In the film, Mowgli the man-cub is found by Bagheera the black panther, who takes him to a wolf family who raise him.
The return to that part of the jungle by the tiger, Shere Khan, means Mowgli has to leave quickly as his life is in danger.
Baloo and Bagheera set off on a journey to take Mowgli to the nearest human village.
On the way, Shere Khan attacks and it looks like the bear is killed.
Bagheera pays tribute to his friend by quoting from the Bible.
‘Greater love hath no one than he who lays down his life for his friend’, although he says friend in the singular, making it personal for Mowgli.