The Story of Dr. Doolittle recap

Doctor John Dolittle loses his human medical practice after his many pets overrun his house, but his parrot Polynesia teaches him animal language and he becomes a successful animal doctor. When an epidemic threatens the monkeys of Africa, he sails there with several animal companions. A suspicious king imprisons the travelers, but the king's son helps them escape. The Doctor organizes the jungle animals into a nursing service and stops the disease. The grateful monkeys give him the rare Pushmi-Pullyu, whose exhibition can finance the journey home. After another imprisonment and escape, the party is pursued by pirates, recovers a stolen ship, and rescues a marooned fisherman. Back in England, the Pushmi-Pullyu earns enough to clear the Doctor's debts. He returns the creature to Africa and settles again in Puddleby as a celebrated physician to animals.

Doctor John Dolittle lives in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh with his sister Sarah and an expanding household of animals. Their presence drives away his human patients and leaves him in financial trouble. Polynesia, his parrot, discovers that he can learn animal speech and teaches him its principles. With practice he understands many species and becomes an animal doctor, attracting patients from near and far. Although the new work establishes his reputation, his generosity and the cost of feeding his household keep him poor. Then a monkey brings word of a dangerous epidemic among the monkeys of Africa. The Doctor decides to cross the sea and help, taking Polynesia, Jip, Dab-Dab, Gub-Gub, Too-Too, and Chee-Chee with him.

Doctor Dolittle borrows a leaky ship and sails for Africa with his animal companions. After a difficult voyage they reach the kingdom of Jolliginki, whose ruler distrusts white visitors because a previous man abused his hospitality. The king has the Doctor and the animals locked up rather than allow them to travel inland. Polynesia tricks a guard and helps the party escape toward the monkey country. They find that the epidemic is widespread and that too few healthy monkeys remain to care for the sick. A community of apes forms a living bridge across a chasm so the Doctor can continue. When he asks the other jungle animals for nursing help, the leader of the lions initially refuses.

The lion leader changes his mind when his own cubs fall ill, and the lions and other animals join Doctor Dolittle's organized care system. By separating the sick, preparing food, and carrying out the Doctor's instructions, they bring the outbreak under control. In gratitude, the monkeys offer him a Pushmi-Pullyu, a rare two-headed creature willing to be exhibited so the penniless Doctor can fund his passage home. On the return toward the coast, the king's soldiers capture the party again. Prince Bumpo, who wants the Doctor's help changing his appearance, secretly makes a bargain with him and releases the prisoners from their cell.

Doctor Dolittle and his companions reach the shore but discover that their ship has been stolen. They take a vessel left by Barbary pirates, only to learn from migrating birds that the pirates are pursuing them in the Doctor's own ship. Polynesia directs the birds to cover the pirates' deck and rigging, disabling their vessel long enough for the Doctor's party to board it. The pirates flee, and the travelers recover their original ship. Rats aboard the captured vessel warn that it is unsafe, so the Doctor transfers back to his own craft. Too-Too's hearing and the animals' other senses continue to guide the voyage as the group turns toward England.

On the homeward voyage, seabirds tell Doctor Dolittle that a boy is adrift in a small boat. The party rescues him and learns that his fisherman uncle has disappeared. Jip catches the missing man's scent despite the vast stretch of water and guides the ship to a rocky island, where the fisherman is found alive. After reuniting uncle and nephew, the Doctor returns to Puddleby. He exhibits the Pushmi-Pullyu, whose rarity attracts crowds and earns enough money to settle his debts and restore his household. He later takes the animal back to Africa as promised. Financially secure and famous among animals around the world, Doctor Dolittle resumes his life as their physician.

After recovering his stolen ship from the pirates, Doctor Dolittle rescues a boy whose fisherman uncle has been abandoned on a rocky island. Jip follows the missing man's scent across the sea, and the party reunites the family before sailing on. At Puddleby, the Doctor exhibits the Pushmi-Pullyu and earns enough money to repay his debts, repair his home, and live comfortably. He eventually brings the rare animal back rather than keep it on display. Doctor Dolittle resumes his quiet life among the animals, now famous enough that creatures throughout the world know where to seek his help.