The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho Page A

com- plained about a goal of which Spain had been robbed in
     the opening round of the Cup.*
    But then he gave me a hug, and said that Brazil would soon once again have the best
     players in the world.
    How do you manage to see the game when your back is always to the field and you are
     inciting the fans, I asked. It was something I had noticed over and over again during the
     television transmissions of the World Cup games.
    Thats what gives me satisfaction. Helping the fans believe in victory.
    * In the game between Spain and Brazil at that World Cup in Mexico, a Spanish goal was
     disallowed because the referee had not seen the ball cross the goal line before rebounding
     out. Brazil ended up winning that game 10.
    And then, as if he too were a guide on the Road to Santiago, he said, Fans who lack the
     faith can make a team lose a game it is already winning.
    Manolo was then grabbed by others who wanted to interview him, but I stood there thinking
     about what he had said. Even without ever having walked the Road to Santiago, he knew what
     it was to fight the good fight.
    I found Petrus hiding behind some trees, obviously uncomfortable with the presence of the
     television cam- eras. It was only after their lights had been turned off that he emerged
     from the trees and relaxed a bit. We asked for two more cups of wine, I fixed myself a
     plate of canapŽs, and Petrus found a table where we could sit with some of the guests.
    The newlyweds cut into a huge wedding cake. People cheered.
    They must really love each other, I said.
    Of course they do, said a dark-suited man sitting with us. Have you ever heard of anyone
     marrying for any other reason?
    I kept my answer to myself, remembering what Petrus had said about the popcorn vendor. But
     my guide didnt let it pass.
    Which kind of love are you talking about: eros, philos, or agape?
    The man looked at him blankly. Petrus got up, filled his cup, and asked me to walk with
     him.
    There are three Greek words that mean love, he
    began. Today, you are seeing a manifestation of eros, the feeling of love that exists
     between two people.
    The bride and groom were smiling for the photogra- phers and accepting congratulations.
    It appears that these two really do love each other, he said, looking at the couple. And
     they believe that their love will grow. But shortly, they will be alone with each other,
     struggling to earn a living, build a house, and share their adventure. This is what
     ennobles love and dignifies it. He will do his time in the army. She is prob- ably a good
     cook and will be an excellent housewife, because she has been trained since she was a
     child for that role. She will be good company for him, theyll have children, and they will
     feel that they are building some- thing together. Theyll be fighting the good fight. So
     even if they have problems, they will never be really unhappy.
    However, this story that I am telling you could go a very different way. He might begin to
     feel that hes not free enough to express all of the eros, all of the love that he has for
     other women. She might begin to feel that she gave up a brilliant career in order to be
     with her husband. So instead of creating something together, each could begin to feel
     robbed of a means of express- ing love. Eros, the spirit that unites them, would begin to
     reveal only its negative side. And what God had pro- vided to humans as their noblest
     sentiment would become a source of hatred and destructiveness.
    I looked around me. Eros was present in many of the relationships there. The Water
     Exercise had awakened
    the language of my heart, and I was seeing people in a different way. Maybe it was the
     days of solitude on the road, or maybe it was the RAM practices, but I could feel the
     presence of good eros and evil eros, just as Petrus had described.
    Its strange, Petrus said, sensing the same thing. Whether its good or evil, the face of
     eros is