Why is it important that Santiago dreams of a child who tells him of his treasure in this particular setting?

The
recurring dream is important because it foreshadows what happens later in the story. In the
dream, Santiago is told by a little boy that he will find treasure at the foot of the pyramids
in Egypt. This comes to be afor the long journey that Santiago makes during the story. He does
indeed find treasure on his travels, but it's the treasure of self-discovery that he findsthe
most valuable thing in life.

Ironically, Santiago does indeed find treasure
of a more literal variety. But he doesn't find it in Egypt; he finds it buried beneath the
ruined sacristy near his home. The treasure...