A bear cub born in a rocky den in the North Woods grows curious as he matures and learns from his mother to fear Loup the lynx. His adventures take him from riverbanks to capture by men, theft and harsh treatment under cruel masters, and an eventual escape. He is later trained to perform, survives a railroad wreck, rescues a little girl named Chiquita, and faces the prospect of life in a zoo before finding his way back toward the wild. The narrative follows his development, encounters with predators and humans, and themes of freedom, loyalty, and resilience.