The Book of Dreams

“Every few decades a book is published that changes the lives of its readers forever. The Alchemist is such a book. You must read it.” One of my High School Teachers told me these words. I had forgotten those words and the book. But after a glimpse through the PTC Mysore library i found the book. I decided to give it a try and the experience was amazing.

Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” tell us the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy who is trying to find a treasure. It is an allegorical novel. It tries to communicate valuable messages to the readers metaphorically by using characters.  Through the story of the shepherd who went all the way back to the Egyptian pyramids to find his treasure the book inspires us to follow our heart and realise our dreams.

Santiago is an Andalusian shepherd boy. His parents wanted him to be a priest. But he decides to follow his heart and become a shepherd instead as he loves travelling. He had a recurrent dream of a treasure which he could find near the Pyramids in Egypt. The boy encounters a king who tells him to follow his dream as it is the true destiny of every person. He sells his sheep and travels to Tangier where he gets robbed and is forced to work at a crystal shop. But after saving up money again the boy decides to pursue his dream and travels through the desert. At the Egyptian desert he encounters the Alchemist.

The story teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path and above all following our dreams. The book has many messages for the reader. It tells us that if you really want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.         

The book had a life enhancing effect on me. It gave me hope and inspired me to follow my dreams. Thank you, Paulo Coelho.