The Alchemist Chapter 1 Summary

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Santiago finds a tree and falls asleep under it with his sheep. He wakes up and begins to talk to the sheep of a girl he can’t wait to see who he met last year. She is the daughter of the merchant Santiago sells wool to. The story flashes back to describe how Santiago met her while reading a book. She was curious that a shepherd knew how to read and she begins to ask him multiple questions. Santiago avoids most of the questions and instead talks of his travel and stories. The story moves forward to 4 days before Santiago’s visit to the village. Santiago recalls the day he told his father he wanted to travel and how his father told him that travelers see lands but do not change. Santiago begins to wonder what his dreams mean and decides to visit the …show more content…

The child grabs Santiago and brings him to the pyramids in Egypt and says there is treasure there. As the child begins to say where the treasure is the dream ends. The interpreter says she wants ten percent of the treasure when he finds it and Santiago leaves. He rests in the town before he leaves and an old man approaches him. The man talks to Santiago about the book Santiago bought and how it makes people believe the worlds biggest lie that people choose their own fate. The old mans name is Melchizedek and he says he is the King of Salem. The man says he will tell Santiago how to find the map for one tenth of his sheep. Santiago leaves thinking it is a scam and that the old man works with the dream interpreter. Melchizedek starts writing the names of Santiago’s mother and father, names that Santiago told the gypsy. Melchizedek then begins to talk to Santiago about the personal legend. He says that the personal legend is what a person wants to achieve in their life. Melchizedek asks Santiago why he is a shepherd and Santiago says that he wanted to travel. Melchizedek then says he can help Santiago if Santiago gives him some