Babar is a young elephant in the great forest. Whilst out with his mother a hunter kills his mother and he flees to escape the same fate. He eventually finds himself in a human city and experiences the many differences between city and forest life. Generally treated as an outsider he is taken in by an elderly woman, dressed in fancy suits, taught to write and count and is brought up in human culture. Later in life his friends Celeste and Arthur stumble into the city and find him - previously assuming he was also killed by the hunter. Babar dresses them and treats them to the comforts of his world until more elephants arrive to bring them back. The three elephants return by car to the great forest. Soon after Arthur sparks a war with the neighbouring Rhino tribe but peace is formed due to quick thinking by Babar.