+ “For several reasons. But let’s say that the most important is that + you have succeeded in discovering your Personal Legend.” + The boy didn’t know what a person’s “Personal Legend” was. + “It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, + when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. + “At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is + possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything + they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time + passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be + impossible for them to realize their Personal Legend.” + None of what the old man was saying made much sense to the + boy. But he wanted to know what the “mysterious force” was; the + merchant’s daughter would be impressed when he told her about + that! + “It’s a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you + how to realize your Personal Legend. It prepares your spirit and + your will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever + you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want + something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the + universe. It’s your mission on earth.” + “Even when all you want to do is travel? Or marry the daughter + of a textile merchant?” + “Yes, or even search for treasure. The Soul of the World is + nourished by people’s happiness. And also by unhappiness, envy, + and jealousy. To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only + real obligation. All things are one. + “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in + helping you to achieve it.” + They were both silent for a time, observing the plaza and the + townspeople. It was the old man who spoke first. + “Why do you tend a flock of sheep?” + “Because I like to travel.” + The old man pointed to a baker standing in his shop window at + one corner of the plaza. “When he was a child, that man wanted to + travel, too. But he decided first to buy his bakery and put some + money aside. When he’s an old man, he’s going to spend a month in + Africa. He never realized that people are capable, at any time in + their lives, of doing what they dream of.” + “He should have decided to become a shepherd,” the boy said. + “Well, he thought about that,” the old man said. “But bakers are + more important people than shepherds. Bakers have homes, while + shepherds sleep out in the open. Parents would rather see their + children marry bakers than shepherds.” + The boy felt a pang in his heart, thinking about the merchant’s + daughter. There was surely a baker in her town. + The old man continued, “In the long run, what people think + about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them + than their own Personal Legends.” + The old man leafed through the book, and fell to reading a page + he came to. The boy waited, and then interrupted the old man just + as he himself had been interrupted. “Why are you telling me all + this?” +
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