To Santiago, the Crystal Merchant acts as a lesson of caution on what happens to people who do not pursue their "Personal Legends". Although his "Personal Legend" is to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, the Crystal Merchant denies himself, fearing that he will "have no reason to go on living" (Coelho) after his experience. Even before Santiago’s arrival, the Crystal Merchant admits feeling disappointed by how much time he has thrown away by staying behind. When Santiago begins working in the Crystal Merchant’s shop, Santiago ambitiously introduces a radical change, bringing about great risk with even greater profit. Santiago's determination to accomplish his own "Personal Legend" makes the Crystal Merchant realize that "every blessing ignored becomes
