Wit and Humour | Class 7 English Notes

Doctor Dolittle Becomes an Animal Doctor

This section narrates how Doctor Dolittle, initially a human doctor, is persuaded by the Cat’s-food-Man and the parrot Polynesia to become an animal doctor. The Cat’s-food-Man recognizes Dolittle’s superior knowledge about animals compared to local veterinarians and suggests he should focus on treating animals. Polynesia reveals that animals have their own language and communicate not only through sounds but also through body language such as ear movements and tail twitches. Doctor Dolittle becomes fascinated and starts learning the language with Polynesia’s help, writing down bird words and understanding animal gestures. This new skill enables him to communicate effectively with animals, leading him to give up treating humans. The story highlights the cleverness and wit involved in understanding and responding to animals’ needs, showing how humour and intelligence can solve problems in everyday life.

📊 Diagram: Figure 6 depicts Doctor Dolittle sitting in his kitchen talking with the Cat’s-food-Man, while the parrot Polynesia listens from the window.

🧪 Activity: Students complete sentences about Doctor Dolittle's reaction and discuss whether he would be famous as an animal doctor.

🔗 Connection: Prepares for the story of Doctor Dolittle treating various animals and becoming famous.