The Story of the Other Wise Man

by Henry Van Dyke

"The Story of the Other Wise Man" by Henry van Dyke is a short novel published in 1895. It reimagines the Biblical story of the Magi by introducing a fourth wise man named Artaban who sets out to find the newborn King with precious gifts. Delayed by acts of compassion, he arrives too late in Bethlehem and begins a thirty-three-year quest across many lands. Along his journey, he must choose between his treasures and helping those in need, searching for the King while performing charitable deeds that will ultimately reveal the true meaning of his mission.