The Alchemist

That evening, Santiago walks south. He comes across a tent that is “inhabited by genies” (72) and waits outside. The alchemist appears with “two dead hawks over his shoulder” (72). They enter the tent. Inside, the alchemist lights a fire and they talk; Santiago believes that the alchemist is another person “to help him toward his Personal Legend” (73). The alchemist offers to point Santiago toward his treasure; Santiago responds that he is already a rich man and he already has Fatima. They drink wine and Santiago relaxes. The alchemist tells him to rest and, the next day, to swap his camel for a horse because “camels are traitorous” (73).

The next night, Santiago returns with a horse. The alchemist demands that Santiago “show [him] where there is life out in the desert” (74) and they ride together. Santiago struggles and the alchemist tells him that “life attracts life” (74). Santiago rides until his horse slows, trusting that the animal knows the language of life. They inspect the desert and the alchemist drags a cobra from a hole. He uses his scimitar to etch a circle in the sand, which he uses to encase the cobra.