Henry Van Dyke's The Story of the Other Wise Man is a classic tale of a quest that goes wonderfully, tragically sideways. It's a short read, but it sticks with you for a long time.

The Story

We follow Artaban, a priest and scholar from Persia. He sees the prophecy in the stars and prepares to join the three Magi, bringing three magnificent gems as gifts for the newborn King. He's running a bit late, and agrees to meet the others in Babylon. On his way there, he stops to help a dying man. This act of kindness makes him miss the rendezvous. Selling his first gem, a sapphire, to buy supplies, he sets off alone for Bethlehem. He arrives just after the Holy Family has fled to Egypt. In the chaos, he uses his second gem, a ruby, to save a child from Herod's soldiers. For thirty-three years, Artaban searches the land, helping the poor and the sick he meets, always listening for news of the King. His final pearl is saved for his one great gift. In Jerusalem, during Passover week, he finally gets his chance, but gives the pearl away to save a young woman from slavery. At that moment, the earth quakes. Artaban, old and broken, believes he has failed completely. But then, a voice speaks to him.

Why You Should Read It

This story wrecked me in the best way. On the surface, it's about missing out. Artaban misses every single biblical event. He's never in the right place at the right time. But Van Dyke flips the script. What if the purpose of the quest wasn't the destination, but the person you become along the way? Every "detour"—every act of mercy for a stranger—wasn't a distraction from his mission. It was the mission. The treasures he meant for a king were spent on kings and queens in disguise: the sick, the poor, the imprisoned. The book asks a tough, beautiful question: Is a life spent in small, unseen kindnesses a wasted life? The answer it gives is profoundly moving.

Final Verdict

This is for anyone who has ever felt behind, overlooked, or like they're constantly helping others while their own big dreams slip away. It's for the helper, the giver, and the weary seeker. It's also a fantastic, gentle introduction to parable-style fiction. If you love the feeling of a story that unfolds slowly and leaves you with a lump in your throat and a warmer heart, this is your next read. Keep a tissue handy.