This story is a continuation of "The Story of Babar The Little Elephant". It continues from when King Babar and his wife, Queen Celeste, set sail in their large air balloon to go on a honeymoon. They have a wonderful time gliding along over the great blue sea, until their air balloon is suddenly caught by a violent storm and is flung onto a nearby island. Babar and Celeste are shocked and traumatised, yet are glad they have safely landed onto an island instead of the sea. Leaving their balloon on the beach and taking some luggage, they set out to look for shelter. They find a nice, quiet spot and take off their
wet clothes, cook some soup they have brought along and then proceed to lie down and relax on the cliff face of the island.
Suddenly, they spot a whale swimming along and after introducing themselves, kindly ask her for help. She gladly says she'll help them, and they hop onto her back. Time flies, and the next day the whale leaves them on a small reef to rest while she goes to catch some fish to eat. However, she forgets to come back, and Babar and Celeste are left wondering what to do!
But, after a few hours, they spot a boat coming towards them. They signal to the people on the boat, who launch a motor boat to rescue them. The two elephants think that they have been saved and that everything will be okay, but they are given to a circus once the boat has landed! At the same time, back in Rhino land, Arthur (Babar's mischievous cousin) decides to play a trick on Rataxes, King of Rhino land, while he is having an afternoon nap. He places a big firework under his tail and when it goes off, it gives Rataxes a terrible shock! He is very angry and tells Cornelius (an old, wise elephant) that he's sorry for what has happened and Arthur will be punished, but Rataxes merely growls at him and tells him that they "...haven't heard the last of this!".
At that moment, Babar and Celeste are dancing in the circus. They decide they'll escape that very night, and run away to see their friend, the old lady, who is overjoyed to see them and allows them to sleep in her house. When the circus discovers they've escaped, they are furious and look for them everywhere. Babar , Celeste and the old lady decide to go to the mountains for a holiday before they return to Celesteville, in order to regain their strength. When the three return to Celesteville, they are deeply shocked as to what has happened to the Great Forest, where they live. There are only a few tree stumps left of it! It is desolate and empty. They ask Cornelius what has happened, and it turns out that Rataxes declared war on them after the incident with Arthur. Babar tells them not to worry. While Madame helps care for elephants who have been wounded in the battle, he thinks of an ingenious plan - he disguises the elephants as monsters. The next time the rhinocerous declare war on the elephants, they are so scared they flee in terror! Rataxes and another rhinocerous are caught, and all the elephants rejoice. Babar and Celeste thank Madame for her help and ask her to stay with them and help make their elephant subjects happy. The day ends peacefully and joyously.
