The Story of Dr. Dolittle | Leveled Reader

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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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The Story of Dr. Dolittle

by Hugh Lofting

retold by Mary J. Chester

Don Johnston Incorporated Volo, Illinois Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Doctor Dolittle of Puddleby ...... 5 Chapter 2 An Animal Doctor ...... 10 Chapter 3 More Trouble with Money ...... 16 Chapter 4 The Great Journey ...... 24 Chapter 5 Polynesia and the King ...... 29 Chapter 6 Many Sick Animals ...... 35 Chapter 7 A Rare Animal ...... 45 Chapter 8 Prince Bumpo ...... 50 Chapter 9 Pirates! ...... 55 Chapter 10 Going Home ...... 63 About the Readtopia Author ...... 71 About the Original Author ...... 73 Chapter 1 5 Doctor Dolittle of Puddleby

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. 6 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. 7

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 doctor wasn’t sure if Chee-Chee had four legs or two. 8 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. Sarah was right. 9 They really did need more money. But the doctor liked animals more than he liked people! 10 Chapter 2 An Animal Doctor

Dr. Dolittle sold the piano and put the mice in a drawer. But soon, even that money was gone. 11

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.” 12 “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’?”

“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, 13 came in. Polynesia said, “Look, Jip is talking to you.” “I don’t hear him saying anything,” said Dr. Dolittle.

“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. 14

And that is how the doctor learned the language of animals. Polynesia taught him. 15

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. 16 Chapter 3 More Trouble with Money

Old ladies brought their sick dogs and cats to Dr. Dolittle. Farmers brought their farm animals. They paid Dr. Dolittle to help. 17

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. 18 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. Dr. Dolittle spoke to the crocodile. 19 “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. 20

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. One cold night, the animals and Dr. Dolittle 21 were sitting in front of a warm fire. Suddenly, the door flew open. It was Chee-Chee the monkey.

“Doctor!” cried Chee-Chee. “I just got a message from my family in Africa! They are very sick! We must help them.” 22 “Yes,” said Polynesia, “we must help Chee-Chee’s family.” “Africa is far away from England,” said Dr. Dolittle. “We would need a boat.” “We have no money,” said Polynesia. “Boats cost money.” “I helped a sailor once,” 23 said Dr. Dolittle. “He might let us borrow a boat.” And so he did.

“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. 71

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? 73

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.