A fun and gentle dramatization of the true tale behind A.A. Milne's "Winnie the Pooh" character. The tale begins in 1914 with an orphaned bear cub adopted by army captain and veterinarian Harry Colebourn of Winnipeg and follows the adventures of Colebourn and his new friend "Winnie" as they win over the men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The reality of military life is juxtaposed with the high jinks Winnie brings to army life. When Harry's regiment is sent to fight in France, the young vet knows Winnie can't go. He finds a home for her at the London Zoo, promising to return as soon as the war is over and take her back to Canada. Winnie becomes a star attraction at the zoo. For the children of London, living in the shadow of a frightening war, Winnie becomes a symbol of friendship and hope.