When five-year-old Reuben visits his Uncle Ram's farm near Bangalore, in India, he has a small adventure and meets Lakshmi, the elephant, whom he adopts as a friend and pet. But he cannot take Lakshmi back to the United States with him on a plane, so he leaves her behind at Uncle Ram's farm, promising to return every year. Reuben's next round of adventures brings him two more friends — Ali, the crocodile and Moti, the dog. He also discovers that these animals talk to children all the time. You only have to listen! Reuben's older cousin Andrew, also visits the farm and together the cousins have other encounters with more animals — each one exciting and memorable. With each adventure, they gain new friends and learn something along the way.
