Even if you're aware of the general story of Babar, it is worth having this little book just for the heart-warming illustrations. The book seems larger than the other Babar stories and is also different to others in that the story is hand-written in neat, cursive script. Other Babar books (as far as I know) are all printed in computer generated text. The story begins by stating that one day a little elephant was born named Babar, and how his mother loved him dearly. Then DeBrunhoff informs us how one day, when Babar is having a ride on his mother's back, his mother is shot and killed by a cruel
hunter. The hunter is just about to capture Babar, when Babar quickly runs away into the forest and manages to escape. After a few days, he comes across a town with many big buildings. There he meets a kind old lady who adopts him. In this town, Babar buys clothes, is educated about the ways of humans and quite enjoys himself. The years pass by quickly and it isn't long before 2 years have elapsed since Babar has run away from the forest. He begins to miss the jungle and longs to play with his relatives and friends.
One day, as he and the old lady are walking down the street, they see 2 young elephants running along. They turn out to be Celeste and Arthur (Babar's cousins). On seeing them, Babar runs and embraces them. He tells his cousins about his life in the town and decides to return to the forest with his cousins. Meanwhile, Arthur and Celeste's parents are very worried about their children's disappearance. They organise a big search party. A little bird, who has seen the children in the town, reports back to them and tells them where their children are located. Then Arthur and Celeste's cross mothers journey to the town to fetch them. Once there, they are very relieved to have found them, but scold them for running away. Babar, Arthur, Celeste and the cousins' mothers decide they'll all travel back to the jungle together. After Babar and the old lady exchange tearful goodbyes, Babar packs all his belongings and returns to the jungle.
Once Babar arrives, he is joyfully greeted by the elephants, but becomes quite shocked when he hears of an illness that has struck the King of the elephants. The king of the elephants had eaten a poisonous mushroom, become seriously ill and then died shortly before Babar had arrived. Cornelius (one of the older elephants) and some other elephant elders had been discussing who should become the new King before Babar had unexpectedly arrived. Cornelius suggests that Babar should become the king and the other elephants agree. Babar gratefully accepts the honour and says he will marry his childhood sweetheart, Celeste. They had become engaged while travelling back to the jungle. Babar also makes Cornelius his general. Then Babar orders some animals to go and purchase some fine wedding clothes from the nearby town. After the animals have returned with the garments, Babar and Celeste get married and there is a great celebration. They then depart Celesteville in a great yellow air-balloon to go on a honeymoon , and we are left with a lovely picture of them sailing away in the air balloon, with "Au revoir!" written in big letters across its exterior.
