Santiago works hard for almost a year. He has become rich by working for the merchant. While working he helped the merchant get more and more business by offering ideas and new services. He considers returning home and once again becoming a shepherd, but finally decides to follow his personal legend. As he leaves the merchant tells him “Maktub” which means “it is written”.

Santiago arrives at an abandoned church, where he decides to spend the night. While sleeping he has a disturbing dream, which we don't find out about, the dream is the same as the one he had one year ago around the same time. When he wakes he talks to his sheep about a young girl who he had meet in this town the year prior. While meeting her he experienced, for the first time, the desire to stay in a single place for the remainder of his life. The girl was a merchant’s daughter who Santiago had sold sheep. The merchant had asked him to return the next year.