The Three Wise Men by Damon Runyan tells the story of three mobsters who stop to help a woman having a baby, and find unexpected redemption for their troubles. Damon Runyan, a New York city sports writer and author, rose to fame in the prohibition era for his colorful stories which involved characters typical of the shady side of Brooklyn.  Runyan's stories were always narrated by one of these nameless mobsters, and always spoken in the present tense.  This style became very popular in movies in the thirties and forties. The Three Stooges popularized Runyan;s famous quote from this story "Wise Guy, eh?", and was one of the many expressions that were popularized during that era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices