The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho (B1 Level)

ULTIMATE READING

TEACHER IGNACIO CHAVEZ

9/6/20252 min read

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho has been inspiring readers around the world for many years. It tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd from Spain who has been dreaming of finding a treasure near the Pyramids of Egypt. Since that dream, he has been believing that his destiny is to follow it.

Santiago has been learning that every journey begins with a dream and continues with faith, courage, and love. Through his travels, he has been growing wiser and more connected to the world around him.

Santiago’s Journey

Santiago had been living a simple life as a shepherd when he had started hearing a voice in his dreams telling him about treasure. He had been thinking about it for days until he finally decided to sell his sheep and go on an adventure.

Along his path, Santiago had been meeting many people — a king, a thief, a crystal merchant, an Englishman, and finally The Alchemist — each one teaching him something important. By the time he reached the desert, he had already been changing inside; he had been learning patience, faith, and strength.

Main Ideas

  • Follow your dreams: Santiago has been showing us that chasing a dream gives life meaning.

  • Learn from the journey: The lessons we gain during the journey have been shaping who we are more than the destination itself.

  • Listen to your heart: Santiago has been trusting his heart, even when it has been leading him through fear and doubt.

  • Don’t give up: Santiago had been facing many challenges but never stopped believing in his dream.

  • The treasure is inside you: By the end, Santiago has been realizing that the greatest treasure is not gold, but wisdom, love, and transformation.

Motivational Quotes

  • “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
    The universe has been helping those who follow their true purpose.

  • “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
    Dreams have been giving people hope and meaning throughout their lives.

  • “One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”
    Love has always been guiding Santiago on his path.

  • “Don’t give in to fear.”
    Fear has been stopping many from reaching their destiny, but courage has been leading the brave forward.

Santiago’s Discovery

At the end of his journey, Santiago has been discovering that the treasure was not in Egypt but back in Spain, where he first had been dreaming of it. However, he is not sad — he has been feeling grateful because the journey has been changing him forever. He has been becoming wiser, stronger, and full of love.

Final Message

The Alchemist has been teaching readers that the real treasure is the journey itself. Santiago’s adventure has been reminding us that:

  1. Dreams have been giving meaning to our lives.

  2. Love has been helping us grow.

  3. The journey has been transforming us from the inside.

  4. Faith and courage have been opening the way to our destiny.

If you follow your heart and believe in your dreams, you will have been creating your own path to happiness and wisdom.

“When you follow your dream, life will have been guiding you to the treasure within yourself.”