Chapter 3 Success at Last The butcher helped spread the word.
Soon everyone knew that Dr. Doolittle was now helping animals.
Whole ladies brought their poodles who had eaten too much cake.
Farmers traveled many miles to bring him sick cows and sheep.
Children carried their cats with the sniffles.
Dr. Doolittle had many new patients, and he was a very happy man.
One day a plow horse was brought to him.
The poor thing was glad to find a man who could talk to him.
It had been so hard for him not being understood.
Oh, you know, doctor, the horse said.
The first vet they took me to knew nothing at all.
For the past six weeks he has been giving me medicine for headaches.
What I really need is glasses.
I'm going blind in one eye.
Dr. Doolittle looked carefully into the horse's left eye.
It was indeed cloudy.
I can make you some glasses right away, he said.
I'd like some just like yours, the horse said.
Except I would like green glass in mine.
That will help block the sun when I'm working in the field.
Of course, Dr. Doolittle replied.
Green ones you shall have.
He led the plow horse to the door of his office.
I'll have them ready for you next week, he said.
You know, doctor, the horse said as he walked out the door.
The trouble with most vets is that they think everything they do is correct because the animals don't complain.
I'm a pretty quiet creature as a rule, the horse continued.
I'm usually patient with people.
It's just so difficult when they are clearly paying no attention.
I'm afraid that I sometimes lose my temper.
We must all try to be patient, the good doctor said.
You should try to remember that most people mean well.
Dr. Doolittle patted the horse on the back and sent him on his way.
When the horse returned a week later, the doctor gave him a big pair of green glasses.
As you might imagine, people were surprised to see a horse wearing glasses.
Whenever he was in the field working, people stopped and stared.
However, they were not surprised to learn the glasses came from Dr. Doolittle.
It was just the kind of thing they were coming to expect from him.
It wasn't long before it was common to see a horse wearing glasses.
Then there were dogs wearing casts and a cat walking with a crutch.
There was a cow wearing a neck brace and a goat wearing a monocle.
All these animals were so happy with Dr. Doolittle that they told other animals.
Word spread from one county to the next.
Creatures everywhere were excited to learn that an animal doctor could understand their language.
He would listen to them and help them with any problem.
Wild animals heard about Dr. Doolittle, too.
Many came in from the forest to see him.
Badgers, bats, squirrels, wolves, owls, and foxes all gathered in his yard.
Eventually, there were so many animals that Dr. Doolittle had to organize them all.
He made special signs to go above doors for the different kinds of animals.
He wrote horses over the front door, cows over the side door, and sheep over the kitchen door.
Even the mice had their own tiny entrance by the cellar.
This made things much easier for the doctor.
He could then go see the animals as they lined up patiently by their door.
Dr. Doolittle's life continued like this for several years.
Animals from miles around came to Puddleby on the marsh to see him.
In this way, he became famous among the animals all over the world.
Dr. Doolittle was happy, and he liked his life very much.
One day, Polynesia sat on her usual perch at the window.
She was looking outside.
Suddenly, she began to laugh.
Whatever is so funny?
Dr. Doolittle asked.
He had been reading the morning paper and was surprised by the bird's laughter.
I was just thinking that people are so funny, she said.
They spend so much time with animals, but the only thing they've learned is that a dog wagging his tail means he's happy.
And that made you laugh.
The doctor asked think it's funny that you're the first one to try to understand us?
After all these years, someone finally took the time to understand.'
Polynesia shook her head, laughing.
"'Well, I suppose that is strange,' Dr. Doolittle said.
"'I knew a McCall once, who would say good morning in seven different human languages.'
An old professor taught him, Polynesia said.
But my friend was frustrated.
He said the old man didn't speak Greek properly.
He wanted to correct them, but worried that it might be rude.
Polynesia suddenly looked serious.
She turned to Dr. Doolittle and said, There are so many things that people can't do.
They can't fly.
They can't stay underwater for long periods of time.
They can't run as fast as a cart or train.
Yep, they still think they are better than everything else around them.
Why is that?
I'm sorry, the doctor said sadly.
I don't know the answer to that question.
I've often wondered the very same thing.
