Amahl, a young boy who walks with the assistance of a crutch, has a problem with telling tall tales. He sits outside playing his shepherd’s pipe when his mother calls for him. After much coaxing and coercion, Amahl comes inside telling his mother of the amazing star “as big as a window” in the sky over their roof. Amahl’s mother does not believe his story. She is more concerned about their dire poverty and cries that her son may have to become a beggar. After bedtime, there is a knock at the door, and Mother tells Amahl to go see who it is. He is amazed when he sees three splendidly dressed kings. At first Mother does not believe Amahl, but when she goes to the door to see for herself, she is stunned. The Three Kings tell Mother and Amahl they are journeying to bring gifts to a wondrous Child and that they would like to rest at their house. Mother obliges, despite their humble dwelling space. Mother goes to fetch firewood, and Amahl seizes the opportunity to speak with the kings.

King Balthazar answers Amahl’s questions about his life as a king and asks what Amahl does. Amahl responds that he was once a shepherd, but his mother had to sell his sheep. Now, he and his mother will have to go begging, which he thinks sounds fun. Amahl then talks with King Kaspar, who is childlike, eccentric, and a bit deaf. King Kaspar shows Amahl his box of magic stones, beads, and licorice, offering Amahl some of his candy. Mother returns, telling Amahl not to be a nuisance. She tells Amahl to fetch the neighbors so the kings may be fed and entertained. A chorus of villagers arrives. They dance and sing for the Three Kings in celebration.

After the neighbors depart and the kings are resting, Amahl’s mother attempts to steal some of the kings’ gold meant for the Holy Child. She is thwarted by the kings’ Page. When Amahl wakes to find the Page grabbing his mother, he attacks the Kings’ servant. Seeing Amahl’s defense of his mother and understanding the motives for the attempted theft, King Melchior says she may keep the gold as the Holy Child will not need wealth but rather love to build his kingdom.
 

Amahl’s mother, having waited all her life for such a King, asks them to take the gold back. She wishes to send a gift to the Child but has nothing. Amahl, too, has nothing to give except his crutch. When he offers it to the kings, his leg is miraculously healed. With permission from his mother, Amahl leaves with the kings to give his crutch to the
Child in thanks for this stirring miracle.