The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting recap

Doctor John Dolittle loses his human medical practice because he fills his home with animals, then learns animal languages from his parrot Polynesia and becomes a gifted veterinarian. When swallows report that African monkeys are dying in an epidemic, he sails with several animal companions to help. An African king detains the travelers, but they escape, cross a living bridge made by apes, and reach the monkeys. The Doctor organizes treatment, and even the reluctant lions eventually assist. In gratitude, the monkeys give him the rare two-headed Pushmi-Pullyu. Prince Bumpo helps the party escape imprisonment and begin the voyage home. Pursued by pirates, the Doctor relies on birds, rats, and his companions to take the pirate ship and leave its crew alive on an island. He then rescues a missing fisherman, guided across the sea by Jip's sense of smell. The Pushmi-Pullyu later earns money through a short circus exhibition, allowing the Doctor to pay his debts and return comfortably to Puddleby.

Doctor John Dolittle lives in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh with his sister Sarah and an ever-growing household of animals. His human patients object to the creatures, especially when a crocodile moves in, and his medical practice collapses. Polynesia, his old parrot, reveals that animals have languages of their own and patiently teaches him to understand them. The Doctor's unusual gift soon makes him a successful animal physician, but his lack of interest in money and the cost of caring for so many dependents leave the household poor. Sarah departs, and the animals organize the home as best they can. Then swallows bring urgent news from Africa: monkeys are dying in a fast-moving epidemic, and the only doctor capable of speaking directly with them may be their best hope. Despite having little money and facing a long sea journey, Dolittle agrees to go. He prepares to sail with Polynesia, Jip, Dab-Dab, Gub-Gub, and Too-Too.

Doctor Dolittle borrows a ship and sets out for Africa with his animal companions, depending on Polynesia's experience and the help of creatures they meet. After a difficult arrival, the local king refuses them passage through his country because an earlier white visitor behaved cruelly and dishonestly. The Doctor and his animals are confined, delaying the mission while the monkey sickness spreads. Polynesia uses mimicry and quick planning to secure their escape. Pursued through the country, the travelers reach a steep divide that seems impossible to cross. The apes form a living bridge, allowing the Doctor and his party to reach the stricken monkey community. Dolittle begins examining patients and organizing treatment, but the healthy monkeys caring for the sick become exhausted. He asks the other African animals to help. The leader of the lions initially refuses, insisting that lions should not serve monkeys, and the rescue effort faces a shortage of strong helpers just when the epidemic is at its worst.

Doctor Dolittle has escaped the king's custody and crossed into the monkey country, where he organizes the sick into groups and works to contain the epidemic. At first the lions refuse to help nurse or carry monkeys. After the leader's family is touched by the crisis, however, he changes course, and the stronger animals join the work. With their assistance and the Doctor's treatment, the epidemic is brought under control. The grateful monkeys give Dolittle a Pushmi-Pullyu, an extremely rare and gentle animal with a head at each end. They believe people will pay to see it and that the Doctor can use the proceeds to settle his debts. On the return to the coast, the king's soldiers capture the party again. Prince Bumpo, the king's son, privately asks Dolittle to change his appearance. The Doctor agrees in exchange for help, and Bumpo releases the prisoners and shows them a way out. Dolittle and his companions recover a vessel and leave Africa with the Pushmi-Pullyu, hoping at last to sail home.

With the African monkeys cured, Doctor Dolittle's party receives the rare Pushmi-Pullyu as a gift and escapes the king's renewed imprisonment through Prince Bumpo's assistance. During the voyage home, sea birds warn that the notorious pirate Ben Ali, called the Barbary Dragon, is pursuing them. The swallows help the Doctor's slower vessel by managing its sails, and the animals cooperate to stay ahead, but the danger continues. Dolittle ultimately boards the pirate ship while Ben Ali and his crew are driven off and left on an island. Polynesia confronts them in a voice they take for a warning from beyond ordinary human authority, and the frightened pirates promise to give up robbery and become peaceful farmers. Rats then tell Dolittle that his own ship is no longer seaworthy and will sink. He transfers his companions to the captured vessel. The travelers have survived both the chase and the failing ship without killing the pirates, and they now possess a sound vessel for the rest of the journey home.

After curing the monkeys and escaping Africa with the Pushmi-Pullyu, Doctor Dolittle defeats Ben Ali's pursuit, leaves the pirates alive under a promise to reform, and transfers to their ship when rats warn that his vessel is sinking. A grieving boy found aboard explains that his fisherman uncle has vanished at sea. The Doctor questions ocean animals and learns that the man is alive on an isolated rock, but darkness and distance make him difficult to locate. Jip is given an article carrying the fisherman's scent and, from the ship, guides the search across miles of open water until the man is rescued. His home village welcomes and assists the travelers. On the journey overland, a circus proprietor pays to exhibit the Pushmi-Pullyu. The animal agrees to appear for a limited period so the Doctor can rebuild his finances. The earnings pay his debts and leave the household secure. Dolittle and all his companions finally return to Puddleby, where his fame has grown but his life's work remains caring for animals.

After escaping Africa, Doctor Dolittle and his companions take the pirates' ship when rats warn that their own vessel is sinking. The pirates are left on an island, where Polynesia makes them promise to abandon piracy and live peacefully. A boy found aboard tells the Doctor that his fisherman uncle is missing. Sea creatures confirm that the man survived on a rock, and Jip uses the scent from the man's belongings to guide a nighttime search that brings him safely home. The grateful fishing village welcomes and assists the travelers. On the overland journey back to Puddleby, the Pushmi-Pullyu agrees to appear for a limited time in a circus. Its earnings clear the Doctor's debts and provide enough money for the household. He returns home famous but still devoted to animals, with his companions safe and his practice financially secure.