What is the theme in The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling?

The theme of friendship is central to these stories. The first three stories of the Jungle Book, the ones that tell the story of the man-cub Mowgli and his adventures, emphasize the power of friendship and love. Mowgli is saved from the tiger, Shere Khan, when he wanders away from his village by the nurturing love of Mother Wolf who adopts the boy and raises him as her own. The bond is also great between the three friends, Bagheera the panther, Baloo the bear, and Mowgli.