Paulo Coelho's Short Story

INTRODUCTION

Paulo Coelho was born in 1947 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to middle-class parents. His father was an engineer and his mother, a homemaker. The family was staunchly Catholic, and Coelho attended a strict Jesuit school until he was seventeen. Although he had no encouragement from his school, early in his life Coelho decided to become a writer,

Coelho temporarily put his dreams of writing on hold to experience the more tangible aspects of life. He dabbled in political activism, opposing the military rule of his homeland. His political voice grew stronger, until he was kidnapped and tortured by a group opposed to the Alternative Society’s agenda.

The experience was unnerving for Coelho, who decided to return to writing. But it had been a long time since he first

Shortly after, he meets an old woman tells Santiago that this dream is prophetic and that he must follow its instructions. He is uncertain if he should do so, as he is comfortable with his life, and likes being a shepard.
Next Santiago meets a mysterious old man who seems able to read his mind. This man introduces himself as Melchizedek, or the King of Salem. He tells Santiago about good and bad omens and says that it is the shepherd boy 's duty to pursue his Personal Legend. Melchizedek then gives Santiago two stones, Urim and Thummim, with which to interpret omens.
Santiago wavers briefly before selling his flock and purchasing a ticket to Tangier, in northern Africa, to which he travels by boat. Shortly after he arrives there, a thief steals all of Santiago 's money, so the shepherd boy decides to look for a way to make enough money to return home. He finds work in the shop of a crystal merchant, where Santiago makes improvements that reap considerable financial