The life of a ten-year old boy expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death. From his sorrow he learns the meaning of friendship.

A mistreated Bengal tiger is accidentally freed in the tiny community of Scotia. An avalanche of national attention turns the sleepy little town into a chaotic jungle of frightened citizens. While a well-meaning sheriff, his daughter, and an animal trainer struggle to safely capture the tiger, kids across the nation rally to the creature's defense.