Dr. Dolittle was not at all as Tommy had imagined.
He did not look like an amazing animal doctor.
And he did not look like a world traveler.
But he was very kind and certainly seemed to love his animals.
"What's your name?" Dr. Dolittle asked.
"Tommy Stubbins, sir," he answered.
"Are you the son of the shoemaker?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, sir," Tommy giggled.
The pig was trying to climb on the doctor's lap.
"Get off! Can't you see the doctor is tired?" Jip barked.
"But I want to show Dr. Dolittle my toe.
I hurt it yesterday."
Gub-Gub stuck out a foot.
"Hmm . . . it doesn't look serious, Gub-Gub," said the doctor.
"You just need some cream on it.
Oh, would you mind bringing me my bag?"
Tommy carried the bag over to the doctor.
"Can you really talk to animals?" Tommy whispered.
"Why, yes, of course.
Now where did that cream go?"
Dr. Dolittle poked around in his bag.
He handed Tommy a jar.
The jar was half full of water.
Inside was a funny creature swimming around.
"Dr. Dolittle, what's this?" said Tommy, lifting the jar.
"That is called a wiff-waff," he answered.
Tommy had never heard of a wiff-waff before.
"It's a creature related to the shellfish," the doctor explained.
"That's the language I'm trying to learn at the moment."
The doctor frowned.
"But shellfish talk is very difficult."
"You mean this thing has a language?"
Tommy pointed to the creature.
"All living things have a language," said Dr. Dolittle.
"How can you learn their language?" Tommy asked.
"It takes a lot of patience and careful attention," the doctor replied.
"Doctor! My toe!" Gub-Gub oinked.
"Sorry, Gub-Gub. Here we are."
The doctor opened another jar and put some cream on the pig's toe.
Tommy was thoughtful.
He wondered if Dr. Dolittle could help the wounded squirrel.
"Can you speak squirrel language?" he finally asked.
The doctor smiled.
"Of course. It's very easy to learn."
So Tommy told the doctor all about the squirrel, and the doctor agreed to come look at the sick animal.
Suddenly the duck burst into the room, quacking loudly.
The doctor jumped up in surprise.
"Dab-Dab! What's the matter?" he shouted.
The duck waved his wings wildly and squawked.
Tommy wondered what the duck was saying.
"Oh, this is a dream come true!" the doctor clapped his hands.
He turned to Tommy and said excitedly,
"My oldest and dearest friend has returned from Africa."
Tommy smiled politely.
"Come! You must meet Polynesia."
Everyone followed the duck into the kitchen.
Tommy looked around but could not see Dr. Dolittle's friend.
"Polynesia!" called the doctor.
The doctor ran toward a large parrot sitting on a chair.
The doctor's dearest friend was a bird!
Although Tommy could not understand animal language, he knew everyone was excited to see the parrot.
"Who is that, doctor?" Polynesia looked at Tommy.
"That's Tommy," the doctor answered.
"Hello, Tommy," the parrot suddenly called out to him.
Tommy's eyes opened wide.
His heart started to beat faster.
He clearly understood the parrot's language!
"Dr. Dolittle?" he called out.
"What's wrong, Tommy?
You look pale!" the doctor said worriedly.
"I . . . I understood the bird.
I understood," Tommy replied in an excited voice.
Dr. Dolittle and Polynesia looked at each other.
"Of course, you did, Tommy.
I spoke to you in human language!" Polynesia laughed.
Tommy looked disappointed.
"Polynesia is the best teacher," Dr. Dolittle praised.
"Maybe she can teach you some animal languages."
Tommy nodded eagerly.
"First I need to eat something,"
Polynesia said and rubbed her stomach.
"It's good to see you again, my friend."
Dr. Dolittle smiled at the parrot.