Personal Narrative: Lessons Learned In The Alchemist

When people set goals in life, they tend to learn lessons along the way. In The Alchemist, a boy named Santiago has a goal of finding treasure near the pyramids in Egypt. On his journey, he meets people who teach him about life and ways to reach goals. Santiago learned from a merchant, an Englishman, and an alchemist. One thing that he learned that stood out to me the most was: “before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way (Coelho 132).” That stood out to me because it is true, it has happened to me and it happened to Santiago.
When Santiago was traveling to the pyramids with the alchemist, they were stopped by some tribesmen who were in the middle of a tribal war. Upon discovering great

treasures that the alchemist owned, the tribesmen didn’t believe him and just laughed. When Santiago asked why they laughed, the alchemist explained, “When you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed (Coelho 134).” Later on, when Santiago was at the pyramids searching for his treasure, he got robbed and beat up. The robbers asked what he was doing, but he refused to say anything at first. Then he remembered the alchemist’s lesson, so he told the robbers that he was digging for treasure. They refused to believe him. Santiago was glad he was tested on that lesson, as it saved his life and led him to his treasure.
In my life, I am constantly tested on lessons I have learned whether it is in school or just on lessons my parents have taught me while growing up.

One of the lessons that I am tested on repeatedly is, “never give up.” A lot of times in life, I am so close to reaching a goal, like getting an A in a class, but I have one test left, and it is the longest, hardest test of the year. Walking into the classroom, I am thinking to myself, “How will I ever pass this test, I barely studied and I do not know much of the information.” But I never give up; I always try my hardest and do my best. If I am not tested on lessons that I have learned, then what is the purpose of me learning them? Are those lessons just useless knowledge? No, they are tools for life, and I am glad that I get tested on them, because without those tests, I would not survive in this world.
In conclusion, Paulo Coelho’s, The Alchemist, teaches many lessons and gives off many ideas. Many of the ideas from this story have helped Santiago along his journey, and now I hope to use them to my advantage as I begin my journey. Being tested on lessons may seem tough, but that is how we get places in life. I know that I can not sit back and have things handed to me, but that I must work until I get what I want. But to get to that point, I will have to remember Coelho’s most inspiring ideas, I will not reach any goal in my life without being tested on lessons I have learned along the

way.