French author Marcel Proust once made an observation on the subject of wisdom. He wrote, "We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take us or spare us." A person's knowledge of the workings of the world and the nature of life comes mainly from experience, not from a textbook or lecture in school. Often, however, the lessons learned through experience are often harsh because to learn about our world, one has to spend much time pondering what is bad in it. To gain such experience is a journey, often long and hard, and sometimes can cause one to question the very nature of one's life and soul. In the short story, "The Gift of the Magi", a comparison between the journey of the biblical Three Wise Men and that of a poor early twentieth-century couple is established.
             Della and John, a young couple in early 20th century America, have already chosen a rough and beaten path for their life's journey. Jim has not yet found a job with a sufficient income to live out the "American Dream". He was only earning "twenty dollars a week", and even at a time before inflation raised the power of the dollar significantly, it was still a far cry from wealth. One can assume that they are young, or immigrants, or just in a position of misfortune. To strive for more would simply be foolish for someone in their position, if not downright impossible.
             The biblical Magi were three men, most likely kings, who traveled far and wide only to dispense gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Christ Child. Tradition says that they came from Africa, Asia, and India, three countries with a low population of Jews, the "chosen people" who were to be saved by this Messiah. Having traveled possibly thousands of miles, the Magi have come themselves, without slaves or messengers, in an ultimate gesture of respect for one who is said will save an ...