Kim by Rudyard Kipling
Kim grows up on the streets of Lahore. Her Irish mother died when she was born, and her father, a former colored sergeant in an Irish regiment called the Mavericks, eventually died from drugs and drinking. He left his son in the care of a mestizo woman. Young Kimball O'Hara then became Kim, and under the blazing Indian sun his skin darkened so much that it couldn't be said that he was a white child.
One day, a Tibetan lama, in search of the holy river of the Arrow that will wash away all sin, comes to Lahore. Impressed by the possibility of an exciting adventure, Kim joins the lama as his chela. That night outside Lahore, Mahbub Ali, a horse dealer, gives Kim a cryptic message to deliver to a British officer in Umballa. Kim does not know that Mahbub Ali is a member of the British secret service. He delivers the message as instructed and then hides in the grass and watches and listens until he learns that his message means that eight thousand men will go to war.
On the great path, the lama and Kim meet many people of all kinds. The conversation is easy. Kim is particularly interested in one group, an elderly woman traveling in a family bullock cart assisted by an entourage of eight men. Kim and the lama join her party. Towards night, they see a group of soldiers camping. It's the Maverick regiment. Kim, whose horoscope says her life will change with the sign of a red bull on a green field, is fascinated by the regiment's flag, which is just that: a red bull on a bright green background.
Trapped by a chaplain, the Reverend Arthur Bennett, Kim accidentally drops the amulet she wears around her neck. Mr. Bennett opens the amulet and discovers three folded papers inside, including Kim's baptismal certificate and a note from her father asking that the child be looked after. Father Victor arrives in time to see the papers. When Kim tells his story, he is informed that he will be sent to school. Though sadly separated from the lama, Kim is sure that he will soon escape. The lama asks for the name and address of Father Victor and Kim's school fees to be recorded and given to him. Then it disappears. Kim, pretending to prophesy, tells the priests and soldiers what he heard at Umballa. They laugh at him, but the next day his prophecy comes true and eight thousand soldiers are sent to quell an uprising in the north. Kim remains at the camp.
One day a letter arrives from the lama. Attach enough money for Kim's first year of school and promise to provide the same amount annually. Ask that the child be sent to St. Xavier's for education. The drummer who is ordered to keep an eye on Kim is cruel to his charge. When Mahbub Ali runs into the two boys, he hits the drummer and starts talking to Kim. While they are engaged, Colonel Creighton reaches out and learns from Mahbub Ali, indirectly, that once he is educated, Kim will be a valuable member of the secret service.
On the way to St. Xavier, Kim spies on the lama, who was waiting a day and a half to see him. They agree to meet often. Kim is an apt student, but he doesn't like being locked in classrooms and dormitories. When the holidays come, he goes to Umballa and convinces Mahbub Ali to let him get back on the road until the school reopens.
Traveling with Mahbub Ali, he plays the role of a horse boy and saves the merchant's life when he hears two men plotting to kill the horse dealer. At Simla, Kim stays with Mr. Lurgan, who teaches her many subtle tricks and games and the art of makeup and disguise. As Mahbub Ali said, now learn the big game, as the secret service job is called. At the end of the summer, Kim returns to his studies at St. Xavier, where he remains for three years.
At the end of that time, Mahbub Ali suggests to Mr. Lurgan and Colonel Creighton that Kim be allowed to go on tour with his lama again. Kim's skin is dyed dark, and she resumes ...
