Part 7 (through page 177) Summary

On the third day, the chief and the tribesmen gather to watch Santiago turn himself into the wind. He begins to talk to the desert in earnest, explaining his problem and asking for its help. The desert and he discuss the nature of love. The desert recommends that the boy ask the wind for help. The wind asks him where he learned how to speak to the desert and the wind. Santiago says he speaks many languages that his heart taught him.

Santiago arouses the wind's curiosity by suggesting that if the wind helps him, they will be able to talk about all their limitless possibilities. The wind likes this idea. It wants to help and is frustrated that it cannot. It recommends that Santiago ask heaven for help and creates a windstorm that blots out the brightness of...