"My Heart Is Afraid that it will have to suffer"- this is what the boy said to the alchemist. It was a moonless night and they were lying and looking at the sky. The alchemist replied, that in his opinion being afraid of pain is much worse than suffering itself. What is more, the heart will not suffer if it is on its way to fulfill its dreams.
There are books, which have a power of influencing people's lives. I find 'The Alchemist' one of such books. It is very popular all around the world. About two million copies have already been sold. It appeals not only to Europeans, but for other peoples as well. The book is said to be both modern and classic. Coelho is a skillful writer, who can inspire and enchant readers of many generations. I am positive that future generations will read this book with equal interest as we do.
The main character of the book is Santiago. He is a simple shepherd boy, but he dreams of traveling around the world. He is looking forward to extreme adventures. He makes a journey from his Andalusian village to Tangiers and all the way through the deserts of Egypt. At last he meets the alchemist, which he considers, was his destination.
All along the way, Santiago experiences much. He finds different treasures. The reader following Santiago's journey is taught, how important it is to listen to your heart. His adventures show us that on our way we meet the signs that direct us in life. Most important are our dreams.
