The Story of Doctor Dolittle, Revised Edition recap

Doctor John Dolittle's love of animals ruins his ordinary medical practice, but Polynesia teaches him animal speech and enables him to become a doctor for animals. When Chee-Chee reports an epidemic among African monkeys, Dolittle sails to help with a group of loyal animal companions. They survive a wreck and other obstacles, reach the sick monkeys, and organize the animals into an effective system of nursing and treatment. In gratitude, the monkeys entrust the rare two-headed Pushmi-Pullyu to him. During the return journey, Dolittle's party escapes danger at sea, defeats pirates, and reunites a lost man with his nephew through cooperation among animals. Back in England, a successful exhibition of the Pushmi-Pullyu clears the Doctor's debts and lets him resume his chosen life caring for animals.

Doctor John Dolittle keeps so many animals in his Puddleby home that his human patients gradually abandon him. His sister Sarah worries about the household and its dwindling money. Polynesia the parrot explains that animals have languages, then teaches the Doctor to understand their speech. Dolittle proves exceptionally good at diagnosing creatures because they can now tell him what is wrong, and he builds a new reputation as an animal doctor. His generosity keeps him from becoming financially secure. Chee-Chee then arrives with news that monkeys in Africa are suffering from a spreading disease. Dolittle resolves to travel there, despite the distance and expense, and gathers his animal companions for the expedition.

Doctor Dolittle obtains a ship and crosses the sea with Polynesia, Jip, Dab-Dab, Too-Too, Gub-Gub, Chee-Chee, and other companions. A storm wrecks the vessel near Africa, forcing the travelers ashore without the easy passage they expected. Human suspicion and local barriers delay them further, but Polynesia's resourcefulness helps the party continue inland. Animals cooperate to carry news, find routes, and keep the travelers ahead of danger as they press toward the region where the monkeys are ill.

The animal community helps Doctor Dolittle cross a deep ravine and reach the center of the epidemic. The number of sick monkeys is overwhelming, so he asks other animals to supply food and serve as nurses. Some initially refuse, but the seriousness of the disease eventually produces wider cooperation. Dolittle establishes an organized system that separates cases, delivers care, and brings the outbreak under control. The monkeys, grateful for his work, introduce him to the Pushmi-Pullyu, a shy two-headed animal so rare that almost no human has seen one. It agrees to return to England with the Doctor and help him recover financially.

After further delays, Doctor Dolittle and his companions secure a vessel and begin the voyage home with the Pushmi-Pullyu. The animals' heightened senses repeatedly protect the party: rats detect that a ship is unsafe, while birds carry warnings and information over great distances. Their route brings them into conflict with pirates, and Dolittle must rely on coordinated help from animals rather than force alone. After overcoming the immediate threat, the travelers learn of a boy separated from his uncle and take up the search.

Birds and sea creatures spread Doctor Dolittle's questions across the ocean, and Jip uses his exceptional nose to locate the missing uncle on a rocky island. The man is rescued and reunited with his nephew. Dolittle then completes the journey to England with his companions and the Pushmi-Pullyu. Still facing the debts created by the expedition, he arranges a public exhibition of the rare animal while ensuring that it remains safe and comfortable. The crowds provide enough income to settle his finances. With the voyage finished and his home secure, Dolittle returns to Puddleby and resumes treating animals.

Doctor Dolittle and his companions overcome the pirates they encounter on the homeward voyage and use the communication networks of birds and sea animals to help a boy find his missing uncle. Jip's powerful sense of smell completes the search, and uncle and nephew are reunited. Dolittle eventually reaches Puddleby with the Pushmi-Pullyu and the friends who traveled with him. Because the journey has left him in debt, he presents the rare animal to paying audiences under humane conditions. The exhibition succeeds, allowing him to meet his obligations and return to his house with enough money to continue his work as an animal doctor.