the alchemist part two

In in part of the text Santiago is deciphering between his only two choices, either go back to own sheep but this time more than before? Or follow the omen and stay on the same path to the pyramids of Egypt. He began to disbelieve what the old king had said before about the treasure and completing his personal legend because of all of the trials he has been through to only be about 2 hours closer to the pyramids of Egypt. His strength, patience, and will power is being tested by nature and possibly even the old king himself. the author wants the boy to figure out what exactly he wants without just telling the reader what is going to happen next. What ever the boy has been through so far wasn't spoken to him about with the king so he wasn't exactly prepared for what he's been experiencing however it's made him a bigger man. The fact that Santiago has to leave the Merchant behind goes to show the boy what and where he will end up being if he doesn't pursue this dream and retires to what he's been doing his whole life.