b. the sheep teach santiago the patience he will need to recognize the omens and realize his personal legend.
Explanation:
Santiago’s sheep symbolize the sort of existence lived by those who are completely blind to their Personal Legends. The alchemist chooses Santiago as his pupil rather than the Englishman largely because Santiago does not depend on books and reason to understand the world. By listening to the Soul of the World, Santiago ultimately enters into communion with all of nature, including the wind and the sun, and he reaches a higher state of being.
