The Story of the Other Wise Man

I had forgotten how moving and perfect this short story was. It encapsulates Christmas and all of its original meaning, and it reminds us without doubt that we are meant to worship through service to others.

Artaban answers the call of the prophecy that a king is to be born. Before his departure, his father says to him, ”But it is better to follow even the shadow of the best than to remain content with the worst. And those who would see wonderful things must often be ready to travel alone.” And Artaban does find himself traveling alone and facing the dilemma of how best to serve his God.

He encounters three trials that force him to choose between seeing the King he seeks and helping a person in mortal danger. All three times, he show more choses to help the human being.

”Only God the merciful knows whether I shall not lose the sight of the King because I tarried to show mercy.”

“I have spent for man that which was meant for God.

“And is not love the light of the soul?”

Artaban feels he has missed seeing the King, but he has seen Him far more clearly than the three of his brethren who complete the journey at Bethlehem. He arrives a moment too late in Jerusalem, but with Christ we cannot be too late, for He is with us and our journey is His. That Artaban receives his reward as he does in the end brought me to absolute tears.

Artaban endures three trials, and students of the Bible know that three is a very significant number. Not just because of the trinity, but also at many other junctures. Daniel prayed three times a day, Satan tempted Christ three times and was rejected, Christ prayed three times at Gethsemane, He rose from the grave after three days. There are many more examples, but Van Dyke did not choose the three gems or the three trials meaninglessly, they are meant to reflect Christ’s story as much as Artaban’s.

What a wonderful story and how special to read it at Christmas and remember why this season has so much importance for me. show less

In a Nutshell: A classic novella about a fourth Magi, who discerns the heavenly signs correctly but gets delayed on his journey. A lovely read for classic fiction lovers. Will work even better if you know any of the gospels.

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Story Synopsis:

Artaban is a young wise man, and one of the priests of the Magi. Using his knowledge of astrology, he discerns that the ancient prophecy about the birth of the redeemer is due to take place soon. He rushes to join his three fellow Magi, departing from another location, to look for the guiding star that will lead them to the newborn king. However, Artaban’s pilgrimage is beset with hurdles. Will he be able to fulfil his quest and find the saviour?
The story is written in

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the limited third person perspective of Artaban.

I had read a simplified adaptation of this story in one of my Christmas collections when I was a middle grader. Then I forgot all about the existence of this tale. While looking up Christmas short stories online, I found this title and my mind immediately went into nostalgia mode. In a way, this can be termed a reread, but to be fair, this was my first time reading the unabridged version.

My reading experience was pretty good, though not as satisfying as I had expected. The story is, of course, perfect for the season. It conveys what the true Christian spirit is all about, summed up in the golden rule of ‘Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you.’

This novella was originally published in 1895, and the writing reflects the era. The style is typically classic, with extended descriptions of the location. I might have enjoyed the tale more had the descriptions been less verbose. But the detailing of the setting and the atmosphere is so much that the core plot gets obscured at times.

To Christian readers who enjoy classic works, this story ought to be a beautiful experience. I feel you'll appreciate the writing better if you are a believer, as it has many biblical references and only if you know the Bible will you be able to recognise those Easter eggs. (Easter eggs in a Christmas story – Just imagine!)

Even if you aren't aware of the gospels but are fond of classic short stories, you might like this one, but you could miss out on the deeper intent of the author as your understanding would be restricted to the words without getting their allusions.

All in all, a good enough read for those looking for a deeper and meaningful Christmas story with a strong religious flavour and description-intensive writing.

3.75 stars.

As this story is in the public domain, you can read it free of cost on various sites online. I read it from the below link:
https://americanliterature.com/author/henry-van-dyke/short-story/the-other-wise-...

Happy Christmas, everyone! show less

"But it is better to follow even the shadow of the best than to remain content with the worst. And those who would see wonderful things must often be ready to travel alone."

Artaban is all prepared to join three of his Magi companions to go and present gifts to a new King whose coming is declared by the heavens. But Artaban's trip encounters delays, profoundly altering his quest in The Story of the Other Wise Man by author Henry van Dyke.

I'd never heard of this classic before I came across it some weeks ago. No, it didn't hold groundbreaking revelations or unimaginable surprises for me.

But even having a good idea ahead of time about where such a tale would go didn't stop the tale from being beautiful to me. Beautiful in its atmospheric show more detail as well as in its compelling message about what's important to the King. Yes, the story has some old-fashioned quirks, like the fact that some of the characters speak in "King James" now and then, but the message itself is timeless.

Not at all hard to see why this tale is indeed a classic. show less

I've owned this classic library discard since the 1990s and decided to read it again as I'm culling my shelves. It's what would now be considered novella-length, a fast read about a fourth wise men who is late to join his comrades and meet baby Jesus soon after this birth. The writing is lush and beautiful. Really, I could see this being read aloud as a glorious experience. That said, from a story standpoint it strikes me as... trite and unoriginal. Would it still be considered faith-affirming for some who want a totally predictable story? Absolutely. But not for me.

I don't know how I missed this short novel/long short story until now. The legend was mentioned in a Christmas special I was watching and I searched it to see if there were more. I found this and I am so glad I did.

The version I read was the original one, transcribed through Project Gutenberg. It definitely shows its Victorian roots in its flowery language. I think sometimes I am a misplaced Victorian spinster, so I loved it. The descriptions transported me to an earlier time.

This is certainly a Christmas story and as such it does have a message, but it far transcends finding the baby Jesus. Would that we could all live the life Artaban lived. I did need a tissue at the end, but I get emotional easily.

Who would like it? Anyone who loves show more Christmas. It isn't that long and could easily be read to your family, should you wish to start a tradition. show less

This is the story of the fourth wise man who, along with the three others, is seeking the Christ Child. Artaban plans on meeting up with his friends, and then continuing on his journey. He is bringing three precious jewels to bestow upon the Christ Child. But his journey is delayed when he stops to nurse a dying man, giving him his provisions. Now, needing to cross the desert, he gives up a jewel to buy supplies. He then discovers his companions have gone on without him, and so travels on, still alone. He meets a new mother with a son, and, lying to protect the boy, bribes the soldiers intent on killing newborn male children to go on and not search the house. Then, he wanders on for 33 years, and at the end of his life, gives his last show more jewel to pay the debts of an orphaned young girl about to be sold into slavery for her father’s debts. Artaban feels he has failed to honor the Christ, since he has given away to man what was meant for God, and he is surprised to hear what God has to say. This imaginative tale embodies not only the story of the birth of Jesus, but also the redemptive powers of God. This is a story that should be read every Christmas. show less

A short story from a book of stories I own: Home for Christmas, Stories for Young and Old. Complied by Miriam Le Blanc and Illustrated by David G. Klein.
Artaban the Magian of the city of Ecbatana, is supposed to meet the other three Wise Men who have heard of the birth of the one to be called the King of the Jews in Jerusalem. The three are waiting for him.
The first delay is when he stays to help a young mother trying to save her baby from Herod's orders to kill the babies. This delay causes him to miss meeting the other Wise Men and they go without him to see Jesus. Other delays such as helping the poor, the hungry, the sick and other causes find him arrive after the Holy Family has fled to Egypt.
Throughout his life, Araban tries to show more see Jesus and unable to do so until later in life.
The reader need to read the rest of the book as I do not want to spoil it.
This book was written in 1895. It can also be found on gutenberg.org.
It will be a re-read for me. show less