Achieving one's personal legend is fraught with difficulty and challenges for everyone. Following your desires is going to have unexpected hurdles that must be surmounted. The tribal war is just one of the many hurdles that Santiago faces. Santiago is able to assist in the tribal wars because he is in touch with the Soul of the World. If he ignores the omens that he receives through this connection, he risks severing it all together. That is why he is compelled to risk his life by taking part in this conflict. Paulo Coelho uses tribal war as an allegory for the dangers and risks undertaken in pursuing a personal legend.
Personal legends are just that, personal. While Santiago receives help from many others in order to pursue his personal legend, it can only be achieved by him alone. That is why the alchemist, after teaching Santiago what he can, leaves...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
him to reach the pyramids all by himself.
The alchemist tells Santiago a story about the Roman Emperor Tiberius. One night an angel came to Tiberius and told him that the words of one of his sons will live on for generations. One of Tiberius's sons is a poet so naturally he thinks that the angel is referring to him, rather than his other son, a soldier.
But after Tiberius dies and his spirit meets up with the angel again he is surprised to discover that it was the words of his soldier son, a Roman centurion whose servant was healed by Christ, that have lived on:
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. (Matthew 8:8 KJV)
The moral of this fable explains why Santiago must encounter the dangers of a tribal war before arriving at the pyramids. Like the Roman centurion, Santiago is living out his Personal Legend and in doing so he is serving the Soul of The World. What matters in life is not getting what you expect but instead following your desires, irrespective of risk. Doing so will lead to unexpected outcomes, and you will be serving a higher purpose.
But this can only be done by the individual. Everyone has their own Personal Legend and must achieve their dreams by themselves. Yet this is not mere selfishness; the alchemist leaves Santiago to live out his dreams safe in the knowledge that in doing so, Santiago will light the way for others to fulfill their own desires.