A myth like the alchemist?

Question

For a school project i need to find a myth (from any culture) that can be compared to some aspect of The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

well there is the medieval legend from europe about the alchemists stone. with this stone any base impure metal can become gold. there was a way to convert lead to gold. by the reasoning the medieval alchemist could take the impure base soul and purify it.  by the same account the philosophers stone could grant eternal life. there is saint germain and calistro are two of the names that come to mind.

Answer 2

1: Go read Joseph Campbell's "Hero with a Thousand Faces."

2: Go watch Star Wars.

3: ???

4: Profit!

Answer 3

Any myth with a hero on a journey, overcoming obstacles will work.

Good luck!

(I am purposefully not giving you too much information so you will research and do your own homework!)