The Alchemist is a novel by Paulo Coelho that tells the story of a shepherd boy named Santiago who dreams of traveling the world in search of a treasure as great as any ever found. Along the way, he meets a gypsy woman, a king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. The book is about finding one's Personal Legend and following it to its end. The main message of the book is that everyone has a Personal Legend, or a destiny, that they are meant to fulfill. The book also teaches the importance of following one's dreams and never giving up on them.