PART TWO Summary (continued)

**

Summary

The alchemist tells Santiago as they leave the oasis that he shouldn't think about what he has left behind and he repeats that if what he has found on the oasis is pure, it will never spoil and he can always come back to it. They travel by day and at night, the alchemist releases the falcon who finds their dinner for them. They also take extra precautions, because the war continues around them. On the seventh day, as they make camp, the alchemist congratulates the boy, because he is almost at the end of his journey. When Santiago says that he expected the alchemist to have taught him things as they rode along, but the alchemist tells him that there is only one way to learn and that is through action. The boy has already learned everything he needs to know, except for one more thing. When Santiago asks what that is, the alchemist doesn't answer, so Santiago asks him why he is called the alchemist. The answer is: that's what he is; however, he is not like other alchemists who were unable to make gold. They were only looking for the gold without actually wanting to live out their Personal Legends. He still will not tell Santiago the lesson he still has to learn, but just goes on to say that he became an alchemist, because it was a tradition of his family.

Many years before, when his ancestors were alchemists, the Master Work could be written on an emerald. When Santiago asks what is written on the emerald, the alchemist draws a code in the sand. When the boy shows disappointment, the alchemist tells him that it can't be understood by reason alone, but that it is a direct passage to the Soul of the World. He goes on to say that God created the world so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of his wisdom. That's what he means by action. He tells Santiago that if he were in a laboratory, this might be the right time to understand the Emerald Tablet, but since he is in the desert, he should immerse himself in it. All Santiago needs to do is contemplate a single grain of sand and he will see the marvels of creation. The boy needs to listen to his heart, because it knows all things since it came from the Soul of the World and will one day return there.

Notes

This section reinforces the idea that God can be found anywhere. Only through action or the search for one's Personal Legend can we understand the Soul of the World and our part in it. Santiago must continue on and find the final lesson he must learn, because that is action. To do that, he must immerse himself in the desert and find God in the objects there.

**

Summary

As they continue the journey, Santiago tries hard to listen to his heart. When he once again asks the alchemist why he has to do this, he is given the same answer: wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure. The boy is worried, because his heart is often agitated and fearful when they see armed tribesmen. It tells him how horrible it will be if he dies in the desert before he finds his treasure, and then it tells him how satisfied it is, because he has found love and riches.

He thinks his heart is traitorous, because it wants him to go back. But the alchemist says that is natural, because it's afraid that in pursuing his dream, the boy might lose everything. This makes Santiago ask why he should listen to it then. The alchemist tells him that if he doesn't listen to his heart, he will never be able to keep it quiet again. He cannot escape it, so it's better to listen to it. If he knows his heart well, it can never be traitorous, because he will know how to deal with it.

Then, Santiago comes to realize that his heart is happy and that it doesn't want to suffer, if he failed to pursue his dream. The alchemist says, when Santiago tells him his heart is afraid of suffering, that it's the fear of suffering that's worse than the suffering itself, and that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream. Every second of such a search is a second's worth of an encounter with God and eternity.

That night as he sleeps, Santiago is given the truth of what is heart is telling him: all people are happy who have God within them and everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits them. If they fail to seek the treasure, their hearts begin to speak more and more softly. When the heart continues to tell the person to seek out his dream, the heart suffers and so the silence is the result of the heart trying not to suffer. Santiago tells his heart to never stop speaking to him and when he wanders from his dream, he asks his heart to sound an alarm. He swears that every time he hears the alarm, he will heed the message of his heart. The alchemist understands that the boy's heart has returned to the Soul of the World.

The alchemist then advises the boy to continue on to the pyramids and pay attention to the omens along the way. Santiago wonders if this is the one thing he still needs to learn, but the Alchemist says no. The one thing he still needs to learn is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that is learned along the way. It does this to help us master the lessons we learn along the way. This is the point at which most of us give up - the moment just before we realize our treasure. It reminds Santiago of an old Andalusian proverb: the darkest hour of the night is just before dawn.

Notes

In this section, Santiago comes to understand his heart. It is not the organ which pumps his blood, but instead is the well of deepest desires. He wants his heart to know he will follow his dream and the message it gives him. This shows Santiago's determination to achieve what he dreamed of for so long, as well as showing his personal strength of character. He is a good, decent young man, who is determined not to give up and lose the voice of his heart. He is ready to accept the trials the Soul of the World will put him through and master the lessons he must learn. He will not give up - he will pass through the darkest hour and make it to dawn.