Amahl, a crippled boy, and his mother live in poverty among shepherds. One night the three kings, King Caspar, King Melchior, and King Balthazar, on their way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the Newborn Child, stop for shelter at the crude hut where Amahl and his mother live. They are given hospitality and are entertained by the neighboring shepherds. The mother envies the gold and gifts being brought to this Child whom the kings do not even know. She tries to steal some for her own child. Then the kings explain that their Child is about to bring new light into the world. The mother repents, and, in a gesture of innocent generosity, Amahl offers his homemade crutch as a gift to the Child. He is miraculously cured of his lameness and follows the kings to Bethlehem to give thanks for the miracle.