Opera Bohemia

Amahl, a disabled boy who can walk only with a crutch sits playing his shepherd's pipe when his mother calls for him. After much persuasion, he enters the house but as he is guilty of telling tall tales, his mother does not believe him when he tells her there is an amazing star over their roof.

There is a knock at the door and the mother tells Amahl to go see who it is. He is amazed when he sees three splendidly dressed kings. The Three Kings tell the mother and Amahl they are on a long journey to give gifts to a wondrous Child and they would like to rest at their house. The mother goes to fetch firewood, and Amahl seizes the opportunity to speak with the kings. The mother returns and Amahl is told to go fetch the neighbours so the kings may be fed and entertained properly.

After the neighbours have left and the kings are resting, the mother attempts to steal for her son some of the kings' gold that was meant for the Christ child. She is thwarted by the kings and when Amahl wakes to find them grabbing his mother, he attacks them. Understanding their need, King Melchior says she may keep the gold as the Holy Child will not need earthly power or wealth to build his kingdom. The mother says she has waited all her life for such a king and asks the kings to take back the gold. She and Amahl wish to send a gift but have nothing to send except his crutch. When he offers it to the kings, his leg is miraculously healed. With permission from his mother, he leaves with the kings to see the Child and give his crutch in thanks for being healed.