The Story of Doctor Dolittle

John Dolittle, MD, lives in the English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, where his love of animals starts to interfere with his doctor practice. When he learnes the secret off speaking to all animals from his parrot Polynesia, he decides to become a vet. As his reputation grows, Dolittle is invited to Africa to cure a monkey epidemic. The trip comes just in time as he is on the verge of bankruptcy, and has to borrow both supplies and a ship. He sails with a crew of his favourite animals, finds the monkeys, vaccinates the well and nurses the sick back to health. In appreciation, the monkeys find the pushmi-pullyu, a shy two-headed gazelle-unicorn cross, whose rarity may bring Dr. Dolittle money back home. On the return trip, they are captured in Jolliginki again, escape, have a couple of run-ins with pirates, and finally make it home. Here Dolittle tours with the pushmi-pullyu in a circus until he makes enough money to retire to his beloved home in Puddleby.