Page 8 - The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

“In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path
for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you.”

“Take these,” said the old man, holding out a white stone and a black stone that had been
embedded at the center of the breastplate. “They are called Urim and Thummim. The
black signifies ‘yes,’ and the white ‘no.’ When you are unable to read the omens, they
will help you to do so. Always ask an objective question.

“But, if you can, try to make your own decisions. The treasure is at the Pyramids; that
you already knew. But I had to insist on the payment of six sheep because I helped you to
make your
decision.“

“Don’t forget that everything you deal with is only one thing and nothing else. And don’t
forget the language of omens, And, above all, don’t forget to follow your Personal
Legend through to its conclusion.”

“But before I go, I want to tell you a little story.

“A certain shopkeeper sent his son to learn about the secret of happiness from the wisest
man in the world. The lad wandered through the desert for forty days, and finally came
upon a beautiful castle, high atop a mountain. It was there that the wise man lived.

“Rather than finding a saintly man, though, our hero, on entering the main room of the
castle, saw a hive of activity: tradesmen came and went, people were conversing in the
corners, a small orchestra was playing soft music, and there was a table covered with
platters of the most delicious food in that part of the world. The wise man conversed with
every one, and the boy had to wait for two hours before it was his turn to be given the
man’s attention.

“The wise man listened attentively to the boy’s explanation of why he had come, but told
him that he didn’t have time just then to explain the secret of happiness. He suggested
that the boy look around the palace and return in two hours.

“‘Meanwhile, I want to ask you to do something,’ said the wise man, handing the boy a
teaspoon that held two drops of oil. ‘As you wander around, carry this spoon with you
without allowing the oil to spill.’

“The boy began climbing and descending the many stairways of the palace, keeping his
eyes fixed on the spoon. After two hours, he returned to the room where the wise man
was.

“‘Well,’ asked the wise man, ‘did you see the Persian tapestries that are hanging in my
dining hall? Did you see the garden that it took the master gardener ten years to create?