Set in a small-town hospital, the film tells the story of the great suffering of a small rascal, nicknamed “Lies and Steals“, who promises his little partner that he will bring St Nicholas - a traditional figure of Czech Advent - to the hospital room. He fails to keep this promise, his efforts being thwarted several times by the pedantic head nurse, who is called the Old Goat. In the course of the plot, the strained relationships between the three adults - the alcoholic Dr. Koníček, the head nurse and the young nurse Pipka - are revealed, all burdened with various resentments, false illusions and disappointed hopes. Despite all the conflicts, and as if by a miracle, there is a kind moment of extraordinary emotional understanding at the end, and Nicholas finally appears in the hospital.

Director: Karel Kachyňa