This touching film tells the story of a lonely boy who finds solace and friendship in a picture of Christ. As a baby, Marcelino was abandoned by his parents and placed on the steps of a Franciscan monastery. The friars find him there, and provide the child with food and shelter. Their kindness, however, does not prevent little Marcelino from desiring the friendship of other children. So when he finds an image of Jesus in the attic, his lively imagination transforms the inanimate object into a special friend. Then Marcelino offers bread and wine to the icon... and suddenly Christ, stirred by the boy's gesture, comes to life...