The seven-year-old “man-cub” Mowgli, who was raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, is currently receiving instruction in the Law of the Jungle from Baloo the bear. However, Mowgli becomes upset and leaves when Baloo strikes him on the head for not paying attention. Bagheera, the black panther, who disapproves of this form of punishment, persuades Mowgli to return and recite his lessons. These lessons involve the “Master Words” for different species that identify the speaker as a friend.

Bagheera is impressed with Mowgli’s progress, but both are dismayed when the man-cub reveals that he has been visiting the Bandar-log (“Monkey-People”) who are avoided by the rest of the jungle.

Mowgli is remorseful, but shortly after, he is abducted by the Bandar-log and taken through the treetops. Spotting Chil the Kite, Mowgli gives the kite’s Master Word and instructs Chil to find Baloo and Bagheera. Unable to follow the monkeys, the bear and the panther remember that the monkeys’ sole fear is Kaa the python.

Bagheera provokes the python into assisting them by repeating (or creating) some of the Bandar-log’s insults against him. It is then when Chil informs them that Mowgli has been taken to the ‘Cold Lairs’, an abandoned human city, and they embark on a mission to rescue him.

In the Cold Lairs, Mowgli soon realises that the monkeys only captured him as an amusing novelty. They quickly grow tired of him but refuse to release him. When Kaa and Bagheera arrive, the monkeys throw Mowgli into an abandoned “summer-house” inhabited by cobras, to which Mowgli urgently uses the snakes’ Master Word to prevent them from striking.

A furious battle ensues upon the arrival of Baloo and Bagheera. Kaa is momentarily delayed by a large section of city walls but manages to break down the wall of the summer house and liberate Mowgli, who expresses his gratitude courteously. Kaa then disperses and subsequently mesmerises the Bandar-log into submitting to himself. Although Baloo and Bagheera are also mesmerised, Mowgli frees them. Upon leaving, Bagheera advocates for corporal punishment while Baloo opposes it. After “six love-taps” from Bagheera, the matter is settled, and the three of them return home.