Chapter 12 Medicine and Magic Polynesia moved quietly.
She slipped out of the tree and flew to the prison.
Once again, she entered the cell through the high window.
All the animals were sitting quietly on the floor.
They looked worried.
It was scary being back in the prison.
Dr. Doolittle, however, was taking a nap.
Polynesia cleared her throat until the doctor woke up.
He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
Listen, Polynesia said.
Chi-Chi and I have a plan.
The prince is going to come see you tonight.
I told him that you have magical powers.
He wants you to turn him into a fairy tale hero.
Excuse me, Dr. Doolittle cried.
How on earth will I do that?
I'm a doctor.
I know nothing about magic.
Dr. Doolittle is right, Dab-Dab said.
You can't just turn the prince into someone from a book.
That's impossible.
Well?
Polynesian continued, ''I convinced the prince that it was true.
I've already done my part.
Now you need to do yours.
Then, when he offers a reward, you must ask to be set free.''
Dr. Doolittle sighed.
''Very well,'' he said.
''When will the prince be here?''
''He is coming to see you after the sun sets,'' Polynesia replied.
Then I suppose I should get to work, he said.
He took his notebook out of his pocket.
I have only a few hours to think of a plan.
That night the prince visited the prison.
He told the guards to wait by the door and stepped inside the cell.
He felt nervous talking to the great doctor, but tried to sound strong.
Good evening, doctor.
He said, The Queen of the Fairies said I should speak to you.
She said you could help me.
Of course, Dr. Doolittle said.
I'll do whatever I can.
The doctor sounded as kind and helpful as always.
He could not even pretend to be mean.
I love to read, the prince said.
I read all the time.
It's my favorite thing to do, but there is never anyone in the stories like me.
They wear fancy clothes.
They all have blonde hair and blue eyes.
They all have horses and fight dragons.
I see, Dr. Doolittle said.
You would like to be like the people in the stories.
Yes, exactly, the prince said.
Do you know that it's very hard to be happy when you try to be someone that you're not?
Dr. Doolittle said.
I know what I want, the prince said.
I want to be like a hero in a fairy tale.
Very well, then, the doctor said.
You will have to excuse me a moment.
I need to mix together some medicine.
We'll need a special potion.
Dr. Doolittle turned to his medicine bag.
He took out different bottles.
He poured some into a bowl and mixed them up.
This was not real medicine.
Polynesia had spent the afternoon gathering water for him.
When he was finished mixing, he turned back to the prince.
You must drink this quickly, he said.
Try to drink it all in three gulps.
The prince took the bowl and did exactly as Dr. Doolittle asked.
How are you feeling?
Dr. Doolittle asked.
I don't know, the prince stuttered.
I don't really know if I feel anything.
Just then, Jip started to bark.
He stood in front of the prince and barked at him.
The prince stepped back.
What's wrong with your dog?
Then dab-dab started to quack.
Tutu hooted at the prince.
Goodness me, Dr. Doolittle exclaimed.
The potion is working quickly.
Really, the prince said.
Do you have a mirror?
No, I'm sorry, Dr. Doolittle said.
We don't have a mirror.
But how will I know what has happened?
I need to see for myself.
Look at the animals.
They seem very upset.
Something incredible must be happening.
Everyone knows that animals don't lie.
The prince looked at all the animals.
They were certainly very excited.
He looked back at the doctor.
Could you describe me, then?
Of course, Dr. Doolittle said.
You are much taller.
You look just like someone who could fight a dragon.
What do I look like? the prince said.
Am I blonde with blue eyes?
You look like a hero in the fairy tales, the doctor said.
Then I must be tall and blonde, the prince insisted.
There are many different kinds of heroes, Dr. Doolittle said.
The prince was very happy.
He was certain he was exactly as he had imagined.
How can I thank you, he said.
You could let us go free, the doctor said.
It is not good for my animals to be locked up like this.
Of course, the prince said.
I'll tell the guards to let you go right away.
Tutu cleared his throat.
Jip nudged the doctor's leg to remind him.
Oh, yes, the doctor said.
We'll also need a boat.
We need to get home as soon as possible.
I can do that as well, the prince said.
He moved toward the door.
Wait, Dr. Doolittle said.
There's one more important thing.
You must stay indoors for at least three hours.
No moonlight or wind should touch you.
Otherwise, the spell won't work.
Oh, thank you, the prince said.
I'm glad you warned The prince went to the door and opened it just a crack.
He stood back so no moonlight would fall on him.
The guards could not see him from behind the door.
Guards, he called, I give permission to set these prisoners free.
You must escort them to the sea.
They will be taking one of our boats.
Please make sure that they leave in safety.
A king, one of the guards said, he won't be happy if they are gone.
I'll worry about my father, the prince said.
Now, do as I say and take them to the water.
The guards did as they were told.
Dr. Doolittle and the animals followed them to the sea.
The guards pointed to a boat.
You can take that one, a guard said.
We have to get back to the prison now.
We don't have time to help you on board.
That's all right, Dr. Doolittle said.
We thank you for bringing us here.
Once the guards had left, all the animals sighed.
That was a good plan, Gub-Gub said.
The prince really believed that Jip was upset.
How did you think to trick him like that?
Tutu asked.
How did you know he would believe you?
He wanted to believe it was true.
I knew we only had to pretend and he would believe us.
It was very clever of you, Polynesia said.
I rather wish that I had thought of it.
Well, as any good doctor knows, Dr. Doolittle said, sometimes common sense is the best medicine.
Before Dr. Doolittle and the animals went on the boat, they had to say goodbye.
Chi-Chi, Polynesia, and the crocodile had decided to stay in Africa.
They loved living with the doctor and Puddleby, but they missed their families too much.
It would be too hard to leave them again.
It was a sad time for everyone.
Dr Doolittle Jip Gub-Gub Dab-Dab, the White Mouse, the Push-Me-Pull-You and Too-Too the Owl went on the boat.
They looked back to the shore and waved to their friends.
There was a flutter in the trees.
Everyone looked toward the jungle.
There was a full moon that night so they could see clearly.
Suddenly, thousands of swallows flew into the air.
I had no idea that we had been in Africa so long, said the doctor.
It will be nearly summer when we get home.
These must be the swallows who are going back.
How kind of you to wait for us, he called to the birds.
We are heading north now.
It would help to have you lead us.
So the boat set sail.
Dr. Doolittle and his animal stood at the railing.
They waved to the friends on shore.
Chi-Chi, Polynesia, and the crocodile called goodbye until their throats were sore.
The doctor had promised that he would spend his vacations back in Africa with his friends, but it was still a sad moment and they all cried bitter tears.
