In which a boy named Kim guides a venerable lama through the bustling, cacophonous world of an early morning train journey, introducing him to a lively and curious company of fellow travellers, their talk weaving tales of faith, caste, and conquest. They find shelter in Umballa, where amidst family disputes and the quiet cheer of new acquaintances, Kim glimpses the stirrings of distant power and prophecy, all while seeking a mysterious River of healing with his wise companion.