Summary part 1:
A young shepherd named Santiago arriving at a church, decides to stay the night there He falls asleep using the book that he keeps with him at all times as his pillow. During the night, he has a dream that he has had several times before, a dream he has never been able to understand.
Next day he gets to Tarifa, his last stop before the city where the merchant’s daughter lives, he goes to see an old gypsy woman who interprets dreams, with the hope that she will help him understand his own dream. When explaining the dream, just as the child is about to show Santiago the location of the treasure, Santiago wakes up. The Gypsy woman tells him that this treasure is real and that he must go to the Pyramids, and she charges him one-tenth of this future treasure. After leaving the Gypsy's house,
Santiago sits in a Plaza to read a book, where he meets an old man who is willing to start a conversation. It turns out that the old man has read the book that Santiago was reading. The man reveals himself to be Melchizedek the King of Salem, and he introduces Santiago to what he calls "the world's greatest lie." The World's Greatest Lie states that fate prevents someone from achieving his Personal Legend. Everyone has a Personal Legend, or something which he wanted to achieve his entire life. Unfortunately, fear gets in the way. Melchizedek explains to Santiago that he appears to those who truly want to realize their Personal Legends. Melchizedek seems to be able to read Santiago's mind and promises to tell him about the treasure in his dream if he gives him one-tenth of his sheep.
Santiago sits in a Plaza to read a book, where he meets an old man who is willing to start a conversation. It turns out that the old man has read the book that Santiago was reading. The man reveals himself to be Melchizedek the King of Salem, and he introduces Santiago to what he calls "the world's greatest lie." The World's Greatest Lie states that fate prevents someone from achieving his Personal Legend. Everyone has a Personal Legend, or something which he wanted to achieve his entire life. Unfortunately, fear gets in the way. Melchizedek explains to Santiago that he appears to those who truly want to realize their Personal Legends. Melchizedek seems to be able to read Santiago's mind and promises to tell him about the treasure in his dream if he gives him one-tenth of his sheep.
After the discussion, Santiago decides that his sheep, the merchant's daughter and the fields of Andalusia were just steps on his way to his Personal Legend, and so he decides to sell his flock and gives six to Melchizedek right away. Melchizedek takes the sheep and advises Santiago to always follow the omens, because they are the language of the universe. Melchizedek also gives Santiago two stones, a black stone called Urim means “Yes” and a white stone called Thummim means “No. Santiago buys a ticket from Tarifa to Africa to find his treasure and his Personal Legend.
After arriving in Tangiers, Santiago realizes that his adventure will be a lot more difficult than he expected. The problem is that he doesn't speak Arabic. Sitting in a bar alone, he is approached by a young man who speaks Spanish and offers to help him get to the Pyramids. The young man takes Santiago to buy a camel and steels all of Santiago's money Santiago weeps with despair, but he asks the stones Urimm and Thummim if the Melchizedek's blessing is still with him. They answer 'Yes', and Santiago continues his journey.
Santiago comes across a crystal shop. After he cleans the pieces in the front window, the owner offers him a job. The owner tells Santiago that he will pay Santiago enough to save up for a new flock of sheep and a passage back to Andalusia. Santiago agrees and takes the job.
After arriving in Tangiers, Santiago realizes that his adventure will be a lot more difficult than he expected. The problem is that he doesn't speak Arabic. Sitting in a bar alone, he is approached by a young man who speaks Spanish and offers to help him get to the Pyramids. The young man takes Santiago to buy a camel and steels all of Santiago's money Santiago weeps with despair, but he asks the stones Urimm and Thummim if the Melchizedek's blessing is still with him. They answer 'Yes', and Santiago continues his journey.
Santiago comes across a crystal shop. After he cleans the pieces in the front window, the owner offers him a job. The owner tells Santiago that he will pay Santiago enough to save up for a new flock of sheep and a passage back to Andalusia. Santiago agrees and takes the job.
