Why do you think part one of the alchemist end the way that it did?

I think that part one of the alchemist ends the way it does to give some suspense. As a reader, I was left wondering why Santiago would need any sheep in Africa. I think he may be trying to use his sheep for travel. The book mentions a few times that Santiago becomes a shepherd because he wants to travel around. After his dream, his visiting with the gypsy, and meeting the King of Salem, he now wants to travel to Egypt to find the hidden treasure at the pyramids. While he does this, he gets robbed in Africa and he is scared because he doesn't seem to know what he is doing. I think he asks for money to buy sheep because it is something that he is familiar with. Maybe the sheep will help him travel to Egypt at last.

I honestly don't know what to expect. I think that the sheep could possibly be a guide for Santiago. I also think that the crystal merchant is a genuine ally to Santiago, as he feeds him and offers him money to travel back to Spain.