Not many days
ago, a friend of mine told me it was fresh to find me reading literature. May
be just the compliment I needed to buy myself a jewel. Probably the cheapest
one I’d ever imagine. As flipkart keeps its word and delivers it in 4 working
days, I ripped of the package and there it sat. Nearly 200 pages, paper-bound with
brown letters shining when light knocked them at an obtuse angle. Unlike many, who would lock up their jewels
in a cast iron safe, I decided to keep it with me till I’m done with it. So,
there I was, walking, tossing, turning and twisting my body as my eyes and mind
refused to unlock themselves from the
bold letters of the book.
His name was
Santiago, a shepherd. With his wandering soul was I, peeking into whatever he
saw and figure out what he was seeing. Meeting people he came across, asking
them if they’d ever meet him again. Travelling with him wherever he went,
looking around to see if he was close to where he wished to go. I just couldn’t
pull back. He did not let me. I had to make the journey. A ride that was worth
a pat on my back. I could learn more than what a 60 year old Baba tries to
teach his followers.
Santiago did
have a lot of questions. That was the reason he decided to be a shepherd, so he
could find answers to his questions. Fuelled by merely a dream, which looked absurd
to many, he was passing through fields, forts and continents and ultimately the
desert where he met the person who was looking for him. He was eager and equipped
to answer all his questions and lead Santiago to something that cost him a
fortune. His destiny.
Many feel
their destiny asks them to yield to what life has to offer you. But Santiago
felt he had something to offer his life. The dream. That was his destiny. He
wanted it badly. So badly that the whole universe had conspired to help him
realize it. Santiago did realize his destiny, but more importantly, he made the
journey.
Santiago was
done.
I was happy
for him and for myself having made the journey with him.
There I was,
sitting with awe and admiration, wondering if it was the end and hoping it wasn’t.
It was.
I could do
nothing that just get up, close the book, and take a deep breath, having spent
200 bucks in the most efficient way ever, reading the bold brown talismanic words
for one last time.....
“THE ALCHEMIST”
Written by Paulo Coelho
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