Living on the streets of Lahore, Kim, orphaned child of Irish parents, runs small errands to get by. Few realise his skin is white. Becoming a disciple of an aged lama searching for enlightenment, Kim is thrust into espionage when he is recruited to carry a message to British Intelligence.

Recognised and sent to school in England Kim is torn between his desire to be a secret agent and his love for the lama. Can he balance his two desires? Can he help both the empire and the lama?