Animals, Birds and Dr. Dolittle

1. About the text & author

‘Animals, Birds and Dr. Dolittle’ is taken from the famous children’s classic ‘The Story of Doctor Dolittle’ by the British author Hugh Lofting. Lofting first invented Doctor Dolittle in letters he wrote home to his children, and the cheerful character of a doctor who can speak to animals soon became loved all over the world.

The story is set in a small English town called Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, where Dr. John Dolittle lives with his sister Sarah and a houseful of pets. The chapter tells how a doctor who began by treating people ends up becoming the world’s greatest animal doctor — all because of his deep love for animals.

2. Summary — Part 1: A doctor who loves animals

Dr. John Dolittle is a kind and clever doctor who is also a great lover of animals. He keeps many pets — rabbits, mice, a duck, a dog, a pig, an owl, a parrot and more — and his house and garden are always full of them. He loves them all and cannot bear to turn any creature away.

The trouble is that his patients are frightened or annoyed by all these animals. Some are afraid of the hedgehog or the mice; an old lady with rheumatism is upset to find a crocodile under the sofa. One by one his human patients stop coming, and he begins to lose his practice and his money. His sister Sarah scolds him and finally leaves, but the doctor refuses to give up his beloved animals.

3. Summary — Part 2: Polynesia’s clever idea

His wise old parrot, Polynesia, watches the doctor grow poorer and offers a brilliant idea. She points out that since he loves animals more than people, he should give up treating humans and become an animal doctor instead. After all, she says, animals fall ill too and there is no one to cure them properly.

But to be a real animal doctor, he must first understand what the animals are saying. Polynesia reveals an exciting secret: animals do not speak only with their mouths — they ‘talk’ with their ears, feet, tails and movements as well. She offers to teach him the language of the animals.

4. Summary — Part 3: Learning the language of animals

Polynesia begins teaching the doctor the bird and animal languages. It is hard at first, but Dr. Dolittle is patient and eager, and Polynesia is a clever teacher. He slowly learns to understand what dogs, birds, horses and other creatures are trying to say through their sounds and signs.

The doctor is amazed and delighted. Now he can understand his patients’ troubles directly — an animal can tell him exactly where it hurts. No human doctor could do this. His gift makes him uniquely able to help sick animals, and his love for them deepens still further.

5. Summary — Part 4: The world’s greatest animal doctor

Word spreads quickly among the animals that there is a doctor who can speak their language and heal them. Sick and injured creatures begin to arrive from far and wide — not only the local farm animals, but birds and beasts from distant places. The kind horse, whose case is famously described, gets the right treatment because the doctor can understand its complaint.

Soon Dr. Dolittle becomes the most famous animal doctor in the world. Though he is not rich in money, he is rich in love, friendship and the gratitude of countless creatures. By following his heart and his love of animals, he finds true happiness and success in his own special way.

6. Character of Dr. Dolittle

Dr. Dolittle is kind, gentle and warm-hearted — he cannot bear to harm or turn away any creature. He is determined and brave: even when he loses his patients and his money and his sister leaves, he refuses to abandon his animals. He is humble and willing to learn, patiently studying the animal languages from a parrot. Above all he is true to himself, choosing the work he loves over wealth. His combination of love, patience and courage makes him a memorable and lovable hero.

7. Other characters

Polynesia the parrot — old, clever and loyal. She is the doctor’s wise adviser, giving him the idea to become an animal doctor and patiently teaching him the language of animals. She is the cleverest creature in the story.

Sarah — the doctor’s practical sister, who keeps house for him but is annoyed by the animals and the loss of money. When the doctor will not give up his pets, she leaves — showing the contrast between worldly worry and the doctor’s loving heart.

The animals (dog, duck, pig, owl, horse and others) — the doctor’s devoted companions and patients. Each has its own ‘voice’, and together they show how rich and full of feeling the animal world is.

8. Theme & message

• Kindness to animals: Animals deserve our love, care and respect; they have feelings just as we do.
• Understanding others: A little patience and effort lets us understand creatures (and people) very different from ourselves.
• Following your passion: Dr. Dolittle chooses the work he loves over money and finds true happiness and fame.
• Loyalty and friendship: The bond between the doctor and his animals shows the value of faithful friendship.
• Gentle humour: The story teaches its lesson lightly and warmly, making the reader smile.

9. Significance of the title

The title ‘Animals, Birds and Dr. Dolittle’ names exactly what the story is about — the special bond between one kind man and the whole world of animals and birds. By placing the creatures first and the doctor last, the title hints that in this story the animals are just as important as the human, which fits the doctor’s own belief. It promises the reader a tale where talking to and caring for animals is the heart of everything.

10. Word meanings (glossary)

• Practice (of a doctor) — the work and patients of a doctor.
• Rheumatism — a painful illness of the joints and muscles.
• Hedgehog — a small animal covered with sharp spines.
• Parrot — a colourful bird that can imitate speech.
• Patient (noun) — a sick person or animal being treated.
• Patient (adjective) — able to wait calmly without getting annoyed.
• Eager — keen and enthusiastic.
• Determined — firmly decided; not giving up.
• Famous — well known to many people.
• Companion — a friend who keeps one company.
• Gratitude — thankfulness.
• Passion — a strong love for something.