In Paulo Coehlo's The Alchemist, at one point the alchemist reveals to Santiago the secret of turning metal into gold. How does it relate to finding...

When the
Alchemist shows Santiago the secret of turning lead into gold, he tells the young man that he
may himself learn to do that trick, because it was the Alchemist's personal legend, and Santiago
must find his own. But this action also has a figurative meaning. To begin with, it reveals to
Santiago that everyone is on their own personal journey, and Santiago must understand what his
own is.

This action also reveals to Santiago that the mundane can become
extraordinary and valuable. This is a theme that Santiago grapples with throughout the story,
because of his humble origins. In this instance, he sees simple lead turned into extremely
valuable gold, taking a simple, humble element and making something extraordinary out of it.
That is the essence of a personal journey: someone normal and ordinary follows a path and
becomes extraordinary, accomplishing something valuable and worthwhile.