In the story The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, Santiago does not walk through the desert. He and the Englishman have camels on which to travel. However, if you are asking why Coelho requires Santiago's character to cross the desert, I would say that it is because the boy still has much to learn.
By the time Santiago starts his journey across the desert, he has shown a great deal of personal growth. He is aware of the quest necessary to discover one's Personal Legend, and he is aware also of the Language of...
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