The Miracle of the Great St. Nicolas / 1920

A narrator examines a famous ballad about three children found in a salting vat and reconciles popular memory with historical silence by distinguishing two saints who share a name. He then recounts the life of the later bishop, portraying him as a charitable, ascetic pastor who devotes his wealth to the poor and makes his house a refuge. Accompanied by his deacon, the bishop endures hardship on the road, finds shelter at a roadside inn during a storm, and uncovers evidence of a grievous crime against children. The narrative concludes with a miraculous restoration and reflections on faith, justice, and the origins of legend.