Monday, October 1, 2012

The Crystal Merchant

When he talked about the pilgrimage to Mecca, the crystal merchant argued that having a dream is more important than fulfilling it, which is what Santaigo was trying to do. Do you agree with Santiago's rationale or the crystal merchant's?

4 comments:

Cheryl said...

I did not agree with the Crystal Merchant but I understood him.
I think that fulfilling it or at least trying to fulfill it is more important but that will never happen if you don't start by just having the dream.
I found it to be quite sad that he had this dream and never acted on it even when he could.

Holly said...

It's important to have a dream, the hope of something better. But if you never try to fulfill that dream or even work towards it, it seems like it would be empty, and that you'd realize that. Impossible dreams only lead to sorrow. So why not try to make them happen?

The Kings said...

The merchant loved what he was doing and was good at it. However, Santiago's ideas helped him to expand on his business and gave him more profit. The merchant felt he would feel worse now that he knew greater possibilities and wealth than he had known before and that he would now feel dissatified because he knew that he could accomplish more and would not be totally happy because he really didn't want to pursue anything more. He wanted Santiago to feel satisfied with what he had been able to do and to stay with him.

Seth and Julie said...

I actually kind of agree with both of them. Of course if you really, really want something and it is truly your legend, you have to follow it to find fulfillment in life but I think we all have pipe dreams too. I have always wanted to be a wrtier but for the most part just dreaming of it is enough for me. I will probably never pursue it but I still find joy in writing and dreaming and that is fulfilling to me too. I guess that is how I know it is not my purpose in life or my "legend" or I would feel empty, but I do not. I think there are some thigns we are called to do and some that we dream about and certainly could pursue if we chose to, and I like to leave the dream on the table, just in case...