Sambo is a young boy who lives with his father and mother, named Jumbo and Mumbo, respectively. While out walking, Sambo encounters four hungry tigers, and he surrenders his colorful new clothes, shoes and umbrella so that they will not eat him. The tigers are vain and each thinks that it is better dressed than the others. They have a massive argument and chase each other around a tree until they are reduced to a pool of butter. Sambo recovers his clothes and goes home, and his father later collects the butter, which his mother uses to make pancakes.