Summary of the Book

       The book takes place in 1881, right after the Second Afghan War ended.  It starts with a boy named Kim, also known as Kimball O'Halla.  He is an orphan living in the streets of Lahore, India under British rule. His life consists of begging and doing jobs to gain his living.  While living in the city as a vagabond, Kim finds and befriends a Tibetan Lama.  He agrees to travel with the lama to escape constant reincarnation by finding a legendary river, The River of the Arrow.  Throughout the journey Kim stumbles upon many cultures, religions and the life of the streets in Bazaars.  He also stumbles upon something called the Great Game and ends up becoming recruited by Mahbub Ali.  His mission is to carry a message to the head of British Intellegence in Umballa. While on his way with the lama, Kim runs into his father's regimental chaplain.  Kim is taken from the lama by force and the lama thought it would be a good idea to go because it would help Kim.  Kim is sent to a top English School in Lucknow. While there the lama funds for Kim's schooling there. Kim stays in contact with him and grows to love him. Kim also stays in contact with his secret service and is trained to be a surveyor while on vacation from school by Lurgan Sahbib, at his jewelry shop in Simla.  

         After Kim has been at school for 3 years Kim receives a break and reunites with the lama at the behest of Kim's superior, Hurree Chunder Mookherjee.  Together they all take a trip to the Himalayas. While there the lama unfortunately falls into conflict with Russian agents. Kim obtains maps, papers, and other important items from Russians working to undermine British control of the  region.  Mookherjee ends up under cover with the Russians, he makes sure that the Russians don't go looking for what Kim stole.  Kim then rescues the lama from the Russians with the help from some porters and villagers.  The lama then realizes the river he is looking for is not in the mountains but in the plains.  There the lama and Kim are brought back to health, Kim gives the Russian documents to Hurree, and Mahbub Ali comes to check on Kim.  In the end the lama achieves Enlightenment and you are left to wonder what Kim will do with his future, whether it be spiritual or the road of the Great Game.