Editors

Jerry Stemach, MS, CCC-SLP

Karen Erickson, PhD Center for Literacy and Disability Studies University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles

The Story of Dr. Dolittle

by Hugh Lofting

retold by Mary J. Chester

Don Johnston IncorporatedVolo, Illinois

Table of Contents

Chapter 1Doctor Dolittle of Puddleby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chapter 2An Animal Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter 3More Trouble with Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Chapter 4The Great Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Chapter 5Polynesia and the King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Chapter 6The Land of Monkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Chapter 7A Rare Animal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Chapter 8Prince Bumpo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Chapter 9Pirates! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Chapter 10Going Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

About the Readtopia Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71About the Original Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Chapter 1

Doctor Dolittle of Puddleby

5

Once upon a time, many years ago, there was a doctor. His name was Doctor Dolittle — Dr. John Dolittle. His sister, Sarah, said that their last name — Dolittle — fit the doctor perfectly.

Sarah and the doctor shared a small house in Puddleby, England. Dr. Dolittle kept many animals inside and out.

Goldfish and ducks swam in a pond. Mice lived in a piano. A cow, sheep, and chickens shared the garden.

6

Dr. Dolittle’s favorite animal with two legs was Polynesia, a talking parrot.

His favorite animals with four legs were Jip the dog and Chee-Chee the monkey. The doctor wasn’t sure if Chee-Chee had four legs or two.

7

Sarah’s job was taking care of the house. The doctor’s job was taking care of patients — sick people. Sarah was doing her job, but the doctor wasn’t doing his.

“John,” Sarah said one day. “We have too many animals and not enough patients. You’re losing your patients, and I’m losing my patience. We need more money!” she said.

8

Sarah was right. They really did need more money. But the doctor liked animals more than he liked people!

9

Chapter 2

An Animal Doctor

10

Dr. Dolittle sold the piano and put the mice in a drawer. But soon, even that money was gone.

One day, the parrot, Polynesia, said, “You should be an animal doctor.”

“There are plenty of animal doctors,” said Dr. Dolittle.

“Yes, but none of them are any good,” said Polynesia.

“Listen,” said Polynesia. “Do you know that animals can talk?”

“I know that you can talk,” said Dr. Dolittle. “You’re a parrot.”

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“Parrots talk in two languages,” said Polynesia. “We talk in people’s language and bird language. If I say, ‘Hello,’ you understand me. But what if I say ‘Kee-koi, fee-fee’?”

12

“What does that mean?” asked the doctor.

“ ‘Kee-koi, fee-fee’ means ‘I want more seeds,’ ” said Polynesia. “Every animal can talk. You humans never take the time to listen to us.”

Just then, Jip, the dog, came in. Polynesia said, “Look, Jip is talking to you.”

“I don’t hear him saying anything,” said Dr. Dolittle.

13

“He’s talking with his ears and tail,” said Polynesia. “Jip is saying, ‘It’s starting to rain!’”

“I had no idea!” said Dr. Dolittle.

And that is how the doctor learned the language of animals. Polynesia taught him.

14

Soon, many animals came from near and far to tell Dr. Dolittle their troubles. The doctor helped them all.

There were just two problems. The animals had no money, and none of them wanted to leave.

15

Chapter 3

More Trouble with Money

16

Old ladies brought their sick dogs and cats to Dr. Dolittle. Farmers brought their farm animals. They paid Dr. Dolittle to help.

One day, a crocodile from the circus came to see Dr. Dolittle. The crocodile had a sore tooth. “I should like to live here!” said the crocodile.

17

The doctor asked Sarah.

“No alligator at our house!” said Sarah.

“It’s not an alligator,” said the doctor. “It’s a crocodile.”

“No crocodile at our house!” said Sarah.

18

Dr. Dolittle spoke to the crocodile. “I’m sorry, but you must go back to the circus.”

The crocodile cried big tears, and Dr. Dolittle felt sorry for him.

“Do you promise not to eat anyone?” asked the doctor.

“I won’t even bite anyone,” promised the crocodile.

And so, the crocodile stayed, and Sarah left — for good.

19

But no one brought their pets or farm animals any more. They were all afraid of that crocodile.

Dr. Dolittle had a crocodile, but no sister and no money.

20

One cold night, the animals and Dr. Dolittle were sitting in front of a warm fire. Suddenly, the door flew open. It was Chee-Chee the monkey.

21

“Doctor!” cried Chee-Chee. “I just got a message from Africa! The monkeys there are very sick! Hundreds of them are dying. We must help them.”

“We must help those monkeys,” said Polynesia.

“Africa is far away from England,” said Dr. Dolittle. “We would need a boat.”

“We have no money,” said Polynesia. “Boats cost money.”

22

“I helped a sailor once,” said Dr. Dolittle. “He might let us borrow a boat.” And so he did.

23

“How will we find Africa?” asked Jip.

“I’ve been there many times,” said a swallow. “Swallows fly there every year.”

And so it happened. The swallow led the way.

Chapter 4

The Great Journey

24

Dr. Dolittle and his animal friends followed the swallow. They sailed south for six weeks. The sun felt hotter and hotter because they were near the equator.

Polynesia, Chee-Chee, and the crocodile loved the hot sun. Their families lived near the equator. Jip hated the sun. He hid in the shade and drank lemonade.

25

They were not far from Africa when a great storm started. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed.

There was a loud BANG. The boat hit a rock and started to sink.

“Swim!” yelled the doctor.

Bang!

26

Chee-Chee did not know how to swim. The swallow flew to shore and tied a long rope to a tree. Chee-Chee grabbed onto the rope!

27

The boat was gone, but everyone was on shore. Suddenly, a man stepped out of the jungle. The man asked them, “What are you doing here?”

Dr. Dolittle said, “We are here to save the monkeys.”

“You must ask the King,” said the man.

“What King?” asked the doctor.

“The King of the Jolliginki,” said the man.

28

Chapter 5

Polynesia and the King

29

Everyone followed the man. Soon, they came to a beautiful palace made of mud and bricks.

The King and Queen were sitting beneath an umbrella. They had a son — Prince Bumpo — but he was visiting animals in the jungle. Prince Bumpo loved animals.

30

“What do you want?” said the King. He did not sound friendly.

“Hello,” said Dr. Dolittle. “I’m here to save the monkeys.”

The King became angry. “You cannot stay here,” he said.

“Why not?” asked Dr. Dolittle.

“Last year, I let other people stay,” said the King. “They stole our gold.”

31

“Then they killed our elephants and took their tusks,” said the King.

“But I love animals,” said Dr. Dolittle.

The King would not listen. “Lock them up in my prison!” he said.

The prison was dark and cold. There was one small window. That night, Polynesia flew through the bars of that window.

32

Then Polynesia flew to the King’s bedroom and hid under his bed. The parrot began to talk. She sounded just like Dr. Dolittle!

“I am the great Dr. Dolittle,” Polynesia began. “I can make you well if you are sick. I can make you sick if you are well.”

33

“I can make you as sick as the monkeys,” Polynesia said.

“No!” begged the King. He called his soldiers and said, “Let them all go!”

The soldiers opened the prison. Dr. Dolittle and the animals ran into the jungle. Then the King saw Polynesia fly away. “It’s a trick!” he yelled. “Catch them!”

34

Chapter 6

The Land of Monkeys

35

Dr. Dolittle and the animals ran through the jungle. The King and his army chased them. Chee-Chee knew all the right trails. He had once lived in Africa.

Chee-Chee led them to a high cliff above a river. The land of the monkeys was on the other side of this river. “The King’s army is close!” said Jip.

36

Chee-Chee called out, “It’s Cheeeeeee-Cheeeeeee! I’m with Doctor Doooooooolittle!” Monkeys, gorillas, baboons, and elephants ran to the river. They joined hands and feet, trunks, and tails. They made a bridge!

37

Dr. Dolittle and his animals were safe in the land of the monkeys. The King shook his fist and yelled. Prince Bumpo was happy, but he did not show it.

38

There were hundreds of sick monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, and gorillas. Dr. Dolittle poked a needle into their arms. He gave each of them a shot of medicine.

Then the doctor put them all in bed. Polynesia, Chee-Chee, Jip, and the crocodile all helped. But there were just too many sick animals to care for.

39

Dr. Dolittle asked other animals to help. The elephants came right away. They used their trunks to lift the biggest animals into bed.

40

The leader of the lions said, “Monkeys are dirty. I wouldn’t even eat them.”

“I didn’t ask you to eat them,” said the doctor.

41

“What if you lions get into trouble? What if you need help?” asked Dr. Dolittle.

“We don’t get into trouble,” said the lion. “We make trouble!”

The lion told his wife about the sick monkeys. “Dr. Dolittle wants the lions to help him,” he said. “I said, ‘Ha! Never!’ ”

42

The lion’s wife was mad. “Our cubs are sick,” she said. “Dr. Dolittle could make them well. But you won’t lift a paw to help the doctor. Some father you are!”

The lion went back to Dr. Dolittle. “Did you find any help?” asked the lion.

“The elephants are helping,” said the doctor.

“Maybe I can help a little,” said the lion.

43

“That would be wonderful!” said the doctor.

“I could ask the other hunting animals to help,” said the lion.

“That would be very wonderful!” said the doctor.

“Oh,” said the lion. “I almost forgot. Could you look at my cubs? They have a little cough. Maybe you can help them, too.”

44

Chapter 7

A Rare Animal

45

Dr. Dolittle saved many sick monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, and gorillas. But now, it was time to go home. The monkeys begged him to stay.

“I have bills to pay,” he told them.

“I must pay for the boat that sank,” said Dr. Dolittle. “I must pay for the meat and bread we ate.”

The biggest baboon spoke. “Then, let us give you a gift — a rare gift — to thank you.” And so they did. They gave Dr. Dolittle a pushmi-pullyu.

46

Pushmi-pullyus are now extinct. That means, no pushmi-pullyus are alive today. But when Dr. Dolittle was in Africa, a few were still living in the jungle.

A pushmi-pullyu had no tail. It had a head at each end! They were very hard to catch. You couldn’t sneak up on them. They could see you coming!

47

A pushmi-pullyu is very shy. It has two heads, so it has trouble making up its mind. But it liked Dr. Dolittle right away.

The crocodile asked, “Can both of your heads talk?”

“Yes,” said the pushmi-pullyu. “But I’d rather talk and eat at the same time!”

48

Chee-Chee said, “People in Puddleby will pay money to see a pushmi-pullyu.”

“Yes,” said Polynesia. “Then Dr. Dolittle can pay his bills.”

The pushmi-pullyu said, “I’ll go with you. You came to Africa to help us. I will go to Puddleby to help you.”

49

Chapter 8

Prince Bumpo

50

Polynesia spoke. “We have two problems between here and Puddleby,” she said. “First, we must get past the King. Second, we must get a boat!”

Doctor Dolittle and the animals started through the jungle. The jungle was thick with trees, so an elephant made a path.

“I smell trouble!” said Jip.

“I smell bricks,” said the elephant.

51

Dr. Dolittle looked. They were back at the King’s palace!

“Now I have you!” cried the King. “Back to prison you go!” he said.

52

That night, Polynesia flew through the bars of the window again. This time, she flew to Prince Bumpo.

“Good Prince Bumpo,” said Polynesia. “You love animals just as much as Dr. Dolittle. We helped the monkeys. Now we need help! Your father locked us up in prison again!”

53

“My father is wrong to do that,” said the Prince. “I will help you.”

And so he did. He let everyone out of prison.

The Prince led everyone to the sea and gave them a ship.

“Sail away quickly!” said the Prince. “Father will wake up soon!”

54

Chapter 9

Pirates!

55

Polynesia, Chee-Chee, the crocodile, and the elephant stayed behind in Africa. Africa was their true home.

Polynesia thought there were only two problems. But she wasn’t quite right. There were three problems. The third problem was pirates — mean, nasty pirates.

The leader of the pirates was Ben the Dragon. He knew that Dr. Dolittle and his animals were passing by. “Tonight,” Ben told his men, “we’ll eat meat!”

56

Dr. Dolittle had stayed in Africa a long time. The swallows were flying north again. They would show the doctor the way.

57

The ship hadn’t gone far before a rat spoke.

“This ship is old and rotten,” said the rat. “We rats want to get off before it sinks.”

“Very well,” said Dr. Dolittle. “We need to find fresh water. There is an island near here. We will stop there, then we will all get off.”

58

The doctor and the animals walked onto the island. They found a stream of fresh water. When they re-turned to the beach, they found two ships.

59

The second ship had red sails. Jip smelled the air. “Pirates!” said Jip. “The pirates are on our ship. They are looking for things to steal.”

60

“Shhh!” said Dr. Dolittle. “Let’s sneak onto their ship and sail away!”

And so they did.

61

The pirates saw what was happening. It was too late! The rotten ship was sinking — pirates and all.

62

Chapter 10

Going Home

63

Huge sharks swam towards the pirates. One shark asked Dr. Dolittle, “Shall we eat them?”

“No,” said Dr. Dolittle. “Those pirates are bad, but don’t eat them. They can swim to the island.”

The pirates’ ship was beautiful! There were pillows on the beds. There was every kind of food and drink. There was — a boy!

“Are you a pirate?” Dr. Dolittle asked him.

64

“No, sir,” said the boy. My uncle and I are fishermen. The pirates sunk our boat. I don’t know what happened to my uncle.”

“Don’t worry,” said Dr. Dolittle. “We’ll find him!”

65

Jip asked the boy, “What does your uncle smell like?”

“Dead fish,” said the boy.

Jip shut his eyes and put his nose into the wind.

He sniffed the air for a long, long time. “I found him,” said Jip. “He’s in a cave about a mile from here!” And so he was.

66

Dr. Dolittle took the boy and his uncle to their families. The boy’s mother couldn’t stop kissing Dr. Dolittle. Jip was afraid that she would start kissing him so he hid.

The mayor called them heroes. He gave Jip a dog collar made of solid gold! The collar said “Jip — The Smartest Dog in the World.”

67

Dr. Dolittle began to sell tickets to see the pushmi-pullyu. “Come and see a wonderful animal with two heads,” he called. “All the way from Africa! Just ten cents!”

Who wouldn’t want to see an animal with two heads? People lined up with their nickles and dimes.

68

In this way, they went back to Puddleby. They stopped in villages. They stopped at fairs.

When they reached Puddleby, Dr. Dolittle paid all his bills. The pushmi-pullyu had made the doctor rich. Now all the animals — and the doctor — would live happily ever after.

69

Back in Africa, Polynesia spoke to Chee-Chee and the crocodile. “I wonder if the doctor will ever visit us,” she said. “I certainly hope so.”

“I think he will,” said Chee-Chee.

The crocodile looked up from his muddy bed. “I’m sure he will. Now go to sleep.”

The End

70

About the Readtopia Author

Mary J. Chester is not a real name. Mary J. Chester is a name that was made up by a real person who has a different name.

Have you ever heard of Mark Twain? Mark Twain wrote about Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. But Mark Twain’s real name is Samuel Langhorne Clemens. We say that Mark Twain and Mary J. Chester are pen names.

So who is Mary J. Chester? What is Mary J. Chester’s real name? Jerry Stemach

Jerry took all of the letters in his name — J-e-r-r-y-S-t-e-m-a-c-h — then put them in a different order. What did he get? M-a-r-y-J-C-h-e-s-t-e-r

Would you like a pen name? What would it be?

71

About the Original Author

Hugh Lofting was born in England in 1886. During his life, he lived in England, Canada, Africa, and the United States. When World War I started in 1914, Hugh was married with two children. He left his family to fight in the war. He promised to write letters to his children. But the war was terrible! Hugh could not tell his children about bloody battles. He could not tell them about horses and men who were shot and killed. So, he decided to write letters about a make-believe man who talked to animals.

When the war ended, Hugh’s letters were made into a chapter book, The Story of Doctor Dolittle.

73