles had been fought nearby, and the wind reminded the boy that there was the
wind reminded the boy that there was the language of omens, always ready to show
language of omens, always ready to show him what his eyes had failed to observe.
him what his eyes had failed to observe. On the seventh day, the alchemist
On the seventh day, the alchemist decided to make camp earlier than usual.
decided to make camp earlier than usual. The falcon flew off to find game, and
The falcon flew off to find game, and the alchemist offered his water
the alchemist offered his water container to the boy. You are almost at
container to the boy. You are almost at the end of your journey, said the
the end of your journey, said the alchemist. I congratulate you for having
alchemist. I congratulate you for having pursued your personal legend. And you've
pursued your personal legend. And you've told me nothing along the way, said the
told me nothing along the way, said the boy. I thought you were going to teach
boy. I thought you were going to teach me some of the things you know. A while
me some of the things you know. A while ago, I rode through the desert with a
ago, I rode through the desert with a man who had books on alchemy, but I
man who had books on alchemy, but I wasn't able to learn anything from them.
wasn't able to learn anything from them. There is only one way to learn, the
There is only one way to learn, the alchemist answered. It's through action.
alchemist answered. It's through action. Everything you need to know, you have
Everything you need to know, you have learned through your journey. You need
learned through your journey. You need to learn only one thing more.
to learn only one thing more. The boy wanted to know what that was,
The boy wanted to know what that was, but the alchemist was searching the
but the alchemist was searching the horizon, looking for the falcon.
horizon, looking for the falcon. Why are you called the alchemist?
Why are you called the alchemist? Because that's what I am. And what went
Because that's what I am. And what went wrong when other alchemists tried to
wrong when other alchemists tried to make gold and were unable to do so? They
make gold and were unable to do so? They were looking only for gold, his
were looking only for gold, his companion answered. They were seeking
companion answered. They were seeking the treasure of their personal legend
the treasure of their personal legend without wanting actually to live out the
without wanting actually to live out the personal legend.
personal legend. What is it that I still need to know?
What is it that I still need to know? The boy asked.
The boy asked. But the alchemist continued to look to
But the alchemist continued to look to the horizon, and finally the falcon
the horizon, and finally the falcon returned with their meal. They dug a
returned with their meal. They dug a hole and lit their fire in it so that
hole and lit their fire in it so that the light of the flames would not be
the light of the flames would not be seen. I'm an alchemist simply because
seen. I'm an alchemist simply because I'm an alchemist, he said as he prepared
I'm an alchemist, he said as he prepared the meal. I learned the science from my
the meal. I learned the science from my grandfather who learned it from his
grandfather who learned it from his father and so on back to the creation of
father and so on back to the creation of the world. In those times, the master
the world. In those times, the master work could be written simply on an
work could be written simply on an emerald. But men began to reject simple
emerald. But men began to reject simple things and to write tracts,
things and to write tracts, interpretations, and philosophical
interpretations, and philosophical studies. They also began to feel that
studies. They also began to feel that they knew a better way than others had.
they knew a better way than others had. Yet the emerald tablet is still alive
Yet the emerald tablet is still alive today. What was written on the emerald
today. What was written on the emerald tablet? The boy wanted to know.
tablet? The boy wanted to know. The alchemist began to draw in the sand
The alchemist began to draw in the sand and completed his drawing in less than 5
and completed his drawing in less than 5 minutes. As he drew, the boy thought of
minutes. As he drew, the boy thought of the old king and the plaza where they
the old king and the plaza where they had met that day. It seemed as if it had
had met that day. It seemed as if it had taken place years and years ago.
taken place years and years ago. This is what was written on the emerald
This is what was written on the emerald tablet, said the alchemist when he had
tablet, said the alchemist when he had finished. The boy tried to read what was
finished. The boy tried to read what was written in the sand. It's a code, said
written in the sand. It's a code, said the boy, a bit disappointed. It looks
the boy, a bit disappointed. It looks like what I saw in the Englishman's
like what I saw in the Englishman's books. No, the alchemist answered. It's
books. No, the alchemist answered. It's like the flight of those two hawks. It
like the flight of those two hawks. It can't be understood by reason alone. The
can't be understood by reason alone. The emerald tablet is a direct passage to
emerald tablet is a direct passage to the soul of the world.
the soul of the world. The wise men understood that this
The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a
natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise.
copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a
The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists a world that
guarantee that there exists a world that is perfect.
is perfect. God created the world so that through
God created the world so that through its visible objects men could understand
its visible objects men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels
his spiritual teachings and the marvels of his wisdom. That's what I mean by
of his wisdom. That's what I mean by action.
action. Should I understand the Emerald Tablet?
Should I understand the Emerald Tablet? The boy asked. Perhaps if you were in a
The boy asked. Perhaps if you were in a laboratory of alchemy, this would be the
laboratory of alchemy, this would be the right time to study the best way to
right time to study the best way to understand the Emerald Tablet. But you
understand the Emerald Tablet. But you are in the desert, so immerse yourself
are in the desert, so immerse yourself in it.
in it. The desert will give you an
The desert will give you an understanding of the world. In fact,
understanding of the world. In fact, anything on the face of the earth will
anything on the face of the earth will do that. You don't even have to
do that. You don't even have to understand the desert. All you have to
understand the desert. All you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sand
do is contemplate a simple grain of sand and you will see in it all the marvels
and you will see in it all the marvels of creation.
of creation. How do I immerse myself in the desert?
How do I immerse myself in the desert? Listen to your heart.
Listen to your heart. It knows all things because it came from
It knows all things because it came from the soul of the world and it will one
the soul of the world and it will one day return there.
They crossed the desert for another two days in silence. The alchemist had
days in silence. The alchemist had become much more cautious because they
become much more cautious because they were approaching the area where the most
were approaching the area where the most violent battles were being waged. As
violent battles were being waged. As they moved along, the boy tried to
they moved along, the boy tried to listen to his heart.
listen to his heart. It was not easy to do. In earlier times,
It was not easy to do. In earlier times, his heart had always been ready to tell
his heart had always been ready to tell its story, but lately that wasn't true.
its story, but lately that wasn't true. There have been times when his heart
There have been times when his heart spent hours telling of its sadness, and
spent hours telling of its sadness, and at other times it became so emotional
at other times it became so emotional over the desert sunrise that the boy had
over the desert sunrise that the boy had to hide his tears. His heart beat
to hide his tears. His heart beat fastest when it spoke to the boy of
fastest when it spoke to the boy of treasure, and more slowly when the boy
treasure, and more slowly when the boy stared entranced at the endless horizons
stared entranced at the endless horizons of the desert. But his heart was never
of the desert. But his heart was never quiet, even when the boy and the
quiet, even when the boy and the alchemist had fallen into silence.
alchemist had fallen into silence. "Why do we have to listen to our
"Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked when they had
hearts?" the boy asked when they had made camp that day. "Because wherever
made camp that day. "Because wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find
your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure." "But my heart is
your treasure." "But my heart is agitated," the boy said. "It has its
agitated," the boy said. "It has its dreams. It gets emotional, and it's
dreams. It gets emotional, and it's become passionate over a woman of the
become passionate over a woman of the desert. It asks things of me and it
desert. It asks things of me and it keeps me from sleeping many nights when
keeps me from sleeping many nights when I'm thinking about her.
I'm thinking about her. >> Well, that's good. Your heart is alive.
>> Well, that's good. Your heart is alive. Keep listening to what it has to say.
Keep listening to what it has to say. During the next three days, the two
During the next three days, the two travelers passed by a number of armed
travelers passed by a number of armed tribesmen and saw others on the horizon.
tribesmen and saw others on the horizon. The boy's heart began to speak of fear.
The boy's heart began to speak of fear. It told him stories it had heard from
It told him stories it had heard from the soul of the world. Stories of men
the soul of the world. Stories of men who sought to find their treasure and
who sought to find their treasure and never succeeded.
never succeeded. Sometimes it frightened the boy with the
Sometimes it frightened the boy with the idea that he might not find his treasure
idea that he might not find his treasure or that he might die there in the
or that he might die there in the desert. At other times it told the boy
desert. At other times it told the boy that it was satisfied. It had found love
that it was satisfied. It had found love and riches. "My heart is a traitor," the
and riches. "My heart is a traitor," the boy said to the alchemist when they had
boy said to the alchemist when they had paused to rest their horses. It doesn't
paused to rest their horses. It doesn't want me to go on.
want me to go on. That makes sense, the alchemist
That makes sense, the alchemist answered. Naturally, it's afraid that in
answered. Naturally, it's afraid that in pursuing your dream, you might lose
pursuing your dream, you might lose everything you've won. Well, then why
everything you've won. Well, then why should I listen to my heart? Because you
should I listen to my heart? Because you will never again be able to keep it
will never again be able to keep it quiet.
quiet. Even if you pretend not to have heard
Even if you pretend not to have heard what it tells you, it will always be
what it tells you, it will always be there inside you, repeating to you what
there inside you, repeating to you what you're thinking about life and about the
you're thinking about life and about the world. You mean I should listen even if
world. You mean I should listen even if it's treasonous?
it's treasonous? Treason is a blow that comes
Treason is a blow that comes unexpectedly.
unexpectedly. If you know your heart well, it will
If you know your heart well, it will never be able to do that to you because
never be able to do that to you because you'll know its dreams and wishes and
you'll know its dreams and wishes and will know how to deal with them. You
will know how to deal with them. You will never be able to escape from your
will never be able to escape from your heart. So, it's better to listen to what
heart. So, it's better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you'll never
it has to say. That way, you'll never have to fear an unanticipated blow.
have to fear an unanticipated blow. The boy continued to listen to his heart
The boy continued to listen to his heart as they crossed the desert. He came to
as they crossed the desert. He came to understand its dodgies and tricks and to
understand its dodgies and tricks and to accept it as it was. He lost his fear
accept it as it was. He lost his fear and forgot about his need to go back to
and forgot about his need to go back to the oasis because one afternoon his
the oasis because one afternoon his heart told him that it was happy. Even
heart told him that it was happy. Even though I complain sometimes, it said
though I complain sometimes, it said it's because I'm the heart of a person
it's because I'm the heart of a person and people's hearts are that way. People
and people's hearts are that way. People are afraid to pursue their most
are afraid to pursue their most important dreams because they feel they
important dreams because they feel they don't deserve them or that they'll be
don't deserve them or that they'll be unable to achieve them. We their hearts
unable to achieve them. We their hearts become fearful just thinking of loved
become fearful just thinking of loved ones who go away forever or of moments
ones who go away forever or of moments that could have been good but weren't or
that could have been good but weren't or of treasures that might have been found
of treasures that might have been found but were forever hidden in the sands.
but were forever hidden in the sands. Because when these things happen, we
Because when these things happen, we suffer terribly.
suffer terribly. My heart's afraid it'll have to suffer,
My heart's afraid it'll have to suffer, the boy told the alchemist one night as
the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky. Tell
they looked up at the moonless sky. Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is
your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself,
worse than the suffering itself, and that no heart has ever suffered when
and that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams. Because
it goes in search of its dreams. Because every second of the search is a second's
every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity.
encounter with God and with eternity. Every second of the search is an
Every second of the search is an encounter with God, the boy told his
encounter with God, the boy told his heart. When I have been truly searching
heart. When I have been truly searching for my treasure, every day has been
for my treasure, every day has been luminous because I've known that every
luminous because I've known that every hour was a part of the dream that I
hour was a part of the dream that I would find it. When I have been truly
would find it. When I have been truly searching for my treasure, I've
searching for my treasure, I've discovered things along the way that I
discovered things along the way that I never would have seen had I not had the
never would have seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed
courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve.
impossible for a shepherd to achieve. So his heart was quiet for an entire
So his heart was quiet for an entire afternoon.
afternoon. That night the boy slept deeply and when
That night the boy slept deeply and when he awoke his heart began to tell him
he awoke his heart began to tell him things that came from the soul of the
things that came from the soul of the world. It said that all people who are
world. It said that all people who are happy have God within them and that
happy have God within them and that happiness could be found in a grain of
happiness could be found in a grain of sand from the desert as the alchemist
sand from the desert as the alchemist has said because a grain of sand is a
has said because a grain of sand is a moment of creation and the universe has
moment of creation and the universe has taken millions of years to create it.
taken millions of years to create it. Everyone on earth has a treasure that
Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him. his heart said. We people's
awaits him. his heart said. We people's hearts seldom say much about those
hearts seldom say much about those treasures because people no longer want
treasures because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of
to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later we simply
them only to children. Later we simply let life proceed in its own direction
let life proceed in its own direction towards its own fate. But unfortunately
towards its own fate. But unfortunately very few follow the path laid out for
very few follow the path laid out for them, the path to their personal legends
them, the path to their personal legends and to happiness. Most people see the
and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place. And
world as a threatening place. And because they do, the world turns out
because they do, the world turns out indeed to be a threatening place. So we
indeed to be a threatening place. So we their hearts speak more and more softly.
their hearts speak more and more softly. We never stop speaking out, but we begin
We never stop speaking out, but we begin to hope that our words won't be heard.
to hope that our words won't be heard. We don't want people to suffer because
We don't want people to suffer because they don't follow their hearts.
they don't follow their hearts. Why don't people's hearts tell them to
Why don't people's hearts tell them to continue to follow their dreams? The boy
continue to follow their dreams? The boy asked the alchemist. Because that's what
asked the alchemist. Because that's what makes a heart suffer most, and hearts
makes a heart suffer most, and hearts don't like to suffer.
don't like to suffer. From then on, the boy understood his
From then on, the boy understood his heart. He asked it please never to stop
heart. He asked it please never to stop speaking to him. He asked that when he
speaking to him. He asked that when he wandered far from his dreams, his heart
wandered far from his dreams, his heart press him and sound the alarm. The boy
press him and sound the alarm. The boy swore that every time he heard the
swore that every time he heard the alarm, he would heed its message.
alarm, he would heed its message. That night he told all of this to the
That night he told all of this to the alchemist, and the alchemist understood
alchemist, and the alchemist understood that the boy's heart had returned to the
that the boy's heart had returned to the soul of the world. So what should I do
soul of the world. So what should I do now? The boy asked. Continue in the
now? The boy asked. Continue in the direction of the pyramids, said the
direction of the pyramids, said the alchemist. And continue to pay heed to
alchemist. And continue to pay heed to the omens. Your heart is still capable
the omens. Your heart is still capable of showing you where the treasure is. Is
of showing you where the treasure is. Is that the one thing I still needed to
that the one thing I still needed to know? No, the alchemist answered. What
know? No, the alchemist answered. What you still need to know is this. Before a
you still need to know is this. Before a dream is realized, the soul of the world
dream is realized, the soul of the world tests everything that was learned along
tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is
the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to
evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons
realizing our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward that
we've learned as we've moved toward that dream.
dream. That's the point at which most people
That's the point at which most people give up.
give up. It's the point at which, as we say in
It's the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one dies of
the language of the desert, one dies of thirst just when the palm trees have
thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.
appeared on the horizon. Every search begins with beginner's
Every search begins with beginner's luck, and every search ends with the
luck, and every search ends with the victors being severely tested.
victors being severely tested. The boy remembered an old proverb from
The boy remembered an old proverb from his country. It said that the darkest
his country. It said that the darkest hour of the night came just before the
hour of the night came just before the dawn.
On the following day, the first clear sign of danger appeared. Three armed
sign of danger appeared. Three armed tribesmen approached and asked what the
tribesmen approached and asked what the boy and the alchemist were doing there.
boy and the alchemist were doing there. I'm hunting with my falcon, the
I'm hunting with my falcon, the alchemist answered. We're going to have
alchemist answered. We're going to have to search you to see whether you are
to search you to see whether you are armed, one of the tribesmen said. The
armed, one of the tribesmen said. The alchemist dismounted slowly, and the boy
alchemist dismounted slowly, and the boy did the same. Why are you carrying
did the same. Why are you carrying money? asked the tribesman when he had
money? asked the tribesman when he had searched the boy's bag. I I need to get
searched the boy's bag. I I need to get to the pyramids, he said.
to the pyramids, he said. The tribesmen who were searching the
The tribesmen who were searching the alchemist belongings found a small
alchemist belongings found a small crystal flask filled with a liquid and a
crystal flask filled with a liquid and a yellow glass egg that was slightly
yellow glass egg that was slightly larger than a chicken's egg. "What are
larger than a chicken's egg. "What are these things?" he asked. "That's the
these things?" he asked. "That's the philosopher's stone and the elixir of
philosopher's stone and the elixir of life. It's the master work of the
life. It's the master work of the alchemists.
alchemists. Whoever swallows that elixir will never
Whoever swallows that elixir will never be sick again." and a fragment from that
be sick again." and a fragment from that stone turns any metal into gold.
stone turns any metal into gold. The Arabs laughed at him and the
The Arabs laughed at him and the alchemists laughed along. They thought
alchemists laughed along. They thought his answer was amusing and they allowed
his answer was amusing and they allowed the boy and the alchemist to proceed
the boy and the alchemist to proceed with all of their belongings. "Are you
with all of their belongings. "Are you crazy?" the boy asked the alchemist when
crazy?" the boy asked the alchemist when they'd moved on. "What did you do that
they'd moved on. "What did you do that for?" "To show you one of life's simple
for?" "To show you one of life's simple lessons," the alchemist answered. When
lessons," the alchemist answered. When you possess great treasures within you
you possess great treasures within you and try to tell others of them, seldom
and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed.
are you believed. They continued across the desert. With
They continued across the desert. With every day that passed, the boy's heart
every day that passed, the boy's heart became more and more silent. It no
became more and more silent. It no longer wanted to know about things of
longer wanted to know about things of the past or future. It was content
the past or future. It was content simply to contemplate the desert and to
simply to contemplate the desert and to drink with the boy from the soul of the
drink with the boy from the soul of the world. and the boy and his heart had
world. and the boy and his heart had become friends,
become friends, and neither was capable now of betraying
and neither was capable now of betraying the other.
the other. When his heart spoke to him, it was to
When his heart spoke to him, it was to provide a stimulus to the boy and to
provide a stimulus to the boy and to give him strength, because the days of
give him strength, because the days of silence there in the desert were
silence there in the desert were wearisome. His heart told the boy what
wearisome. His heart told the boy what his strongest qualities were, his
his strongest qualities were, his courage in having given up his sheep and
courage in having given up his sheep and in trying to live out his personal
in trying to live out his personal legend, and his enthusiasm during the
legend, and his enthusiasm during the time he had worked at the crystal shop.
time he had worked at the crystal shop. And his heart told him something else
And his heart told him something else that the boy had never noticed. It told
that the boy had never noticed. It told the boy of dangers that had threatened
the boy of dangers that had threatened him, but that he had never perceived.
him, but that he had never perceived. His heart said that one time it had
His heart said that one time it had hidden the rifle the boy had taken from
hidden the rifle the boy had taken from his father because of the possibility
his father because of the possibility that the boy might wound himself, and it
that the boy might wound himself, and it reminded the boy of the day when he had
reminded the boy of the day when he had been ill and vomiting out in the fields,
been ill and vomiting out in the fields, after which he had fallen into a deep
after which he had fallen into a deep sleep. There had been two thieves
sleep. There had been two thieves further ahead who were planning to steal
further ahead who were planning to steal the boy's sheep and murder him. But
the boy's sheep and murder him. But since the boy hadn't passed by, they had
since the boy hadn't passed by, they had decided to move on, thinking that he had
decided to move on, thinking that he had changed his route.
changed his route. Does a man's heart always help him? The
Does a man's heart always help him? The boy asked the alchemist.
boy asked the alchemist. Mostly just the hearts of those who are
Mostly just the hearts of those who are trying to realize their personal
trying to realize their personal legends. But they do help children,
legends. But they do help children, drunkards, and the elderly, too. Does
drunkards, and the elderly, too. Does that mean I'll never run into danger? It
that mean I'll never run into danger? It means only that the heart does what it
means only that the heart does what it can, the alchemist said.
can, the alchemist said. One afternoon, they passed by the
One afternoon, they passed by the encampment of one of the tribes.
encampment of one of the tribes. At each corner of the camp were Arabs
At each corner of the camp were Arabs garbed in beautiful white robes with
garbed in beautiful white robes with arms at the ready. The men were smoking
arms at the ready. The men were smoking their hookers and trading stories from
their hookers and trading stories from the battlefield. No one paid any
the battlefield. No one paid any attention to the two travelers. There's
attention to the two travelers. There's no danger, the boy said when they had
no danger, the boy said when they had moved on past the encampment.
moved on past the encampment. The alchemist sounded angry. Trust in
The alchemist sounded angry. Trust in your heart, but never forget that you're
your heart, but never forget that you're in the desert. When men are at war with
in the desert. When men are at war with one another, the soul of the world can
one another, the soul of the world can hear the screams of battle. No one fails
hear the screams of battle. No one fails to suffer the consequences of everything
to suffer the consequences of everything under the sun.
under the sun. All things are one, the boy thought. And
All things are one, the boy thought. And then, as if the desert wanted to
then, as if the desert wanted to demonstrate that the alchemist was
demonstrate that the alchemist was right, two horsemen appeared from behind
right, two horsemen appeared from behind the travelers. You can't go any further,
the travelers. You can't go any further, one of them said. "You're in the area
one of them said. "You're in the area where the tribes are at war." "I'm not
where the tribes are at war." "I'm not going very far," the alchemist answered,
going very far," the alchemist answered, looking straight into the eyes of the
looking straight into the eyes of the horsemen. They were silent for a moment.
horsemen. They were silent for a moment. and then agreed that the boy and the
and then agreed that the boy and the alchemist could move along. The boy
alchemist could move along. The boy watched the exchange with fascination.
watched the exchange with fascination. "You dominated those horsemen with the
"You dominated those horsemen with the way you looked at them," he said. "Your
way you looked at them," he said. "Your eyes show the strength of your soul,"
eyes show the strength of your soul," answered the alchemist.
answered the alchemist. "That's true," the boy thought. He'd
"That's true," the boy thought. He'd noticed that in the midst of the
noticed that in the midst of the multitude of armed men back at the
multitude of armed men back at the encampment, there had been one who
encampment, there had been one who stared fixedly at the two. He'd been so
stared fixedly at the two. He'd been so far away that his face wasn't even
far away that his face wasn't even visible, but the boy was certain that he
visible, but the boy was certain that he had been looking at them.
had been looking at them. Finally, when they had crossed the
Finally, when they had crossed the mountain range that extended along the
mountain range that extended along the entire horizon, the alchemist said that
entire horizon, the alchemist said that they were only 2 days from the pyramids.
they were only 2 days from the pyramids. If we going to go our separate ways
If we going to go our separate ways soon, the boy said, "Then teach me about
soon, the boy said, "Then teach me about alchemy." You already know about
alchemy." You already know about alchemy. It is about penetrating to the
alchemy. It is about penetrating to the soul of the world and discovering the
soul of the world and discovering the treasure that has been reserved for you.
treasure that has been reserved for you. No, that that's not what I mean. I'm
No, that that's not what I mean. I'm talking about transforming lead into
talking about transforming lead into gold.
gold. The alchemist fell as silent as the
The alchemist fell as silent as the desert and answered the boy only after
desert and answered the boy only after they had stopped to eat. Everything in
they had stopped to eat. Everything in the universe evolved, he said. And for
the universe evolved, he said. And for wise men, gold is the metal that evolved
wise men, gold is the metal that evolved the furthest. Don't ask me why. I don't
the furthest. Don't ask me why. I don't know why. I just know that the tradition
know why. I just know that the tradition is always right. Men have never
is always right. Men have never understood the words of the wise.
understood the words of the wise. So gold, instead of being seen as a
So gold, instead of being seen as a symbol of evolution, became the basis
symbol of evolution, became the basis for conflict.
for conflict. There are many languages spoken by
There are many languages spoken by things, the boy said. There was a time
things, the boy said. There was a time when, for me, a camel's winnieing was
when, for me, a camel's winnieing was nothing more than winnieing. Then it
nothing more than winnieing. Then it became a signal of danger, and finally
became a signal of danger, and finally it became just a winnie again.
it became just a winnie again. But then he stopped. The alchemist
But then he stopped. The alchemist probably already knew all that. I have
probably already knew all that. I have known true alchemists, the alchemist
known true alchemists, the alchemist continued. They locked themselves in
continued. They locked themselves in their laboratories and tried to evolve
their laboratories and tried to evolve as gold had. And they found the
as gold had. And they found the philosopher stone because they
philosopher stone because they understood that when something evolves,
understood that when something evolves, everything around that thing evolves as
everything around that thing evolves as well.
well. Others stumbled upon the stone by
Others stumbled upon the stone by accident. They already had the gift, and
accident. They already had the gift, and their souls were readier for such things
their souls were readier for such things than the souls of others. But they don't
than the souls of others. But they don't count. They're quite rare.
count. They're quite rare. And then there were the others who were
And then there were the others who were interested only in gold. They never
interested only in gold. They never found the secret. They forgot that lead,
found the secret. They forgot that lead, copper, and iron have their own personal
copper, and iron have their own personal legends to fulfill. And anyone who
legends to fulfill. And anyone who interferes with the personal legend of
interferes with the personal legend of another thing never will discover his
another thing never will discover his own.
own. The alchemist's words echoed out like a
The alchemist's words echoed out like a curse. He reached over and picked up a
curse. He reached over and picked up a shell from the ground. This desert was
shell from the ground. This desert was once a sea, he said. "I noticed that,"
once a sea, he said. "I noticed that," the boy answered.
the boy answered. The alchemist told the boy to place the
The alchemist told the boy to place the shell over his ear. He had done that
shell over his ear. He had done that many times when he was a child and had
many times when he was a child and had heard the sound of the sea. "The sea has
heard the sound of the sea. "The sea has lived on in this shell because that's
lived on in this shell because that's its personal legend.
its personal legend. It will never cease doing so until the
It will never cease doing so until the desert is once again covered by water.
desert is once again covered by water. They mounted their horses and rode out
They mounted their horses and rode out in the direction of the pyramids of
in the direction of the pyramids of Egypt.
The sun was setting when the boy's heart sounded a danger signal. They were
sounded a danger signal. They were surrounded by gigantic dunes, and the
surrounded by gigantic dunes, and the boy looked at the alchemist to see
boy looked at the alchemist to see whether he had sensed anything. but he
whether he had sensed anything. but he appeared to be unaware of any danger. 5
appeared to be unaware of any danger. 5 minutes later, the boy saw two horsemen
minutes later, the boy saw two horsemen waiting ahead of them. Before he could
waiting ahead of them. Before he could say anything to the alchemist, the two
say anything to the alchemist, the two horsemen had become 10 and then 100. And
horsemen had become 10 and then 100. And then they were everywhere in the dunes.
then they were everywhere in the dunes. They were tribesmen dressed in blue with
They were tribesmen dressed in blue with black rings surrounding their turbons.
black rings surrounding their turbons. Their faces were hidden behind blue
Their faces were hidden behind blue veils with only their eyes showing.
veils with only their eyes showing. Even from a distance, their eyes
Even from a distance, their eyes conveyed the strength of their souls,
conveyed the strength of their souls, and their eyes spoke of death.
The two were taken to a nearby military camp. A soldier shoved the boy and the
camp. A soldier shoved the boy and the alchemist into a tent where the chief
alchemist into a tent where the chief was holding a meeting with his staff.
was holding a meeting with his staff. "These are the spies," said one of the
"These are the spies," said one of the men. We are just travelers, the
men. We are just travelers, the alchemist answered. You were seen at the
alchemist answered. You were seen at the enemy camp 3 days ago, and you were
enemy camp 3 days ago, and you were talking with one of the troops there.
talking with one of the troops there. Oh, I'm just a man who wanders the
Oh, I'm just a man who wanders the desert and knows the stars, said the
desert and knows the stars, said the alchemist. I have no information about
alchemist. I have no information about troops or about the movement of the
troops or about the movement of the tribes.
tribes. I was simply acting as a guide for my
I was simply acting as a guide for my friend here. Who is your friend? The
friend here. Who is your friend? The chief asked. An alchemist, said the
chief asked. An alchemist, said the alchemist. He understands the forces of
alchemist. He understands the forces of nature, and he wants to show you his
nature, and he wants to show you his extraordinary powers.
extraordinary powers. The boy listened quietly and fearfully.
The boy listened quietly and fearfully. "What's a foreigner doing here?" asked
"What's a foreigner doing here?" asked another of the men. "He has brought
another of the men. "He has brought money to give to your tribe," said the
money to give to your tribe," said the alchemist before the boy could say a
alchemist before the boy could say a word. And seizing the boy's bag, the
word. And seizing the boy's bag, the alchemist gave the gold coins to the
alchemist gave the gold coins to the chief.
chief. The Arab accepted them without a word.
The Arab accepted them without a word. There was enough there to buy a lot of
There was enough there to buy a lot of weapons. "What is an alchemist?" he
weapons. "What is an alchemist?" he asked finally. "It's a man who
asked finally. "It's a man who understands nature and the world. If he
understands nature and the world. If he wanted to, he could destroy this camp
wanted to, he could destroy this camp just with the force of the wind."
just with the force of the wind." The men laughed. They were used to the
The men laughed. They were used to the ravages of war and knew that the wind
ravages of war and knew that the wind could not deliver them a fatal blow. Yet
could not deliver them a fatal blow. Yet each felt his heart beat a bit faster.
each felt his heart beat a bit faster. They were men of the desert and they
They were men of the desert and they were fearful of sorcerers.
were fearful of sorcerers. I want to see him do it, said the chief.
I want to see him do it, said the chief. He needs three days, answered the
He needs three days, answered the alchemist. He's going to transform
alchemist. He's going to transform himself into the wind just to
himself into the wind just to demonstrate his powers. If he can't do
demonstrate his powers. If he can't do it, we humbly offer you our lives for
it, we humbly offer you our lives for the honor of your tribe. "You can't
the honor of your tribe. "You can't offer me something that's already mine,"
offer me something that's already mine," the chief said arrogantly. But he
the chief said arrogantly. But he granted the travelers three days.
granted the travelers three days. The boy was shaking with fear, but the
The boy was shaking with fear, but the alchemist helped him out of the tent.
alchemist helped him out of the tent. "Don't let them see you're afraid," the
"Don't let them see you're afraid," the alchemist said. "They are brave men, and
alchemist said. "They are brave men, and they despise cowards."
they despise cowards." But the boy couldn't even speak. He was
But the boy couldn't even speak. He was able to do so only after they had walked
able to do so only after they had walked through the center of the camp. There
through the center of the camp. There was no need to imprison them. The Arabs
was no need to imprison them. The Arabs simply confiscated their horses. So once
simply confiscated their horses. So once again, the world had demonstrated its
again, the world had demonstrated its many languages. The desert only moments
many languages. The desert only moments ago had been endless and free, and now
ago had been endless and free, and now it was an impenetrable wall. "You gave
it was an impenetrable wall. "You gave them everything I had," the boy said.
them everything I had," the boy said. Everything I've saved in my entire life.
Everything I've saved in my entire life. Well, what good would it be to you if
Well, what good would it be to you if you had to die? The alchemist answered.
you had to die? The alchemist answered. Your money saved us for three days. It's
Your money saved us for three days. It's not often that money saves a person's
not often that money saves a person's life.
life. But the boy was too frightened to listen
But the boy was too frightened to listen to words of wisdom. He had no idea how
to words of wisdom. He had no idea how he was going to transform himself into
he was going to transform himself into the wind. He wasn't an alchemist.
the wind. He wasn't an alchemist. The alchemist asked one of the soldiers
The alchemist asked one of the soldiers for some tea and poured some on the
for some tea and poured some on the boy's wrists. A wave of relief washed
boy's wrists. A wave of relief washed over him, and the alchemist muttered
over him, and the alchemist muttered some words that the boy didn't
some words that the boy didn't understand. "Don't give into your
understand. "Don't give into your fears," said the alchemist in a
fears," said the alchemist in a strangely gentle voice. "If you do, you
strangely gentle voice. "If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart."
won't be able to talk to your heart." "But I have no idea how to turn myself
"But I have no idea how to turn myself into the wind. If a person is living out
into the wind. If a person is living out his personal legend, he knows everything
his personal legend, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one
he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to
thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve. The fear of failure. I'm not
achieve. The fear of failure. I'm not afraid of failing. It's just I don't
afraid of failing. It's just I don't know how to turn myself into the wind.
know how to turn myself into the wind. Well, you'll have to learn. Your life
Well, you'll have to learn. Your life depends on it. But what if I can't? Then
depends on it. But what if I can't? Then you'll die in the midst of trying to
you'll die in the midst of trying to realize your personal legend. But that's
realize your personal legend. But that's a lot better than dying like millions of
a lot better than dying like millions of other people who never even knew what
other people who never even knew what their personal legends were. But don't
their personal legends were. But don't worry, the alchemist continued. Usually
worry, the alchemist continued. Usually the threat of death makes people a lot
the threat of death makes people a lot more aware of their lives.
The first day passed. There was a major battle nearby and a number of wounded
battle nearby and a number of wounded were brought back to the camp. The dead
were brought back to the camp. The dead soldiers were replaced by others and
soldiers were replaced by others and life went on. Death doesn't change
life went on. Death doesn't change anything, the boy thought. You could
anything, the boy thought. You could have died later on, a soldier said to
have died later on, a soldier said to the body of one of his companions. You
the body of one of his companions. You could have died after peace had been
could have died after peace had been declared, but in any case, you were
declared, but in any case, you were going to die.
going to die. At the end of the day, the boy went
At the end of the day, the boy went looking for the alchemist who had taken
looking for the alchemist who had taken his forc out into the desert. I still
his forc out into the desert. I still have no idea how to turn myself into the
have no idea how to turn myself into the wind. The boy repeated. Remember what I
wind. The boy repeated. Remember what I told you. The world is only the visible
told you. The world is only the visible aspect of God. And that what alchemy
aspect of God. And that what alchemy does is to bring spiritual perfection
does is to bring spiritual perfection into contact with the material plane.
into contact with the material plane. What are you doing? Feeding my falcon.
What are you doing? Feeding my falcon. If I'm not able to turn myself into the
If I'm not able to turn myself into the wind, we're going to die. The boy said,
wind, we're going to die. The boy said, "Why feed your falcon?" "You're the one
"Why feed your falcon?" "You're the one who may die," the alchemist said. "I
who may die," the alchemist said. "I already know how to turn myself into the
already know how to turn myself into the wind."
On the second day, the boy climbed to the top of a cliff near the camp. The
the top of a cliff near the camp. The sentinels allowed him to go. They had
sentinels allowed him to go. They had already heard about the sorcerer who
already heard about the sorcerer who could turn himself into the wind, and
could turn himself into the wind, and they didn't want to go near him. In any
they didn't want to go near him. In any case, the desert was impossible.
case, the desert was impossible. He spent the entire afternoon of the
He spent the entire afternoon of the second day looking out over the desert
second day looking out over the desert and listening to his heart. The boy knew
and listening to his heart. The boy knew the desert sensed his fear. They both
the desert sensed his fear. They both spoke the same language.
On the third day, the chief met with his officers. He called the alchemist to the
officers. He called the alchemist to the meeting and said, "Let's go and see the
meeting and said, "Let's go and see the boy who turns himself into the wind."
boy who turns himself into the wind." Let's the alchemist answered.
Let's the alchemist answered. The boy took them to the cliff where he
The boy took them to the cliff where he had been on the previous day. He told
had been on the previous day. He told them all to be seated. It's going to
them all to be seated. It's going to take a while, the boy said. We're in no
take a while, the boy said. We're in no hurry, the chief answered. We are men of
hurry, the chief answered. We are men of the desert.
the desert. The boy looked out at the horizon.
The boy looked out at the horizon. There were mountains in the distance,
There were mountains in the distance, and there were dunes, rocks, and plants
and there were dunes, rocks, and plants that insisted on living where survival
that insisted on living where survival seemed impossible.
seemed impossible. There was the desert that he had
There was the desert that he had wandered for so many months. Despite all
wandered for so many months. Despite all that time, he knew only a small part of
that time, he knew only a small part of it. Within that small part, he had found
it. Within that small part, he had found an Englishman, caravans, tribal wars,
an Englishman, caravans, tribal wars, and an oasis with 50,000 palm trees and
and an oasis with 50,000 palm trees and 300 wells.
300 wells. What you want here today? The desert
What you want here today? The desert asked him. Didn't you spend enough time
asked him. Didn't you spend enough time looking at me yesterday?
looking at me yesterday? Somewhere you're holding the person I
Somewhere you're holding the person I love, the boy said. So when I look out
love, the boy said. So when I look out over your sounds, I'm also looking at
over your sounds, I'm also looking at her. I want to return to her. And I need
her. I want to return to her. And I need your help so that I can turn myself into
your help so that I can turn myself into the wind. What is love? The desert
the wind. What is love? The desert asked. Love is the falcon's flight over
asked. Love is the falcon's flight over your sands. because for him you are a
your sands. because for him you are a green field from which he always returns
green field from which he always returns with game. He knows your rocks, your
with game. He knows your rocks, your dunes, and your mountains, and you are
dunes, and your mountains, and you are generous to him. The Falcon's beak
generous to him. The Falcon's beak carries bits of me myself, the desert
carries bits of me myself, the desert said. For years I care for his game,
said. For years I care for his game, feeding it with the little water that I
feeding it with the little water that I have, and then I show him where the game
have, and then I show him where the game is, and one day, as I enjoy the fact
is, and one day, as I enjoy the fact that his game thrives on my surface, the
that his game thrives on my surface, the Falcon dives out of the sky and takes
Falcon dives out of the sky and takes away what I've created. But that's why
away what I've created. But that's why you created the game in the first
you created the game in the first place," the boy answered. To nourish the
place," the boy answered. To nourish the falcan, and the falcon then nourishes
falcan, and the falcon then nourishes man. And eventually man will nourish
man. And eventually man will nourish your sands where the game will once
your sands where the game will once again flourish. That's how the world
again flourish. That's how the world goes. So is that what love is? Yes,
goes. So is that what love is? Yes, that's what love is. It's what makes the
that's what love is. It's what makes the game become the fulcen, the fulcen
game become the fulcen, the fulcen become the man, and man in his turn the
become the man, and man in his turn the desert. It's what turns lead into gold
desert. It's what turns lead into gold and makes the gold return to the earth.
and makes the gold return to the earth. I don't understand what you're talking
I don't understand what you're talking about, the desert said. But you can at
about, the desert said. But you can at least understand that somewhere in your
least understand that somewhere in your sand there is a woman waiting for me,
sand there is a woman waiting for me, and that's why I have to turn myself
and that's why I have to turn myself into the wind.
into the wind. The desert didn't answer him for a few
The desert didn't answer him for a few moments.
moments. Then it told him, "I'll give you my
Then it told him, "I'll give you my sands to help the wind to blow, but
sands to help the wind to blow, but alone I can't do anything. You have to
alone I can't do anything. You have to ask help from the wind." A breeze began
ask help from the wind." A breeze began to blow. The tribesmen watched the boy
to blow. The tribesmen watched the boy from a distance, talking among
from a distance, talking among themselves in a language that the boy
themselves in a language that the boy couldn't understand. The alchemist
couldn't understand. The alchemist smiled.
smiled. The wind approached the boy and touched
The wind approached the boy and touched his face. It knew of the boy's talk with
his face. It knew of the boy's talk with the desert because the winds know
the desert because the winds know everything. They blow across the world
everything. They blow across the world without a birthplace and with no place
without a birthplace and with no place to die. Help me, the boy said. One day
to die. Help me, the boy said. One day you carried the voice of my loved one to
you carried the voice of my loved one to me. Who taught you to speak the language
me. Who taught you to speak the language of the desert and the wind? My heart,
of the desert and the wind? My heart, the boy answered.
the boy answered. The wind has many names. In that part of
The wind has many names. In that part of the world, it was called the Sorocco
the world, it was called the Sorocco because it brought moisture from the
because it brought moisture from the oceans to the east. In the distant land
oceans to the east. In the distant land the boy came from, they called it the
the boy came from, they called it the Levant because they believed that it
Levant because they believed that it brought with it the sounds of the desert
brought with it the sounds of the desert and the screams of the Moorish wars.
and the screams of the Moorish wars. Perhaps in the places beyond the
Perhaps in the places beyond the pastures where his sheep lived, men
pastures where his sheep lived, men thought that the wind came from
thought that the wind came from Andalucia.
Andalucia. But actually, the wind came from no
But actually, the wind came from no place at all, nor did it go to any
place at all, nor did it go to any place. That's why it was stronger than
place. That's why it was stronger than the desert.
the desert. Someone might one day plant trees in the
Someone might one day plant trees in the desert and even raise sheep there, but
desert and even raise sheep there, but never would they harness the wind. "You
never would they harness the wind. "You can't be the wind," the wind said.
can't be the wind," the wind said. "We're two very different things."
"We're two very different things." That's not true, the boy said. I learned
That's not true, the boy said. I learned the alchemist secrets in my travels. I
the alchemist secrets in my travels. I have inside me the winds, the deserts,
have inside me the winds, the deserts, the oceans, the stars, and everything
the oceans, the stars, and everything created in the universe. We were all
created in the universe. We were all made by the same hand, and we all have
made by the same hand, and we all have the same soul. I want to be like you,
the same soul. I want to be like you, able to reach every corner of the world,
able to reach every corner of the world, cross the seas, blow away the sands that
cross the seas, blow away the sands that cover my treasure, and carry the voice
cover my treasure, and carry the voice of the woman I love. I heard what you
of the woman I love. I heard what you were talking about the other day with
were talking about the other day with the alchemist. The wind said. He said
the alchemist. The wind said. He said that everything has its own personal
that everything has its own personal legend, but people can't turn themselves
legend, but people can't turn themselves into the wind. Just teach me to be the
into the wind. Just teach me to be the wind for a few moments, the boy said. So
wind for a few moments, the boy said. So you and I can talk about the limitless
you and I can talk about the limitless possibilities of people and the winds.
possibilities of people and the winds. The wind's curiosity was aroused,
The wind's curiosity was aroused, something that had never happened
something that had never happened before. It wanted to talk about those
before. It wanted to talk about those things, but it didn't know how to turn a
things, but it didn't know how to turn a man into the wind. And look how many
man into the wind. And look how many things the wind already knew how to do.
things the wind already knew how to do. It created deserts, sank ships, felled
It created deserts, sank ships, felled entire forests, and blew through cities
entire forests, and blew through cities filled with music and strange noises. It
filled with music and strange noises. It felt that it had no limits. Yet here was
felt that it had no limits. Yet here was a boy saying that there were other
a boy saying that there were other things the wind should be able to do.
things the wind should be able to do. "This is what we call love," the boy
"This is what we call love," the boy said, seeing that the wind was close to
said, seeing that the wind was close to granting what he requested. "When you're
granting what he requested. "When you're loved, you can do anything in creation.
loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there's no need at
When you are loved, there's no need at all to understand what's happening
all to understand what's happening because everything happens within you,
because everything happens within you, and even men can turn themselves into
and even men can turn themselves into the wind, as long as the wind helps, of
the wind, as long as the wind helps, of course.
course. The wind was a proud being, and it was
The wind was a proud being, and it was becoming irritated with what the boy was
becoming irritated with what the boy was saying. It commenced to blow harder,
saying. It commenced to blow harder, raising the desert sands. But finally,
raising the desert sands. But finally, it had to recognize that even making its
it had to recognize that even making its way around the world, it didn't know how
way around the world, it didn't know how to turn a man into the wind. and it knew
to turn a man into the wind. and it knew nothing about love.
nothing about love. "In my travels around the world, I've
"In my travels around the world, I've often seen people speaking of love and
often seen people speaking of love and looking towards the heavens," the wind
looking towards the heavens," the wind said, furious at having to acknowledge
said, furious at having to acknowledge its own limitations. "Maybe it's better
its own limitations. "Maybe it's better to ask heaven." "Well, then help me to
to ask heaven." "Well, then help me to do that," the boy said. "Fill this place
do that," the boy said. "Fill this place with a sandstorm so strong that it
with a sandstorm so strong that it blotss out the sun. Then I can look to
blotss out the sun. Then I can look to heaven without blinding myself."
heaven without blinding myself." So the wind blew with all its strength
So the wind blew with all its strength and the sky was filled with sand. The
and the sky was filled with sand. The sun was turned into a golden disc.
sun was turned into a golden disc. At the camp it was difficult to see
At the camp it was difficult to see anything. The men of the desert were
anything. The men of the desert were already familiar with that wind. They
already familiar with that wind. They called it the simum, and it was worse
called it the simum, and it was worse than a storm at sea. Their horses cried
than a storm at sea. Their horses cried out, and all their weapons were filled
out, and all their weapons were filled with sand.
with sand. On the heights, one of the commanders
On the heights, one of the commanders turned to the chief and said, "Maybe
turned to the chief and said, "Maybe we'd better end this." They could barely
we'd better end this." They could barely see the boy. Their faces were covered
see the boy. Their faces were covered with the blue cloths, and their eyes
with the blue cloths, and their eyes showed fear.
showed fear. "Let's stop this," another commander
"Let's stop this," another commander said. "I want to see the greatness of
said. "I want to see the greatness of Allah," the chief said with respect. "I
Allah," the chief said with respect. "I want to see how a man turns himself into
want to see how a man turns himself into the wind."
the wind." But he made a mental note of the names
But he made a mental note of the names of the two men who had expressed their
of the two men who had expressed their fear. As soon as the wind stopped, he
fear. As soon as the wind stopped, he was going to remove them from their
was going to remove them from their commands because true men of the desert
commands because true men of the desert are not afraid.
are not afraid. The wind told me that you know about
The wind told me that you know about love, the boy said to the son, "If you
love, the boy said to the son, "If you know about love, you must also know
know about love, you must also know about the soul of the world because it's
about the soul of the world because it's made of love." "From where I am," the
made of love." "From where I am," the son said, "I can see the soul of the
son said, "I can see the soul of the world. It communicates with my soul and
world. It communicates with my soul and together we cause the plants to grow and
together we cause the plants to grow and the sheep to seek out shade. From where
the sheep to seek out shade. From where I am, and I'm a long way from the earth,
I am, and I'm a long way from the earth, I learned how to love.
I learned how to love. I know that if I came even a little bit
I know that if I came even a little bit closer to the earth, everything there
closer to the earth, everything there would die and the soul of the world
would die and the soul of the world would no longer exist. So we contemplate
would no longer exist. So we contemplate each other and we want each other and I
each other and we want each other and I give it life and warmth and it gives me
give it life and warmth and it gives me my reason for living.
my reason for living. So you know about love, the boy said.
So you know about love, the boy said. And I know the soul of the world because
And I know the soul of the world because we've talked a great length to each
we've talked a great length to each other during this endless trip through
other during this endless trip through the universe. It tells me that its
the universe. It tells me that its greatest problem is that up until now
greatest problem is that up until now only the minerals and vegetables
only the minerals and vegetables understand that all things are one. That
understand that all things are one. That there's no need for iron to be the same
there's no need for iron to be the same as copper or copper the same as gold.
as copper or copper the same as gold. Each performs its own exact function as
Each performs its own exact function as unique being and everything would be a
unique being and everything would be a symphony of peace if the hand that wrote
symphony of peace if the hand that wrote all this had stopped on the fifth day of
all this had stopped on the fifth day of creation.
creation. But there was a sixth day, the sun went
But there was a sixth day, the sun went on. You are wise because you observe
on. You are wise because you observe everything from a distance, the boy
everything from a distance, the boy said. But you don't know about love. If
said. But you don't know about love. If there hadn't been a sixth day, man would
there hadn't been a sixth day, man would not exist. Copper would always be just
not exist. Copper would always be just copper and lead just lead. It's true
copper and lead just lead. It's true that everything has its personal legend,
that everything has its personal legend, but one day that personal legend will be
but one day that personal legend will be realized. So each thing has to transform
realized. So each thing has to transform itself into something better and to
itself into something better and to acquire a new personal legend until
acquire a new personal legend until someday the soul of the world becomes
someday the soul of the world becomes one thing only.
one thing only. The sun thought about that and decided
The sun thought about that and decided to shine more brightly. The wind which
to shine more brightly. The wind which was enjoying the conversation started to
was enjoying the conversation started to blow with greater force so that the sun
blow with greater force so that the sun would not blind the boy. This is why
would not blind the boy. This is why alchemy exists, the boy said. So that
alchemy exists, the boy said. So that everyone will search for his treasure,
everyone will search for his treasure, find it, and then want to be better than
find it, and then want to be better than he was in his former life. Lead will
he was in his former life. Lead will play its role until the world has no
play its role until the world has no further need for lead. And then lead
further need for lead. And then lead will have to turn itself into gold.
will have to turn itself into gold. That's what alchemists do. They show
That's what alchemists do. They show that when we strive to become better
that when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us
than we are, everything around us becomes better, too. Well, why did you
becomes better, too. Well, why did you say that I don't know about love? the
say that I don't know about love? the son asked the boy. Because it's not love
son asked the boy. Because it's not love to be static like the desert, nor is it
to be static like the desert, nor is it love to roam the world like the wind.
love to roam the world like the wind. And it's not love to see everything from
And it's not love to see everything from a distance like you do. Love is the
a distance like you do. Love is the force that transforms and improves the
force that transforms and improves the soul of the world. When I first reached
soul of the world. When I first reached through to it, I thought the soul of the
through to it, I thought the soul of the world was perfect. But later I could see
world was perfect. But later I could see that it was like other aspects of
that it was like other aspects of creation and had its own passions and
creation and had its own passions and wars. It is we who nourish the soul of
wars. It is we who nourish the soul of the world and the world we live in will
the world and the world we live in will be either better or worse depending on
be either better or worse depending on whether we become better or worse. And
whether we become better or worse. And that's where the power of love comes in.
that's where the power of love comes in. Because when we love we always strive to
Because when we love we always strive to become better than we are. So what do
become better than we are. So what do you want of me? The son asked.
you want of me? The son asked. I want you to help me turn myself into
I want you to help me turn myself into the wind, the boy answered.
the wind, the boy answered. Nature knows me as the wisest being in
Nature knows me as the wisest being in creation, the son said. But I don't know
creation, the son said. But I don't know how to turn you into the wind.
how to turn you into the wind. Then whom should I ask?
Then whom should I ask? The sun thought for a minute. The wind
The sun thought for a minute. The wind was listening closely and wanted to tell
was listening closely and wanted to tell every corner of the world that the son's
every corner of the world that the son's wisdom had its limitations, that it was
wisdom had its limitations, that it was unable to deal with this boy who spoke
unable to deal with this boy who spoke the language of the world.
the language of the world. But speak to the hand that wrote all,
But speak to the hand that wrote all, said the son. The wind screamed with
said the son. The wind screamed with delight and blew harder than ever. The
delight and blew harder than ever. The tents were being blown from their ties
tents were being blown from their ties to the earth, and the animals were being
to the earth, and the animals were being freed from their tethers. On the cliff,
freed from their tethers. On the cliff, the men clutched at each other as they
the men clutched at each other as they sought to keep from being blown away.
sought to keep from being blown away. The boy turned to the hand that wrote
The boy turned to the hand that wrote all. As he did so, he sensed that the
all. As he did so, he sensed that the universe had fallen silent, and he
universe had fallen silent, and he decided not to speak.
decided not to speak. A current of love rushed from his heart,
A current of love rushed from his heart, and the boy began to pray.
and the boy began to pray. It was a prayer that he'd never said
It was a prayer that he'd never said before because it was a prayer without
before because it was a prayer without words or please. His prayer didn't give
words or please. His prayer didn't give thanks for his sheep having found new
thanks for his sheep having found new pastures. It didn't ask that the boy be
pastures. It didn't ask that the boy be able to sell more crystal, and it didn't
able to sell more crystal, and it didn't beseech that the woman he had met
beseech that the woman he had met continue to await his return.
continue to await his return. In the silence, the boy understood that
In the silence, the boy understood that the desert, the wind, and the sun were
the desert, the wind, and the sun were also trying to understand the signs
also trying to understand the signs written by the hand, and were seeking to
written by the hand, and were seeking to follow their paths, and to understand
follow their paths, and to understand what had been written on a single
what had been written on a single emerald.
emerald. He saw that omens were scattered
He saw that omens were scattered throughout the earth and in space, and
throughout the earth and in space, and that there was no reason or significance
that there was no reason or significance attached to their appearance.
attached to their appearance. He could see that not the deserts, nor
He could see that not the deserts, nor the winds, nor the sun, nor people knew
the winds, nor the sun, nor people knew why they had been created,
why they had been created, but that the hand had a reason for all
but that the hand had a reason for all of this. And that only the hand could
of this. And that only the hand could perform miracles or transform the sea
perform miracles or transform the sea into a desert
into a desert or a man into the wind. because only the
or a man into the wind. because only the hand understood that it was a larger
hand understood that it was a larger design that had moved the universe to
design that had moved the universe to the point at which six days of creation
the point at which six days of creation had evolved into a master work.
had evolved into a master work. The boy reached through to the soul of
The boy reached through to the soul of the world and saw that it was a part of
the world and saw that it was a part of the soul of God.
the soul of God. And he saw that the soul of God was his
And he saw that the soul of God was his own soul
own soul and that he, a boy, could perform
and that he, a boy, could perform miracles.
The simum blew that day as it had never blown before. For generations
blown before. For generations thereafter, the Arabs recounted the
thereafter, the Arabs recounted the legend of a boy who had turned himself
legend of a boy who had turned himself into the wind, almost destroying a
into the wind, almost destroying a military camp in defiance of the most
military camp in defiance of the most powerful chief in the desert.
powerful chief in the desert. When the simum ceased to blow, everyone
When the simum ceased to blow, everyone looked to the place where the boy had
looked to the place where the boy had been, but he was no longer there.
been, but he was no longer there. He was standing next to a sandcovered
He was standing next to a sandcovered sentinel on the far side of the camp.
sentinel on the far side of the camp. The men were terrified at his sorcery.
The men were terrified at his sorcery. But there were two people who were
But there were two people who were smiling. The alchemist because he had
smiling. The alchemist because he had found his perfect disciple and the chief
found his perfect disciple and the chief because that disciple had understood the
because that disciple had understood the glory of God.
glory of God. The following day the general bad the
The following day the general bad the boy and the alchemist farewell and
boy and the alchemist farewell and provided them with an escort party to
provided them with an escort party to accompany them as far as they chose.
They rode for the entire day. Toward the end of the afternoon, they came upon a
end of the afternoon, they came upon a Coptic monastery. The alchemist
Coptic monastery. The alchemist dismounted and told the escorts they
dismounted and told the escorts they could return to the camp. From here on,
could return to the camp. From here on, you will be alone, the alchemist said.
you will be alone, the alchemist said. You are only 3 hours from the pyramids.
You are only 3 hours from the pyramids. Thank you, said the boy. You taught me
Thank you, said the boy. You taught me the language of the world. I only
the language of the world. I only invoked what you already knew.
invoked what you already knew. The alchemist knocked on the gate of the
The alchemist knocked on the gate of the monastery. A monk dressed in black came
monastery. A monk dressed in black came to the gates. They spoke for a few
to the gates. They spoke for a few minutes in the Coptic tongue, and the
minutes in the Coptic tongue, and the alchemist bad the boy enter. I asked him
alchemist bad the boy enter. I asked him to let me use the kitchen for a while.
to let me use the kitchen for a while. The alchemist smiled.
The alchemist smiled. They went to the kitchen at the back of
They went to the kitchen at the back of the monastery. The alchemist lighted the
the monastery. The alchemist lighted the fire, and the monk brought in some lead,
fire, and the monk brought in some lead, which the alchemist placed in an iron
which the alchemist placed in an iron pan.
pan. When the lead had become liquid, the
When the lead had become liquid, the alchemist took from his pouch the
alchemist took from his pouch the strange yellow egg. He scraped from it a
strange yellow egg. He scraped from it a sliver as thin as a hair, wrapped it in
sliver as thin as a hair, wrapped it in wax, and added it to the pan in which
wax, and added it to the pan in which the lead had melted.
the lead had melted. The mixture took on a reddish color,
The mixture took on a reddish color, almost the color of blood. The alchemist
almost the color of blood. The alchemist removed the pan from the fire and set it
removed the pan from the fire and set it aside to cool.
aside to cool. As he did so, he talked with the monk
As he did so, he talked with the monk about the tribal wars.
about the tribal wars. I think they're going to last for a long
I think they're going to last for a long time, he said to the monk. The monk was
time, he said to the monk. The monk was irritated. The caravans had been stopped
irritated. The caravans had been stopped at Giza for some time, waiting for the
at Giza for some time, waiting for the wars to end. But God's will be done, the
wars to end. But God's will be done, the monk said. Exactly, answered the
monk said. Exactly, answered the alchemist.
alchemist. When the pan had cooled, the monk and
When the pan had cooled, the monk and the boy looked at it dazzled.
the boy looked at it dazzled. The lead had dried into the shape of the
The lead had dried into the shape of the pan, but it was no longer lead. It was
pan, but it was no longer lead. It was gold.
gold. Will I learn to do that someday? The boy
Will I learn to do that someday? The boy asked.
asked. This was my personal legend, not yours,
This was my personal legend, not yours, the alchemist answered. But I wanted to
the alchemist answered. But I wanted to show you that it was possible.
show you that it was possible. They returned to the gates of the
They returned to the gates of the monastery. There the alchemist separated
monastery. There the alchemist separated the disc into four parts.
the disc into four parts. "This is for you," he said, holding one
"This is for you," he said, holding one of the parts out to the monk. "It's for
of the parts out to the monk. "It's for your generosity to the pilgrims.
your generosity to the pilgrims. But this payment goes well beyond my
But this payment goes well beyond my generosity, the monk responded. Don't
generosity, the monk responded. Don't say that again. Life might be listening
say that again. Life might be listening and give you less the next time.
and give you less the next time. The alchemist turned to the boy. This is
The alchemist turned to the boy. This is for you to make up for what you gave to
for you to make up for what you gave to the general.
the general. The boy was about to say that it was
The boy was about to say that it was much more than he had given to the
much more than he had given to the general, but he kept quiet because he
general, but he kept quiet because he had heard what the alchemist said to the
had heard what the alchemist said to the monk. And this is for me, said the
monk. And this is for me, said the alchemist, keeping one of the parts,
alchemist, keeping one of the parts, because I have to return to the desert
because I have to return to the desert where there are tribal wars.
where there are tribal wars. He took the fourth part and handed it to
He took the fourth part and handed it to the monk. This is for the boy if he ever
the monk. This is for the boy if he ever needs it. But I'm going in search of my
needs it. But I'm going in search of my treasure, the boy said. I'm very close
treasure, the boy said. I'm very close to it now. And I'm certain you'll find
to it now. And I'm certain you'll find it, the alchemist said. Then why this?
it, the alchemist said. Then why this? because you have already lost your
because you have already lost your savings twice. Once to the thief and
savings twice. Once to the thief and once to the general. I'm an old
once to the general. I'm an old superstitious Arab and I believe in our
superstitious Arab and I believe in our proverbs. There's one that says,
proverbs. There's one that says, "Everything that happens once can never
"Everything that happens once can never happen again, but everything that
happen again, but everything that happens twice will surely happen a third
happens twice will surely happen a third time."
time." They mounted their horses.
I want to tell you a story about dreams, said the alchemist. The boy brought his
said the alchemist. The boy brought his horse closer.
horse closer. In ancient Rome, at the time of Emperor
In ancient Rome, at the time of Emperor Tiberius, there lived a good man who had
Tiberius, there lived a good man who had two sons. One was in the military and
two sons. One was in the military and had been sent to the most distant
had been sent to the most distant regions of the empire. The other son was
regions of the empire. The other son was a poet and delighted all of Rome with
a poet and delighted all of Rome with his beautiful verses.
his beautiful verses. One night the father had a dream. An
One night the father had a dream. An angel appeared to him and told him that
angel appeared to him and told him that the words of one of his sons would be
the words of one of his sons would be learned and repeated throughout the
learned and repeated throughout the world for all generations to come. The
world for all generations to come. The father woke from his dream grateful and
father woke from his dream grateful and crying because life was generous and had
crying because life was generous and had revealed to him something any father
revealed to him something any father would be proud to know.
would be proud to know. Shortly thereafter, the father died as
Shortly thereafter, the father died as he tried to save a child who was about
he tried to save a child who was about to be crushed by the wheels of a
to be crushed by the wheels of a chariot. Since he had lived his entire
chariot. Since he had lived his entire life in a manner that was correct and
life in a manner that was correct and fair, he went directly to heaven, where
fair, he went directly to heaven, where he met the angel that had appeared in
he met the angel that had appeared in his dream. "You were always a good man,"
his dream. "You were always a good man," the angel said to him. "You lived your
the angel said to him. "You lived your life in a loving way and died with
life in a loving way and died with dignity. I can now grant you any wish
dignity. I can now grant you any wish you desire.
you desire. Life was good to me, the man said. When
Life was good to me, the man said. When you appeared in my dream, I felt that
you appeared in my dream, I felt that all my efforts had been rewarded because
all my efforts had been rewarded because my son's poems will be read by men for
my son's poems will be read by men for generations to come. I don't want
generations to come. I don't want anything for myself, but any father
anything for myself, but any father would be proud of the fame achieved by
would be proud of the fame achieved by one whom he had cared for as a child and
one whom he had cared for as a child and educated as he grew up. Sometime in the
educated as he grew up. Sometime in the distant future, I would like to see my
distant future, I would like to see my son's words.
son's words. The angel touched the man's shoulder,
The angel touched the man's shoulder, and they were both projected far to the
and they were both projected far to the future. They were in an immense setting,
future. They were in an immense setting, surrounded by thousands of people,
surrounded by thousands of people, speaking in a strange language. The man
speaking in a strange language. The man wept with happiness. "I knew that my
wept with happiness. "I knew that my son's poems were immortal," he said to
son's poems were immortal," he said to the angel through his tears. Can you
the angel through his tears. Can you please tell me which of my son's poems
please tell me which of my son's poems these people are repeating?
these people are repeating? The angel came closer to the man and
The angel came closer to the man and with tenderness led him to a bench
with tenderness led him to a bench nearby where they sat down.
nearby where they sat down. The verses of your son who was the poet
The verses of your son who was the poet were very popular in Rome. The angel
were very popular in Rome. The angel said everybody loved them and enjoyed
said everybody loved them and enjoyed them. But when the reign of Tiberius
them. But when the reign of Tiberius ended, his poems were forgotten. The
ended, his poems were forgotten. The words you're hearing now are those of
words you're hearing now are those of your son in the military.
your son in the military. The man looked at the angel in surprise.
The man looked at the angel in surprise. Your son went to serve at a distant
Your son went to serve at a distant place and became a centurion.
place and became a centurion. He was just and good. One afternoon, one
He was just and good. One afternoon, one of his servants fell ill, and it
of his servants fell ill, and it appeared that he would die. Your son had
appeared that he would die. Your son had heard of a rabbi who was able to cure
heard of a rabbi who was able to cure illnesses, and he rode out for days and
illnesses, and he rode out for days and days in search of this man. Along the
days in search of this man. Along the way, he learned that the man he was
way, he learned that the man he was seeking was the son of God. He met
seeking was the son of God. He met others who had been cured by him, and
others who had been cured by him, and they instructed your son in the man's
they instructed your son in the man's teachings. And so, despite the fact he
teachings. And so, despite the fact he was a Roman centurion, he converted to
was a Roman centurion, he converted to their faith. Shortly thereafter, he
their faith. Shortly thereafter, he reached the place where the man he was
reached the place where the man he was looking for was visiting.
looking for was visiting. He told the man that one of his servants
He told the man that one of his servants was gravely ill, and the rabbi made
was gravely ill, and the rabbi made ready to go to his house with him. But
ready to go to his house with him. But the centurion was a man of faith, and
the centurion was a man of faith, and looking into the eyes of the rabbi, he
looking into the eyes of the rabbi, he knew that he was surely in the presence
knew that he was surely in the presence of the son of God.
of the son of God. And this is what your son said," the
And this is what your son said," the angel told the man.
angel told the man. These are the words he said to the rabbi
These are the words he said to the rabbi at that point. And they have never been
at that point. And they have never been forgotten.
forgotten. My lord, I am not worthy that you should
My lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof.
come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant
But only speak a word and my servant will be healed.
will be healed. The alchemist said, "No matter what he
The alchemist said, "No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a
does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the
central role in the history of the world, and normally he doesn't know it."
world, and normally he doesn't know it." The boy smiled.
The boy smiled. He had never imagined that questions
He had never imagined that questions about life would be of such importance
about life would be of such importance to a shepherd. "Goodbye," the alchemist
to a shepherd. "Goodbye," the alchemist said.
said. Goodbye,"
Goodbye," said the boy.
The boy rode along through the desert for several hours, listening avidly to
for several hours, listening avidly to what his heart had to say.
what his heart had to say. It was his heart that would tell him
It was his heart that would tell him where his treasure was hidden.
where his treasure was hidden. "Where your treasure is, there also will
"Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart," the alchemist had told
be your heart," the alchemist had told him.
him. But his heart was speaking of other
But his heart was speaking of other things. with pride. It told the story of
things. with pride. It told the story of a shepherd who had left his flock to
a shepherd who had left his flock to follow a dream he had on two different
follow a dream he had on two different occasions. It told of personal legend
occasions. It told of personal legend and of the many men who had wandered in
and of the many men who had wandered in search of distant lands or beautiful
search of distant lands or beautiful women, confronting the people of their
women, confronting the people of their times with their preconceived notions.
times with their preconceived notions. It spoke of journeys, discoveries,
It spoke of journeys, discoveries, books, and change.
books, and change. As he was about to climb yet another
As he was about to climb yet another dune, his heart whispered, "Be aware of
dune, his heart whispered, "Be aware of the place where you are brought to
the place where you are brought to tears.
tears. That's where I am, and that's where your
That's where I am, and that's where your treasure is."
treasure is." The boy climbed the dune slowly. A full
The boy climbed the dune slowly. A full moon rose again in the starry sky. It
moon rose again in the starry sky. It had been a month since he had set forth
had been a month since he had set forth from the oasis. The moonlight cast
from the oasis. The moonlight cast shadows through the dunes, creating the
shadows through the dunes, creating the appearance of a rolling sea. It reminded
appearance of a rolling sea. It reminded the boy of the day that the horse had
the boy of the day that the horse had reared in the desert, and he had come to
reared in the desert, and he had come to know the alchemist, and the moon fell on
know the alchemist, and the moon fell on the desert silence, and on a man's
the desert silence, and on a man's journey in search of treasure.
journey in search of treasure. When he reached the top of the dune, his
When he reached the top of the dune, his heart leapt. There, illuminated by the
heart leapt. There, illuminated by the light of the moon and the brightness of
light of the moon and the brightness of the desert, stood the solemn and
the desert, stood the solemn and majestic pyramids of Egypt.
majestic pyramids of Egypt. The boy fell to his knees and wept. He
The boy fell to his knees and wept. He thanked God for making him believe in
thanked God for making him believe in his personal legend and for leading him
his personal legend and for leading him to meet a king, a merchant, an
to meet a king, a merchant, an Englishman, and an alchemist,
Englishman, and an alchemist, and above all for his having met a woman
and above all for his having met a woman of the desert who had told him that love
of the desert who had told him that love would never keep a man from his personal
would never keep a man from his personal legend.
legend. If he wanted to, he could now return to
If he wanted to, he could now return to the oasis, go back to Fatima, and live
the oasis, go back to Fatima, and live his life as a simple shepherd. After
his life as a simple shepherd. After all, the alchemist continued to live in
all, the alchemist continued to live in the desert, even though he understood
the desert, even though he understood the language of the world and knew how
the language of the world and knew how to transform lead into gold. He didn't
to transform lead into gold. He didn't need to demonstrate his science and art
need to demonstrate his science and art to anyone. The boy told himself that on
to anyone. The boy told himself that on the way toward realizing his own
the way toward realizing his own personal legend, he had learned all he
personal legend, he had learned all he needed to know and had experienced
needed to know and had experienced everything he might have dreamed of.
everything he might have dreamed of. But here he was at the point of finding
But here he was at the point of finding his treasure, and he reminded himself
his treasure, and he reminded himself that no project is completed until its
that no project is completed until its objective has been achieved. The boy
objective has been achieved. The boy looked at the sands around him and saw
looked at the sands around him and saw that where his tears had fallen, a
that where his tears had fallen, a scarab beetle was scuttling through the
scarab beetle was scuttling through the sand.
sand. During his time in the desert, he had
During his time in the desert, he had learned that in Egypt, the scarab
learned that in Egypt, the scarab beetles are a symbol of God.
beetles are a symbol of God. another omen. The boy began to dig into
another omen. The boy began to dig into the dune. As he did so, he thought of
the dune. As he did so, he thought of what the crystal merchant had once said,
what the crystal merchant had once said, that anyone could build a pyramid in his
that anyone could build a pyramid in his backyard. The boy could see now that he
backyard. The boy could see now that he couldn't do so if he placed stone upon
couldn't do so if he placed stone upon stone for the rest of his life.
stone for the rest of his life. Throughout the night, the boy dug at the
Throughout the night, the boy dug at the place he had chosen, but found nothing.
place he had chosen, but found nothing. He felt weighted down by the centuries
He felt weighted down by the centuries of time since the pyramids had been
of time since the pyramids had been built, but he didn't stop. He struggled
built, but he didn't stop. He struggled to continue digging as he fought the
to continue digging as he fought the wind, which often blew the sand back
wind, which often blew the sand back into the excavation.
into the excavation. His hands were araided and exhausted,
His hands were araided and exhausted, but he listened to his heart. It had
but he listened to his heart. It had told him to dig where his tears fell.
told him to dig where his tears fell. As he was attempting to pull out the
As he was attempting to pull out the rocks he encountered, he heard
rocks he encountered, he heard footsteps. Several figures approached
footsteps. Several figures approached him. Their backs were to the moonlight,
him. Their backs were to the moonlight, and the boy could see neither their eyes
and the boy could see neither their eyes nor their faces. "What are you doing
nor their faces. "What are you doing here?" one of the figures demanded.
here?" one of the figures demanded. because he was terrified the boy didn't
because he was terrified the boy didn't answer. He had found where his treasure
answer. He had found where his treasure was and was frightened of what might
was and was frightened of what might happen. "We're refugees from the tribal
happen. "We're refugees from the tribal wars and we need money," the other
wars and we need money," the other figure said. "What are you hiding
figure said. "What are you hiding there?" "I'm not hiding anything," the
there?" "I'm not hiding anything," the boy answered. But one of them seized the
boy answered. But one of them seized the boy and yanked him back out of the hole.
boy and yanked him back out of the hole. Another who was searching the boy's bags
Another who was searching the boy's bags found the piece of gold. "There's gold
found the piece of gold. "There's gold here," he said. The moon shone on the
here," he said. The moon shone on the face of the Arab who had seized him, and
face of the Arab who had seized him, and in the man's eyes the boy saw death.
in the man's eyes the boy saw death. He's probably got more gold hidden in
He's probably got more gold hidden in the ground.
the ground. They made the boy continue digging, but
They made the boy continue digging, but he found nothing. As the sun rose, the
he found nothing. As the sun rose, the men began to beat the boy. He was
men began to beat the boy. He was bruised and bleeding. His clothing was
bruised and bleeding. His clothing was torn to shreds, and he felt the death
torn to shreds, and he felt the death was near.
was near. What good is money to you if you're
What good is money to you if you're going to die? It's not often that money
going to die? It's not often that money can save someone's life," the alchemist
can save someone's life," the alchemist had said. Finally, the boy screamed at
had said. Finally, the boy screamed at the men. "I'm digging for treasure." And
the men. "I'm digging for treasure." And although his mouth was bleeding and
although his mouth was bleeding and swollen, he told his attackers that he
swollen, he told his attackers that he had twice dreamed of a treasure hidden
had twice dreamed of a treasure hidden near the pyramids of Egypt.
near the pyramids of Egypt. The man who appeared to be the leader of
The man who appeared to be the leader of the group spoke to one of the others.
the group spoke to one of the others. "Leave him. He doesn't have anything
"Leave him. He doesn't have anything else. He must have stolen this gold."
else. He must have stolen this gold." The boy fell to the sand nearly
The boy fell to the sand nearly unconscious.
unconscious. The leader shook him and said, "We're
The leader shook him and said, "We're leaving."
leaving." But before they left, he came back to
But before they left, he came back to the boy and said, "You're not going to
the boy and said, "You're not going to die. You'll live. And you'll learn that
die. You'll live. And you'll learn that a man shouldn't be so stupid.
a man shouldn't be so stupid. Two years ago, right here on this spot,
Two years ago, right here on this spot, I had a recurrent dream, too.
I had a recurrent dream, too. I dreamed that I should travel to the
I dreamed that I should travel to the fields of Spain and look for a ruined
fields of Spain and look for a ruined church where shepherds and their sheep
church where shepherds and their sheep slept. In my dream, there was a sycamore
slept. In my dream, there was a sycamore growing out of the ruins of the sacry.
growing out of the ruins of the sacry. And I was told that if I dug at the
And I was told that if I dug at the roots of the sycamore, I would find a
roots of the sycamore, I would find a hidden treasure. I'm not so stupid as to
hidden treasure. I'm not so stupid as to cross an entire desert just because of a
cross an entire desert just because of a recurrent dream. And they disappeared.
recurrent dream. And they disappeared. The boy stood up shakily and looked once
The boy stood up shakily and looked once more at the pyramids.
more at the pyramids. They seemed to laugh at him, and he
They seemed to laugh at him, and he laughed back, his heart bursting with
laughed back, his heart bursting with joy,
joy, because now he knew where his treasure
because now he knew where his treasure was.
The boy reached the small abandoned church just as night was falling. The
church just as night was falling. The sycamore was still there in the sacry,
sycamore was still there in the sacry, and the stars could still be seen
and the stars could still be seen through the half-destroyed roof. He
through the half-destroyed roof. He remembered the time he had been there
remembered the time he had been there with his sheep. It had been a peaceful
with his sheep. It had been a peaceful night, except for the dream.
night, except for the dream. Now he was here, not with his flock, but
Now he was here, not with his flock, but with a shovel.
with a shovel. He sat looking at the sky for a long
He sat looking at the sky for a long time. Then he took from his knapsack a
time. Then he took from his knapsack a bottle of wine and drank some.
bottle of wine and drank some. He remembered the night in the desert
He remembered the night in the desert when he had sat with the alchemist as
when he had sat with the alchemist as they looked at the stars and drank wine
they looked at the stars and drank wine together.
together. He thought of the many roads he had
He thought of the many roads he had traveled and of the strange way God had
traveled and of the strange way God had chosen to show him his treasure.
chosen to show him his treasure. If he hadn't believed in the
If he hadn't believed in the significance of recurrent dreams, he
significance of recurrent dreams, he would not have met the gypsy woman, the
would not have met the gypsy woman, the king, the thief, or well, it's a long
king, the thief, or well, it's a long list.
list. But the path was written in the omens,
But the path was written in the omens, and there was no way I could go wrong,
and there was no way I could go wrong, he said to himself.
he said to himself. He fell asleep, and when he awoke, the
He fell asleep, and when he awoke, the sun was already high. He began to dig at
sun was already high. He began to dig at the base of the sycamore.
the base of the sycamore. You old sorcerer, the boy shouted up to
You old sorcerer, the boy shouted up to the sky. You knew the whole story. You
the sky. You knew the whole story. You even left a bit of gold at the monastery
even left a bit of gold at the monastery so I could get back to this church.
so I could get back to this church. The monk laughed when he saw me come
The monk laughed when he saw me come back in tatters. Couldn't you have saved
back in tatters. Couldn't you have saved me from that?
me from that? No.
No. He heard the voice on the wind say, "If
He heard the voice on the wind say, "If I had told you, you wouldn't have seen
I had told you, you wouldn't have seen the pyramids. They're beautiful, aren't
the pyramids. They're beautiful, aren't they?"
they?" The boy smiled and continued digging.
The boy smiled and continued digging. Half an hour later, his shovel hit
Half an hour later, his shovel hit something solid. An hour later he had
something solid. An hour later he had before him a chest of Spanish gold
before him a chest of Spanish gold coins.
coins. There were also precious stones, gold
There were also precious stones, gold masks adorned with red and white
masks adorned with red and white feathers and stone statues embedded with
feathers and stone statues embedded with jewels. The spoils of a conquest that
jewels. The spoils of a conquest that the country had long ago forgotten and
the country had long ago forgotten and that some concistador had failed to tell
that some concistador had failed to tell his children about.
his children about. The boy took out Urim and Thumim from
The boy took out Urim and Thumim from his bag.
his bag. He had used the stones only once, one
He had used the stones only once, one morning when he was at a marketplace.
morning when he was at a marketplace. His life and his path had always
His life and his path had always provided him with enough omens.
provided him with enough omens. He placed Uri and Tumim in the chest.
He placed Uri and Tumim in the chest. They were also a part of his new
They were also a part of his new treasure because they were a reminder of
treasure because they were a reminder of the old king whom he would never see
the old king whom he would never see again.
again. It's true. Life really is generous to
It's true. Life really is generous to those who pursue their personal legend,
those who pursue their personal legend, the boy thought. Then he remembered that
the boy thought. Then he remembered that he had to get to Tarifa so he could give
he had to get to Tarifa so he could give one/tenth of his treasure to the gypsy
one/tenth of his treasure to the gypsy woman as he had promised. Those gypsies
woman as he had promised. Those gypsies are really smart, he thought. Maybe it
are really smart, he thought. Maybe it was because they moved around so much.
was because they moved around so much. The wind began to blow again. It was the
The wind began to blow again. It was the Levant, the wind that came from Africa.
Levant, the wind that came from Africa. It didn't bring with it the smell of the
It didn't bring with it the smell of the desert, nor the threat of Moorish
desert, nor the threat of Moorish invasion.
invasion. Instead, it brought the scent of a
Instead, it brought the scent of a perfume he knew well, and the touch of a
perfume he knew well, and the touch of a kiss,
kiss, a kiss that came from far away slowly,
a kiss that came from far away slowly, slowly
slowly until it rested on his lips.
until it rested on his lips. The boy smiled.
The boy smiled. It was the first time she had done that.
It was the first time she had done that. "I'm coming, Fatima," he said.
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