After a month in the crystal store, Santiago realizes it will take a year to make enough money. The merchant treats him well, but Santiago wishes to accelerate his savings. He offers to build a display case for outside the store and address’s the merchant’s reticence by recycling Melchizedek’s philosophies. The merchant sympathizes with Santiago’s desire to travel as he wishes one day to make the Hajj. He allows Santiago to build the case. Two months later, the case has increased sales. Santiago has learned Arabic but Egypt is now a distant dream, much like Mecca. He has learned to recognize omens: After seeing a thirsty man, he suggested that they sell tea to those who climbed the hill outside the store. The merchant considers the idea; if implemented, it will be so successful that he will have to “change [his] way of life” (40). The shop is exactly the size he wants it to be. He agrees to the plan anyway because “sometimes, there’s just no way to hold back the river” (41).

The tea is a success. The merchant hires two more employees and begins to import tea. After 11 months in the position, Santiago wakes up early.