This play is an adaptation of Das Täubchen (The Small Dove, 1825), a novel by Bavarian priest Christoph von Schmid (1768-1854). He is the author of many children books, novels, moral tales and short stories, as well as religious writings, thanks to which he earned the nickname “Fifth Evangelist”. It is not the first time that Pocci drew inspiration from him for a puppet play: he had already done so in Heinrich von Eichenfels, a play which also drew on the troubadour genre which Romanticism had popularized in Germany. The story was ideal for puppets, as robber stories were in integral part of the traditional repertory. As is also the case in this play, Kasperl only played a minor role, but one which added comic relief to the dramatic action.

A dove is saved from a vulture by the knight Theobald and finds shelter in the knight’s daughter’s (Agnes) lap. At this moment, their neighbour – a widow called Rosalinde – and her daughter Emma come to ask for Theobald’s protection against Ulrich von der Wart, who wants to grab her land. As a token of friendship, Agnes gives Emma her dove. Ulrich has hired a robber to break into Theobald’s castle to put it to the fire and the sword with the help of his group. The robbers dress as pilgrims and stop at Rosalinde’s place. But Casperl, Rosalinde’s servant, uncovers their plot and tells his madam. Theobald, his family and servants would have been lost had Emma not thought of sending the dove to Agnes, with a message to warn them. The robbers find themselves powerless. Theobald besieges Ulrich’s castle, and the latter is killed during the fight.