Saint Nicholas and his servant (Sint Nikolaas en zijn knecht, 1850) is a Dutch picture book from 1850, written by Jan Schenkman.

In the beginning, the servant does not have a name, but in later editions he was changed to the figure that is now known as Zwarte Piet.

The picture book was written by the Dutch teacher and poet Jan Schenkman (1806–1863).

He was a member of the Maatschappij tot Nut van ’t Algemeen, which focused on matters that served the general interest, such as education, development and social debate.

The reason for this was his participation in the Dam protest in 1848, which caused a lot of damage in Amsterdam.

After his dismissal, Schenkman focused on writing poems, for weddings and other festivities, among other things.

In addition, the book has contributed to the current way in which the festival is celebrated in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Schenkman changed the figure of Sinterklaas from a scarer to a friendly, old bishop, who rewards the children when they were good and punishes them when they were naughty.

The appearance of Sinterklaas, a bishop in red clothes, a staff and a beard, was also devised by Schenkman himself.

Schenkman also added a new element to the Sinterklaas tradition that later developed into the figure of Zwarte Piet.

[7] In the first editions, the servant was a nameless figure, later he became a black Moorish page who helped Sinterklaas and went on his way with him.

In later editions, the figure is known as Zwarte Piet, who helps Sinterklaas, shows clownish behaviour and who puts naughty children in a sack and later takes them to Spain.

Here is a summary of the poems from the picture book:[8] Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands with his steamboat.

In the meantime, the servant carries a chest with money, which Sinterklaas needs to buy his gifts.

In the meantime, many children look at Sinterklaas from the shop window, out of curiosity to see if they might also watch something.

In the meantime, they do not realize that Sinterklaas is listening at the door, to hear whether the children are good or naughty.

Sinterklaas concludes his visit by telling the class that anyone who learns very well can receive a nice present.

The boy begs Sinterklaas not to punish him and promises to leave the tin of cookies.

Then the child suddenly sees a big present: a doll made of gingerbread.