The Animal Doctor Summary

"The Animal Doctor" is a story about Doctor Dolittle, a man who decides to give up treating people and instead becomes a doctor for animals. Encouraged by the Cat's-food-Man and his parrot Polynesia, Doctor Dolittle learns that animals have their own language and can communicate through sounds and body language. With Polynesia's help, he learns to understand and speak to animals, which allows him to treat their ailments effectively. His reputation grows as animals from far and wide come to him for help, and he becomes famous for his unique ability to communicate with and heal animals.

Key Elements

• Characters: Doctor Dolittle, Polynesia (the parrot), Cat's-food-Man, the plough horse, various animals.
• Themes: Communication between humans and animals, empathy, the importance of understanding others, dedication to one's calling.
• Literary Devices: Personification (animals talking), dialogue, imagery.

Textual Evidence

Polynesia says, "Did you know that animals can talk?" and later teaches Doctor Dolittle the "Birds' A.B.C.", showing the idea of animals having their own language.

Solved Example

Q: Why does Doctor Dolittle decide to become an animal doctor?
A: Doctor Dolittle decides to become an animal doctor because he realizes he understands animals better than other vets and, with Polynesia's help, learns that animals can talk and communicate their needs, making it easier for him to treat them effectively.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• Who encourages Doctor Dolittle to become an animal doctor?
• What special ability does Doctor Dolittle learn about animals?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Explain how Doctor Dolittle learns the language of animals.
• Describe the role of Polynesia in the story.

Level 3 – Challenging

• Discuss the significance of Doctor Dolittle's decision to treat animals instead of people.
• Analyze the theme of communication in the story and its impact on Doctor Dolittle's success.

Answer Key

• Polynesia, the parrot, encourages Doctor Dolittle to become an animal doctor.
• Doctor Dolittle learns that animals have their own language and can communicate through sounds and body language.
• Doctor Dolittle learns the language of animals with the help of Polynesia, who teaches him bird words and explains animal body language.
• Polynesia acts as a teacher and guide, helping Doctor Dolittle understand animal communication and encouraging him to focus on animals.
• Doctor Dolittle's decision signifies empathy and a unique approach to medicine, showing his dedication to helping animals who cannot speak human language.
• Communication is central to the story; it enables Doctor Dolittle to understand and treat animals effectively, leading to his success and fame.

Quick Reference

• Doctor Dolittle: A doctor who treats animals.
• Polynesia: The parrot who teaches animal language.
• Birds' A.B.C.: The language of birds taught to Doctor Dolittle.
• Cat's-food-Man: The man who suggests Doctor Dolittle become an animal doctor.

Glossary

• Scholar: A learned or educated person.
• Cracker: A thin, dry biscuit.
• Birds' A.B.C.: The language spoken by birds.

The Plough Horse Part II Summary

After Doctor Dolittle becomes known as an animal doctor, many animals come to him for treatment. A plough horse visits him complaining of poor eyesight and asks for spectacles. Doctor Dolittle provides the horse with green glasses, which help the horse see better. This story highlights the importance of understanding animals' needs and the challenges of treating them. Doctor Dolittle's ability to communicate with animals allows him to diagnose and cure them effectively. His reputation spreads far and wide, and animals from all over come to seek his help.

Key Elements

• Characters: Doctor Dolittle, the plough horse, various farm animals.
• Themes: Compassion, innovation in animal care, communication, dedication.
• Literary Devices: Dialogue, personification, imagery.

Textual Evidence

The plough horse says, "What I need is spectacles. I am going blind in one eye." This shows the horse's ability to communicate his problem clearly to Doctor Dolittle.

Solved Example

Q: How does Doctor Dolittle help the plough horse?
A: Doctor Dolittle helps the plough horse by providing him with a pair of green spectacles that protect his eyes from the sun and improve his vision, curing his blindness in one eye.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• What problem does the plough horse have?
• What solution does Doctor Dolittle provide?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Why does the plough horse think other vets are not good?
• Describe how animals communicate their problems to Doctor Dolittle.

Level 3 – Challenging

• Discuss the significance of Doctor Dolittle's approach to animal care compared to other vets.
• Analyze how the story portrays the relationship between humans and animals.

Answer Key

• The plough horse is going blind in one eye.
• Doctor Dolittle provides the horse with green spectacles.
• The plough horse believes other vets do not understand animals because they cannot communicate with them properly.
• Animals communicate through their own language and body language, which Doctor Dolittle understands.
• Doctor Dolittle's approach is unique because he communicates with animals, leading to better diagnosis and treatment.
• The story shows a caring and respectful relationship between humans and animals, emphasizing empathy and understanding.

Quick Reference

• Plough horse: A horse used for farming work.
• Spectacles: Glasses used to improve eyesight.
• Countryside: Rural area where farming takes place.
• Cellar: A room below ground level, often used for storage.

Glossary

• Countryside: Rural area outside towns and cities.
• Cellar: A room below ground level used for storage.