A fable is defined as "a short, allegorical narrative making a moral point, traditionally by means of animal characters who speak and act like human beings." The Alchemist is certainly reminiscent of this form of writing, although the main character is a boy, Santiago, who embarks on a journey to find a great treasure.
Santiago, a sheep herder, loves his lifestyle. He knows the habits and routines of his sheep and is able to travel extensively which he really enjoys. On the way to finding the girl of his dreams, he consults a gypsy, then meets a stranger who inspire him to travel to Egypt to find a great treasure. In the midst of this journey to the great pyramids, the boy experiences many hardships and learns important life lessons. He ultimately realizes that the great treasure he was seeking had always been right in front of him.
In our search to fulfill our destiny or find our personal calling, we must take the time to appreciate the small things in life - the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, the colours of the leaves in autumn, the joy on our children's faces when we spend time with them. Life goes by so quickly, our children grow up all too soon and we spend our lives working so hard we don't take the time to enjoy what we already have. Now is the time to change our hectic lifestyle and adopt a new attitude of living in the present. We need to relax, slow down, refuse unnecessary commitments that burden our spirit. Only then, will we find true happiness - the great treasure that already lies within each one of us.
No comments:
Post a Comment