The Crystal Merchant
Quote 1
"Maktub," the merchant said, finally.
"What does that mean?"
"You would have to have been born an Arab to understand," he answered. "But in your language it would be something like, 'It is written.'" (2.47-49)
Here comes the maktub again. This Arabic concept of an event being written has a lot to do with fate and destiny. The crystal merchant isn't really into Santiago's innovations to his business, but he feels that destiny has brought the boy to his shop and there's no stopping the changes to come. The events are written and he's not powerful enough to erase them.