If you haven't read this talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, I would highly suggest it after reading this book. It is titled, "Good, Better, Best." How do the things of this talk relate to the story and how can you relate it to you?
I think there were a number of times when Santiago needed to choose between two paths that were both respectable. Should he turn home after his money was stolen, or should he try to get a job? Should he continue working for the crystal merchant or go after his personal treasure? Should he marry Fatima or accomplish what he had originally set out to do? There were no really obvious choices along the way, even though we never really doubted that he was going to keep going. What surprised me was how un-adventurous I was as a reader. I wanted Santiago to keep working for the crystal merchant. I wanted him to keep living as an advisor at the Oasis. I wanted him to keep herding sheep. I always wanted him to play it safe. Maybe it wouldn't hurt for me to consider not taking the safe road every now and then when I have a chance of getting something better than what I have.
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I think there were a number of times when Santiago needed to choose between two paths that were both respectable. Should he turn home after his money was stolen, or should he try to get a job? Should he continue working for the crystal merchant or go after his personal treasure? Should he marry Fatima or accomplish what he had originally set out to do? There were no really obvious choices along the way, even though we never really doubted that he was going to keep going.
What surprised me was how un-adventurous I was as a reader. I wanted Santiago to keep working for the crystal merchant. I wanted him to keep living as an advisor at the Oasis. I wanted him to keep herding sheep. I always wanted him to play it safe. Maybe it wouldn't hurt for me to consider not taking the safe road every now and then when I have a chance of getting something better than what I have.
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