The story revolves around Doctor John Dolittle, a learned man who transitions from being a people’s doctor to an animal doctor after realizing his unique ability to understand and communicate with animals.
Part I: The Suggestion
- Setting: Doctor Dolittle is in his kitchen, talking to the Cat’s-food-Man, who has a stomach ache.
- Suggestion: The Cat’s-food-Man suggests Dolittle become an animal doctor because he knows more about animals than local veterinarians. He praises Dolittle’s book on cats, read to him by his scholarly wife, Theodosia.
- Parrot’s Advice: Polynesia, the parrot, overhears and supports the idea, urging Dolittle to focus on animals instead of “silly people.” She reveals that animals have their own languages, which Dolittle is unaware of.
- Learning Animal Language:
- Polynesia teaches Dolittle that animals communicate using body language (ears, tails, noses) and sounds. For example, she says “Ka-ka oi ee, fee-fee” in bird language, meaning “Is the porridge hot yet?”
- Excited, Dolittle starts noting down bird language words, beginning with the “Birds’ A.B.C.”
- With Polynesia’s help, Dolittle learns to talk to animals, eventually giving up his practice as a people’s doctor.
Part II: Becoming an Animal Doctor
- Spread of the News: The Cat’s-food-Man spreads the word, and people bring their pets and farm animals to Dolittle.
- Example Case – The Plough Horse:
- A horse, treated poorly by a vet, tells Dolittle he needs spectacles for his failing eyesight, not pills.
- Dolittle provides green spectacles, which help the horse see better while ploughing.
- The horse notes that being a good animal doctor requires more skill than treating humans because animals don’t complain.
- Growing Fame:
- Animals like cows, sheep, mice, badgers, and bats visit Dolittle, sharing their ailments in their language.
- Dolittle creates separate doors for different animals (e.g., “HORSES,” “COWS,” “SHEEP”) and a tunnel for mice.
- His garden becomes crowded with animals seeking treatment.
- Birds spread his fame globally, making Dolittle renowned among animals worldwide.
- Outcome: Dolittle’s ability to understand animals makes him a successful and happy animal doctor, with farm animals wearing glasses becoming a common sight in Puddleby.
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