+ The tribal chieftain said that he felt sorry for the tribesmen, but +that the Tradition was sacred. He condemned the commander to +death without honor. Rather than being killed by a blade or a bullet, +he was hanged from a dead palm tree, where his body twisted in the +desert wind. +The tribal chieftain called for the boy, and presented him with +fifty pieces of gold. He repeated his story about Joseph of Egypt, and +asked the boy to become the counselor of the oasis. +WHEN THE SUN HAD SET, AND THE FIRST STARS MADE their appearance, the +boy started to walk to the south. He eventually sighted a single tent, +and a group of Arabs passing by told the boy that it was a place +inhabited by genies. But the boy sat down and waited. +Not until the moon was high did the alchemist ride into view. He +carried two dead hawks over his shoulder. +“I am here,” the boy said. +“You shouldn’t be here,” the alchemist answered. “Or is it your +Personal Legend that brings you here?” +“With the wars between the tribes, it’s impossible to cross the +desert. So I have come here.” +The alchemist dismounted from his horse, and signaled that the +boy should enter the tent with him. It was a tent like many at the +oasis. The boy looked around for the ovens and other apparatus +used in alchemy, but saw none. There were only some books in a +pile, a small cooking stove, and the carpets, covered with +mysterious designs. +“Sit down. We’ll have something to drink and eat these hawks,” +said the alchemist. +The boy suspected that they were the same hawks he had seen +on the day before, but he said nothing. The alchemist lighted the +fire, and soon a delicious aroma filled the tent. It was better than the +scent of the hookahs. +“Why did you want to see me?” the boy asked. +“Because of the omens,” the alchemist answered. “The wind told +me you would be coming, and that you would need help.” +“It’s not I the wind spoke about. It’s the other foreigner, the +Englishman. He’s the one that’s looking for you.” +“He has other things to do first. But he’s on the right track. He +has begun to try to understand the desert.” +“And what about me?” +“When a person really desires something, all the universe +conspires to help that person to realize his dream,” said the +alchemist, echoing the words of the old king. The boy understood. +Another person was there to help him toward his Personal Legend. +“So you are going to instruct me?” +“No. You already know all you need to know. I am only going to +point you in the direction of your treasure.” +“But there’s a tribal war,” the boy reiterated. +“I know what’s happening in the desert.” +“I have already found my treasure. I have a camel, I have my +money from the crystal shop, and I have fifty gold pieces. In my own +country, I would be a rich man.” +“But none of that is from the Pyramids,” said the alchemist. +“I also have Fatima. She is a treasure greater than anything else I +have won.” +“She wasn’t found at the Pyramids, either.” +They ate in silence. The alchemist opened a bottle and poured a +red liquid into the boy’s cup. It was the most delicious wine he had +ever tasted. +“Isn’t wine prohibited here?” the boy asked +“It’s not what enters men’s mouths that’s evil,” said the +alchemist. “It’s what comes out of their mouths that is.” +The alchemist was a bit daunting, but, as the boy drank the wine, +he relaxed. After they finished eating they sat outside the tent, +under a moon so brilliant that it made the stars pale. +
+ + +