14
2. Determined
Santiago keeps trying to realize what he wants. His determination can be seen from his past life. He keeps telling his father that he really wants to travel
even though his father thinks that he does not need to travel. According to his father, it is because their countryside is the best and people who see it want to stay
there forever. “People from all over the world have passed through this village, son,”
said his father. “They come in search of new things, but when they leave they are basically the same people they were when they arrived. They
climbed the mountain to see the castle, and they wind up thinking that the past was better that what we have now. They have blond hair, or dark skin,
but basically they’re the same people who live right here.” “But I’d like to see the castles in the towns where they live,” the boy
explained. “Those people, when they see our land, say that they would like to live
here forever,” his father continued. “Well, I’d like to see their land and see how they live,” said his son.
“The people who come here have a lot of money to spend, so they can afford to travel,” his father said. “Among us, the only one who travel are
shepherds.” “Well then I’ll be a shepherd”
His father said no more. The next day he gave his son a pouch that held three ancient Spanish gold coins p. 9.
Another example of his determination is seen from his reaction to the crystal merchant’s offer to buy a return ticket to Spain. After losing all of his
money, he knows from the merchant that he needs a lot of money to get to Egypt because the distance between Tangier and Egypt is so far. To accept the offer
from the crystal merchant means that he gives up facing the difficult situation. Instead of receiving money from the merchant and going back to Spain, Santiago
wants to work at the crystal shop to buy sheep.
15 There was a moment of silence so profound that it seemed the city was
asleep... He sat there, staring blankly through the door of the cafe, wishing that he had died, and that everything would end forever at that moment.
The merchant looked anxiously at the boy. All the joy he had seen that morning had suddenly disappeared.
“I can give you the money you need to get back to your country, my son,” said the crystal merchant.
The boy said nothing. He got up, adjusted his clothing, and picked up his pouch.
“I’ll work for you,” he said. And after another silence, he added, “I need money to buy some sheep”
pp. 49-50.
3. Optimistic
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