We begin by observing Ralph, a young boy, descending towards a lagoon of sorts where he meets another, an overweight but intelligent boy named Piggy. They talk and, through their conversation, we learn that a plane had been shot down, in the war that is still raging, and crash-landed on an island, forcing the boys who were on it to be separated. 

Ralph and Piggy come across a conch shell and Piggy advises Ralph to blow through the shell in order to create a sound that’ll attract any other boys that are lost. Doing so, a number of strays emerge from the brush. A boys choir also emerges, dressed in their robes, led by Jack. They mock Piggy for his appearance. 

The boys then come to the conclusion that they need to form some sort of system, with a leader being the first course of action. All of the choirboys vote for Jack, but Ralph wins when the other boys vote for him. Ralph, as elected leader, decides that Jack can lead the hunts for food and so forth, with his choirboys as his hunters. 

They then determine that exploration is necessary and Ralph also chooses Jack and a choirboy, Simon, to venture with him. They journey well until they reach the other side of the jungle, where cliffs and mountains reside, and they endeavour to climb one in order to gain a view. They see the land completely bereft of civilisation. 

On their way back to the beach, the three boys happen across a trapped pig. Jack steps up with his knife, readying to kill the animal, but he hesitates and the animal manages to flee. He then promises that he won’t hesitate from killing when it is necessary next time.