Summary
The alchemist watches from Al-Fayoum as the caravan arrives. The village
around Al-Fayoum buzzes with excitement, but the alchemist has seen many people come
and go so he pays no attention. Omens have made the alchemist aware that someone
traveling with the caravan will learn from him, and the alchemist wonders how
capable his new apprentice will be.
Al-Fayoum, a desert oasis, amazes Santiago. The place appears larger than many
Spanish towns. Curious children crowd the caravan and women accost the caravan’s
merchants. The camel driver tells Santiago that they are safe in Al-Fayoum. Warring
tribes avoid it because mostly women and children inhabit the place. The caravan
leader explains that the group will remain in Al-Fayoum until the war ends, and that
they must hand over their arms and stay in tents with locals and fellow travelers.
Santiago sleeps in a tent with five other young men his age. The next morning, he
regales his roommates with stories of his life as a shepherd in Spain, but the
Englishman interrupts him to ask for help finding the alchemist.
The pair searches all day for the alchemist’s tent without luck. Santiago asks
an old man about the alchemist, and the old man replies that even tribal chieftains
can’t meet with him. Santiago decides to ask one more person before giving up, and
approaches a young woman at a well. As soon as he sees her, he falls deeply in love
with her. The girl introduces herself as Fatima, and explains that the alchemist
communicates with desert spirits and lives in the south of Al-Fayoum. The Englishman
disappears to pursue the alchemist and Fatima leaves after getting water. Santiago
remains where he stands, love-struck.
The next day, Santiago returns to the well, hoping to see Fatima again. He
finds the Englishman there as well. The Englishman explains he waited all day for
the alchemist. When the alchemist finally arrived, the Englishman asked how to turn
lead into gold. The alchemist only responded that he must “go and try.” The
Englishman feels annoyed to get such vague instructions after his long journey, but
he resolves to try.
Fatima arrives after the Englishman leaves, and Santiago tells her he loves
her. As the war drags on and the caravan remains in Al-Fayoum, Santiago meets Fatima
at the well every day. Santiago tells Fatima about his Personal Legend which leads
him to the pyramids, but he says he wants to stay in Al-Fayoum with her. One day,
Fatima tells Santiago that she has been waiting for him her entire life, but insists
that he continue on to Egypt after the war to pursue his Personal Legend. She says
if they are meant to be together, they will meet again.
After this conversation, Santiago seeks out the Englishman and discovers he
has built a furnace. The Englishman explains that he has abandoned his fear of
failure and will attempt the Master Work.
