Artaban, The Fourth Wise Man
First of four

The history of the Wise Men is still being determined. With certainty, historians have yet to learn the origin of these characters. In the Gospels of the Bible, only one evangelist (Saint Matthew) mentions something about these kings, but extraordinarily little. Some stories say they were magicians, and others say they were astrologers. Different cultures also differ when speaking of the kings; for some, there were three or four, and for others, there were two or even twelve. Most stories say there were three because Saint Matthew mentions three kings and three gifts to the baby Jesus in his Gospel. Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar are the names that most historians suggest.

No one agrees on the country of origin of these magicians; the most appropriate explanation I have heard is that they represented Europe, Asia, and Africa. In conclusion, there are so many stories of the Wise Men that I have gathered everything I have read. I will tell you the true story of the Wise Men. Some things are not written in any book, although my humble and very personal opinion suggests that this happened with these characters and the story of the Wise Men.

There were four magicians and astrologers who were also kings. They were very enthusiastic about studying the stars; therefore, they believed that the world’s past, present, and future were written in the stars. Melchior, from Persia, lived in a palace where most things were made of gold. Caspar, from India, was a spiritual man with all kinds of incense in his castle. Balthazar was a practical person, and his treasures were aromatic spices. His most precious aromatic spice was myrrh. Artaban was a knowledgeable and wealthy man who also happened to be a philanthropist.

At night, they spent their free time studying the stars. In their notes, they recorded an event that had never occurred in the history of the world. Although they did not understand the magnitude of what would happen, every one of the kings knew they had been chosen to offer their most precious treasures to a Messiah who would come into the world. They were ready to begin their journey.

Melchior:
How strange; in my notes, the world’s Creator has chosen four people to pay their respects to a unique Messiah. I shall call Him the Messiah. What could my gift be? I will take Him gold. I must begin my journey tomorrow to meet the other three chosen ones. I hope my notes are accurate.

Caspar:
I cannot believe it; the stars have chosen me to honor a Messiah who will come into the world. According to my calculations, I must leave tomorrow to meet the other three magicians. But what could I take Him? My most precious treasure is incense. The world needs much spirituality. I will bring Him fragrance.

Balthazar:
I still need to understand what is happening. How may I have been chosen to worship the Messiah of the world? I must leave tonight, and I do not know what I could offer someone called the Messiah. I will take Him myrrh; it is one of my greatest treasures.

Artaban:
A few days ago, the stars sent me a message I cannot understand. The Son of the Creator of the stars will be born. I have been chosen to visit Him and offer my respects. I do not know why. I do not comprehend the uniqueness of the gift I must take with me. I will bring Him three presents. The Messiah will be pleased with my offerings: a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl of great price. These three presents will make up for my lack of understanding.

The four kings left for the encounter; according to the stars, they would meet in three days at the Ziggurat of Borsippa, a famous city of ancient Mesopotamia. On their way to Borsippa, the kings watched the star guiding them. During the day, they rested, and at night, they followed the path that would take them to their destination. Ahead of them, what looked more like a comet than a star led the way, followed by four small stars. One of the kings would soon have an encounter with his destiny—a destiny no one saw written in the stars.

Artaban:
Everything is perfect. The bright star guides me without any problem.

As time passed, the temperature dropped, and the night grew cold. Artaban felt chilled. At dawn, he stopped his camel to look for a blanket. At that moment, he heard moans.

A man:
Help me. I’m dying. I’m here. The sand almost covers me. Could you help me? The sand will bury me.

Artaban:
I can hear you, but I don’t see anything. Keep talking so I can find you. A cloud covers the moon, and I cannot see very well.

The man continued speaking, and his lamentations guided Artaban to him. Artaban could only see the man’s head, as the desert sand covered his entire body.

Man:
Here I am. Please help me.

Artaban approached him very carefully. His experience told him it could be a trap. When he was close enough, he could see that the man’s blood stained the sand. At that moment, he realized the man was wounded.

Artaban:
Here you are. Tell me, what happened to you?

Man:
I was following a star I believed would lead me to a significant place. At midnight, some thieves assaulted me. They stole my camel and my money. When they left, they ran over me with their camels and almost killed me. I’ve been bleeding here for hours.

Artaban:
I don’t know if it is luck or fate that I heard you. Don’t worry; I will take you somewhere to heal you.

Man:
Thank you, thank you very much. I don’t know what would have happened if you had not found me.

Artaban:
It is dawn; we can see the path better now. According to my calculations, we are close to an oasis.

Artaban helped the man climb onto his camel and traveled to the oasis. The man arrived nearly dead and remained unconscious for three days.

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Editor’s Note:
In the following chapter, the Three Wise Men must decide whether to wait for the fourth wise man or continue their journey without him.