Pertaining to "the alchemist"- how does the boy influence the life of the crystal merchant? the crystal merchant was content with his life the way it was; the boy encourages the crystal merchant to take a chance and seize an opportunity. while the boy is a servant for the crystal merchant, he teaches the merchant about andalusia and sheepherding. because of his interactions with the boy, the crystal merchant decides to sell his shop and pursue his own dreams. the boy teaches the crystal merchant about omens and the soul of the world; this encourages the merchant to find his personal legend.