The Story of the Other Wise Man recap

Artaban, a Persian Magus, prepares three jewels for the newborn king announced by a star. He misses the caravan of the other Magi because he stops to save a dying stranger, then spends one jewel to obtain the caravan he needs to continue. In Bethlehem he learns that the child has escaped and gives a second jewel to protect a mother and child from Herod's soldiers. For thirty-three years he follows reports of the king while serving people who are sick, imprisoned, poor, or enslaved. He finally reaches Jerusalem on the day Jesus is crucified, but uses his last jewel to free a captive woman. Mortally injured in the ensuing earthquake, Artaban hears that every act of mercy was accepted as a gift to the king. He dies knowing that his quest was fulfilled through compassion.

Artaban, a Persian scholar, believes a rare star signals the birth of a divinely appointed king. He sells his estate and buys a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl to present as gifts. Three other Magi plan to wait for him at an ancient temple before beginning the desert crossing together. Artaban leaves home prepared to meet them, trusting that the sign in the sky will lead the seekers westward.

On the road to the meeting place, Artaban finds a stranger dying of fever. He cannot abandon the man, so he stops, treats him, and remains until the danger has passed. The delay costs him the rendezvous: the other Magi have departed because the caravan cannot safely wait. Artaban sells his sapphire to purchase camels and supplies and follows alone. The recovered stranger directs him toward Bethlehem, where prophecy says the promised ruler will be born. Artaban has saved a life, but the first of his three gifts is gone and he is far behind his companions.

Artaban reaches Bethlehem after the child and his parents have fled. A mother gives him shelter and tells him that the other Magi found the child before leaving. Soldiers sent by Herod arrive to kill the town's young boys. Artaban stands in the doorway and offers their captain his ruby in exchange for leaving the house unsearched, saving the woman's child. He is relieved by the rescue but grieves that a second gift intended for the king has been spent. With only the pearl remaining, he resumes the search. Years pass as he follows uncertain reports through many lands, repeatedly stopping among people who need food, healing, comfort, or freedom.

After thirty-three years, Artaban arrives in Jerusalem during Passover and learns that Jesus of Nazareth, whom he recognizes as the king he sought, is being led to crucifixion. He hurries toward the place of execution, hoping his remaining pearl can buy the prisoner's release. Before he gets there, a young woman appeals for help as she is about to be sold to pay a family debt. Artaban gives away the pearl and secures her freedom. An earthquake shakes the city, and falling debris strikes him. As he lies dying, he believes his quest has ended in failure, but he hears Jesus tell him that aid given to the hungry, homeless, sick, imprisoned, and oppressed was given to the king. Artaban understands that each sacrificed jewel reached its true destination through an act of mercy, and he dies at peace.

After thirty-three years of searching, Artaban reaches Jerusalem as Jesus is being taken to execution. He plans to offer his last jewel as a ransom, but instead gives it to save a young woman from slavery. An earthquake follows the crucifixion, and a falling roof tile mortally wounds him. Believing that he has failed because none of his original gifts reached the king, Artaban hears Jesus assure him that mercy shown to people in need was service rendered to the king himself. He dies in peace, understanding that his long search and repeated sacrifices were not failures: he has found and honored the king through the lives he helped.