The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Narayan, R.K. Swami and Friends. Indian Thought Publications, 2007.

Swami and Friends tells the story of Swaminathan, or Swami as he is often called, a ten-year-old boy growing up in the fictional city of Malgudi, in the South of India in the 1930s. The author gives a few context clues to help place the story in its time and place, such as discussing colonialism and anti-colonial protests, and referring to Tamil as the language most commonly spoken, though the book itself is written in English. The story is told from a third-person perspective, focusing mostly on Swami’s point of view but occasionally telling the story from the point of view of other characters, such as Swami’s father. Swami lives with his father, an attorney, his mother, and his doting Granny.

A new, wealthy boy named Rajam, the son of the police superintendent, begins attending class with Swami and his friends at the Albert Mission School. Though there is initially some friction between Swami’s old friends and Rajam, the six boys form a group: Swami, Rajam, tough Mani, popular Somu, intelligent Sankar, and shy Samuel, or the “Pea” as he is nicknamed. Swami faces academic pressure at school and from his strict father. Swami’s mother becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son. While Swami is initially unenthused, he quickly becomes a devoted brother.

Swami and Mani attend an anti-colonialism protest, which spirals into a riot. They happily help wreck the Albert Mission School, and later Swami watches Rajam’s father order the police to attack the protesters, and authorizes the use of violence. Because of this event, Swami is brought in front of the school with other protesters. Rather than defend himself or apologize, Swami denounces the school and runs away. Swami is enrolled at the Board High School after leaving the Mission School, something he quickly regrets when his workload increases exponentially. At the same time, Swami and Rajam, along with Mani later, decide to form a cricket league together. However, due to his schoolwork Swami misses practices, causing friction with Rajam.

As the cricket league’s first official game approaches, Swami attempts to get out of his daily drill classes after school to practice more, but is unsuccessful. His efforts eventually land him in trouble and he is subject to physical punishment. Fed up, he runs away, saying a brief goodbye to Rajam and leaving. A few hours later he begins to regret this decision and attempts to return home but discovers he is lost. He is found a few day later, and his parents come to get him. While Swami was lost, he misses the cricket game, upsetting Rajam, who refuses to join his father to pick up Swami. He also lies to Mani about Swami’s whereabouts. However, a few days after Swami’s return, Mani reveals that Rajam's father has been transferred and his family is moving. Mani and Swami see Rajam off at the train station, and Rajam and Swami forgive each other.