The Alchemist tells the story of a young boy who is curious to explore the world. Santiago, the protagonist, is a humble shepherd in Spain that wants nothing more than to enjoy life. After having a recurring dream of him finding a treasure and with the advice of a wise man named Melchizedek, Santiago decided to go and seek the treasure and to find his personal legend. Santiago sold his sheep and left to Africa. His first day on the journey was not easy. When he arrived in Tangiers, Santiago was robbed and was left hopeless with no money and no knowledge of the language.
After deciding to move forward, he finds a job at a crystal shop where he met The Crystal Merchant. The Crystal Merchant, like Santiago, once set off to find his personal legend. The Merchant however, gave up and decided to settle. A year passed by, and Santiago wanted to return home. At the last moment, Santiago realized that he didn't want to end up like the Merchant, and instead of returning home he left on a caravan to Egypt to continue his journey. On the caravan Santiago meets an Englishman. The English man is trying to find the Alchemist. The Englishman introduces to Santiago what alchemy is, and expresses his desires to learn the secrets of the world.
They arrive at Al-Fayoum oasis, home of the Alchemist. Upon their arrival, Santiago falls in love with a girl named Fatima. Santiago then discovers love and how it works. Santiago considers staying at the oasis with Fatima, but the Alchemist tells him, he will guide him to his treasure. The Alchemist then goes on and teaches Santiago how to listen to himself and to the world. Once he discovered his connection with the world, Santiago continues his journey. He reaches Egypt, and once more is attacked by robbers. One of the robbers tells Santiago that he too had a dream about a treasure, but the treasure was in Spain. Santiago realizes that all this time, the treasure was hidden in the old abandoned church where he decided to start his journey. Santiago then returns to Spain, and in the place where he used to sleep, he dug a hole. Sure enough, he found a trunk full of gold. Santiago then decides to use this money to live with Fatima and be happily ever after.
After deciding to move forward, he finds a job at a crystal shop where he met The Crystal Merchant. The Crystal Merchant, like Santiago, once set off to find his personal legend. The Merchant however, gave up and decided to settle. A year passed by, and Santiago wanted to return home. At the last moment, Santiago realized that he didn't want to end up like the Merchant, and instead of returning home he left on a caravan to Egypt to continue his journey. On the caravan Santiago meets an Englishman. The English man is trying to find the Alchemist. The Englishman introduces to Santiago what alchemy is, and expresses his desires to learn the secrets of the world.
They arrive at Al-Fayoum oasis, home of the Alchemist. Upon their arrival, Santiago falls in love with a girl named Fatima. Santiago then discovers love and how it works. Santiago considers staying at the oasis with Fatima, but the Alchemist tells him, he will guide him to his treasure. The Alchemist then goes on and teaches Santiago how to listen to himself and to the world. Once he discovered his connection with the world, Santiago continues his journey. He reaches Egypt, and once more is attacked by robbers. One of the robbers tells Santiago that he too had a dream about a treasure, but the treasure was in Spain. Santiago realizes that all this time, the treasure was hidden in the old abandoned church where he decided to start his journey. Santiago then returns to Spain, and in the place where he used to sleep, he dug a hole. Sure enough, he found a trunk full of gold. Santiago then decides to use this money to live with Fatima and be happily ever after.