Dipanjan Das's Key Ideas from The Alchemist
by Paulo Coelho

He joins a caravan across the Sahara Desert and meets an Englishman who is looking for an alchemist who lives at an oasis. He learns about the secrets of alchemy and the language of the world, which is expressed through omens. He also learns about the Emerald Tablet, which contains the secret formula for the Master Work, the ultimate goal of alchemy. The Master Work consists of two parts: the Philosophers’ Stone, which can turn any metal into gold, and the Elixir of Life, which can cure any illness and prolong life.

He arrives at the oasis of Al-Fayoum, where he meets Fatima, a beautiful woman who captures his heart. He decides to stay with her and forget about his treasure, but she encourages him to continue his quest and promises to wait for him. He also meets the alchemist, who recognizes him as someone who can achieve the Master Work. He has a vision of an attack on the oasis and warns the tribal chieftains, who prepare for war. The alchemist tells Santiago that he will guide him to the pyramids if he gives him all his gold.

He travels with the alchemist through the desert and faces many challenges and dangers. He is captured by a warring tribe and has to prove himself by turning himself into the wind. He succeeds with the help of the desert, the wind, and the sun, who teach him about love and the Soul of the World. He reaches the pyramids and digs for his treasure, but he is attacked by robbers who beat him and leave him for dead. One of them tells him that he had a dream of a treasure buried under a sycamore tree in an abandoned church in Spain.

He realizes that his treasure was where he started his journey, under the sycamore tree where he had his first dream. He returns to Spain and finds a chest of gold and jewels. He also finds Urim and Thummim, which he had given to the alchemist. He plans to go back to the oasis and reunite with Fatima, having fulfilled his Personal Legend and learned to follow his heart.