The Philosopher's Stone...Did I miss Hogwarts Express?

Alchemy-[al-kuh-mee] -a form of chemistry and speculative philosophy practiced in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and concerned principally with discovering methods for transmuting baser metals into gold and with finding a universal solvent and an elixir of life.


Up until this point, I had forgotten that the book was called, The Alchemist, because there have been no references to the title. After leaving his work with the crystal shop merchant, Santiago has enough money to buy new sheep and return home. However, he decides that he still must see the pyramids and the treasure while he has the chance. Santiago joins a caravan to the desert and this is where he meets the English alchemist who has joined the caravan because he seeks to find the Philosopher's Stone aka the Elxir of Life aka a 200 year old man who can turn any metal into gold. After his experience with the cyrstal merchant, Santiago realizes that not every person who realizes his personal legend wants to fulfill it. Although the crystal merchant says that his is going to Mecca, he believes that if he fulfills this dream then he will have no reason to live. I think the crystal merchant's dream is to be rich and famous. When Santiago helps him get his business flourishing again, the crystal merchant seems content and won't travel to Mecca even though he has enough money to make the trip. Perhaps, he is afraid that his dream will be a disappointment.