Artabán, the fourth king Mago. American Christmas story
What if the Three Wise Men were not three, but four? What if one of the four wise men did not get along with the others to Bethlehem? This is the story of Artabán, the fourth magician king. It is a beautiful Christmas story based on the story of the American writer Henry Van Dike, published in 1896
What if the Three Wise Men were not three, but four? What if one of the four wise men did not get along with the others to Bethlehem?
This is the story of Artabán, the fourth magician king. It is a beautiful Christmas story based on the story of the American writer Henry Van Dike, published in 1896 under the title 'The other wise man'. Perhaps his story is inspired in turn by a Russian legend, which speaks of a fourth magician king who, instead of jewels, wears donkeys, oil and wine.
The Christmas story of Artabán, the fourth magician king, for children
Melchior, Gaspar, Baltasar and Artabán, were four illustrious magicians from the East who loved to observe the stars. The four magicians discovered a star different from the rest. After several studies, they came to the conclusion that this star marked a path that ended in Bethlehem, where the baby Jesus was about to be born.
The four magicians decided to go immediately there. But first, they had to meet at a specific point in Babylon, to go together. Melchor would take gold. Gaspar, incense, and Baltasar, myrrh. Artabán decided to take as a gift some precious stones: a diamond, a ruby and a pearl.
But on the way to Babylon, Artaban met a poor man who had been assaulted by bandits. Moved, he handed her the diamond.
When he reached the meeting point, the other magicians had left for Judea. He was behind, but when they got there, they were not there either. Instead, he found a bleak outlook: Herod had had all the newborns killed. When he saw a soldier about to kill a child, he offered him a ruby in exchange for letting the child live. But other soldiers, seeing what he was doing, took him prisoner and imprisoned him in Jerusalem.
After 33 years behind bars, the magician king Artabán regains his freedom. Then they tell him that Jesus is going to be crucified and decides to go there. But on the way, Artabán meets a woman who is about to be sold, and decides to deliver the pearl that was left in exchange for his freedom.
When Artaban, tired and with very little strength, is on Mount Golgotha with Jesus, already crucified. They both look at each other and Artabán says:
- Excuse me, Jesus, because I was late.
Jesus then tells him the following:
- Artabán, today you will be with me in the kingdom of heaven, because when I was hungry, you gave me food, and when I was sick, you took care of me. When they took me prisoner, you freed me ...
- But Lord, when did I do all that? - Artabán asked surprised.
- What you did for your brothers, you did for me- Jesus answered.
