The Story of Doctor Dolittle

Hugh Lofting

Summary

"Why can't a man learn to speak the language of the beasts?"

John Dolittle, MD, is a respected physician in the quiet town of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh—until his growing collection of pets frightens away his human patients. Armed with the secret knowledge passed down by his wise parrot, Polynesia, the Doctor learns to speak the languages of the animal kingdom. From the smallest mouse to the largest elephant, Dolittle becomes the world's first "animal doctor." When a dire message arrives about an epidemic among the monkeys in Africa, the Doctor sets sail on a perilous journey that introduces him to the rarest creatures on Earth, including the two-headed Pushmi-pullyu.

A Legacy of Compassion: Hugh Lofting famously began writing these stories in letters to his children from the trenches of World War I. Seeking an alternative to the violence he witnessed, he created a hero whose greatest weapons are empathy, linguistics, and a deep respect for all living things. The Doctor's house becomes a sanctuary where the "Animal Family"—including Jip the dog, Gub-Gub the pig, and Dab-Dab the duck—live in harmony.

The Grand Adventure: The voyage to Africa is a masterclass in early 20th-century adventure. From escaping the King of the Jolliginki to crossing the "Precipice of the Barbary Coast," Lofting blends high-seas drama with the gentle humor of the Doctor's eccentric personality. It is a story that celebrates the idea that the "wild" world is not a place to be conquered, but a community to be understood.

Discover the magic of communication. Purchase "The Story of Doctor Dolittle" today and start listening to the world around you.

Available since: 01/09/2026.

Print length: 98 pages.

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