Final answer:
The Crystal Merchant's failure to travel to Mecca, as described by Paulo Coelho, is attributed to the fear of what achieving his dream might mean for his purpose in life. This fear reflects a common human experience that can immobilize and prevent the pursuit of personal legends, akin to historical examples like medieval pilgrims or explorers inspired by Marco Polo's accounts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fear of realizing the dream we have strived for our entire lives can be a substantial obstacle, as Paulo Coelho suggests. In the context of the Crystal Merchant from Coelho's The Alchemist, this fear manifests as a hesitance to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Though it is his long-cherished dream—or his 'Personal Legend'—the merchant fears that achieving this dream could leave him without purpose afterward, as he would have nothing left to strive for. His hesitance ultimately leads to his failure to travel to Mecca, illustrating how fear can paralyze action and prevent us from fulfilling our deepest desires and ambitions.
Such fears are not unfounded; they stem from human experiences and our stories. This fear can be equated with the trepidation that grips the medieval pilgrim before a journey, or the anxiety of explorers who were inspired by Marco Polo's travels, yet feared the unknown challenges they might face. The endeavor to realize one's Personal Legend is akin to those quests, filled with uncertainty and the potential for monumental change, upon which people embark out of dedication, desire for discovery, or the pursuit of a higher calling.