The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle
The central figure embarking on a voyage of discovery.
Prologue
The great man whose life the narrator is setting down, having given permission years ago.
I Hear of the Great Naturalist
The great naturalist who is away on a voyage; Tommy learns of his ability to speak animal languages and his reputation as a healer of animals.
The Doctor's Home
The kind, shabby little man who collides with Tommy in the storm and brings him home to dry off.
The Wiff-Waff
Welcomes Tommy, cooks supper, explains his study of shellfish language, and agrees to help Tommy's sick squirrel.
Polynesia
The Doctor shares memories of Polynesia, learns of her return, and accompanies Tommy home.
The Wounded Squirrel
Visits Tommy's home, plays the flute beautifully, and treats the wounded squirrel with skill and compassion.
VII: Shellfish Talk
Found in his study experimenting with a Wiff-Waff fish; discusses the limitations of its language and his desire to explore the deep sea.
Are You a Good Noticer?
Leaves breakfast to attend to a sick hare; is praised for his kindness and overwork.
The Garden of Dreams
Shows Tommy the garden, explains the animals' behavior, and introduces Cheapside.
The Private Zoo
Leads Tommy through the private zoo, explaining its design and his views on animal captivity.
My Schoolmaster, Polynesia
The Doctor is seen reading a letter aloud to a retriever dog, translating it into dog language. He is busy with his work but is a central figure in Tommy's new life.
My Great Idea
The Doctor listens to Tommy's proposal, agrees to visit his parents, and shares stories about Long Arrow.
A Traveler Arrives
Welcomes Chee-Chee back and sends Tommy to fetch peanuts and bananas for the monkey.
Chee-Chee’s Voyage
Welcomes Chee-Chee back and ensures his bed is ready.
XV: I Become a Doctor's Assistant
Arranges with Tommy's parents for Tommy to live with him and learn, and secures permission for voyages.
The Crew of The Curlew
Discouraged by shellfish language study, plans a voyage and inspects The Curlew.
Luke the Hermit
Visits Luke's shack with Tommy, notices the open door and Jip's suspicious behavior, questions Jip but gets no answer.
IV: Bob
Visits Luke in prison, tries to cheer him up, and enlists Bob's help for the trial.
V: Mendoza
Explains courtroom roles to Tommy, introduces Mr. Jenkyns, and is called as a witness to testify about his ability to understand animal language.
VI: The Judge's Dog
Demonstrates his ability to talk to animals in court, conversing with the judge's dog and revealing details about the judge's supper and evening activities.
The End of the Mystery
Translates Bob's testimony for the court, revealing the truth about Luke's past.
Three Cheers
Celebrates Luke's acquittal by dancing on a chair, then escapes the crowd with Tommy.
The Purple Bird-of-Paradise
Returns home, fumbles with his key in excitement, and deals with Cheapside's insult to Miranda.
Long Arrow, the Son of Golden Arrow
Expresses concern and disappointment over Long Arrow's disappearance, showing his deep respect for Long Arrow's knowledge.
Blind Travel
Upset by the news of Long Arrow's disappearance, but cheers up when proposing the 'Blind Travel' game; reveals he discovered the North Pole in 1809.
Destiny and Destination
Uses his spectacles to read the tiny print on the map and identifies Spidermonkey Island as the place where Long Arrow was last seen.
The Third Man
Arrives with natural history items, turns down Ben Butcher, and warmly greets Prince Bumpo, agreeing to take him on the voyage.
Goodbye!
Leads the voyage, remains calm during mishaps, steers the boat into open sea.
Our Troubles Begin
Handles the stowaway situations with kindness, lending money and writing a letter for Luke.
Our Troubles Continue
Decides the ship's course, teaches the crew navigation, and angrily confronts Ben Butcher for stowing away.
The Bed-Maker of Monteverde
Converses in Spanish with the bed-maker about birds and accepts his hospitality.
The Doctor's Wager
Expresses strong opposition to bullfighting, calling it cruel and cowardly, and makes a daring wager to enter the bullring.
VIII: The Great Bullfight
Borrows a bullfighter's suit, communicates with bulls in their language, performs daring stunts, and defeats Pepito de Malaga.
We Depart in a Hurry
Leaves the bullring quietly to prepare the ship for departure.
I: Shellfish Languages Again
Excitedly discovers the fidgit speaks English and whistles tunes, deducing it escaped from an aquarium.
The Fidgit's Story
Works tirelessly through the night to learn the fidgit's language, translates the fidgit's story, and falls asleep from exhaustion.
Bad Weather
Shows unease about the lack of wind, uses his sextant and maps, and takes the wheel when the storm hits.
IV: Wrecked!
Survives on the other half of the ship, shaving by moonlight; had tied Tommy to the mast during the storm.
Land!
Calm and resourceful after the shipwreck; saves his notebooks and gives orders to porpoises and Miranda; tries to communicate with hostile Indians.
The Jabizri
Captures the Jabizri beetle, deciphers the picture-letter, and leads the rescue mission for Long Arrow.
Hawk's-Head Mountain
Leads the search party with determination, devises the plan to follow the beetle, and confirms life inside the mountain with three knocks.
A Great Moment
Leads the effort to free Long Arrow, communicates in eagle language, and is celebrated by the islanders.
The Men of the Moving Land
Learns of the chief's death from cold and considers the island's future; is carried into the village by grateful Indians; discovers the Popsipetels have no fire.
Fire
Examines the chilled baby, devises a method to make fire without matches, and teaches the Popsipetels how to use and handle fire safely.
What Makes an Island Float
Discovers the island's southward drift, consults porpoises, and orchestrates the whale-pushing plan.
War!
Takes up a club and joins the defense of the village, forming part of the Terrible Three with Long Arrow and Bumpo.
General Polynesia
Fights valiantly as the last of the 'Terribles' and later tends to the wounded.
VII: The Peace of the Parrots
Shows rare anger at the Bag-jagderags for attacking the Popsipetels, dictates the Peace of the Parrots, and refuses offers of wealth to stay.
The Hanging Stone
Explores the island, examines the hanging stone, and explains its potential danger to the island's buoyancy.
IX: The Election
Awakened to the news of his election as king; distressed and resistant, he tries to escape the responsibility but is ultimately carried to the coronation.
X: The Coronation of King Jong
Crowned as King Jong; his small figure sits on the throne, feet dangling; keeps his battered hat on his lap; the island sinks after his coronation.
I: New Popsipetel
Serves as King Jong Thinkalot, tirelessly building the new city, teaching, and judging; reluctantly accepts royal ceremony.
Thoughts of Home
King of Popsipetel, struggles with the responsibility of leadership and his longing for home.
III: The Red Man’s Science
Overjoyed at Long Arrow's return, he examines the plant collection with great interest and recognizes its scientific value.
IV: The Sea-Serpent
Becomes excited upon seeing the snail, investigates its condition, and seeks to cure its injured tail.
The Shellfish Riddle Solved at Last
Sits on the shore like King Knut, communicates with the snail via interpreters, treats the snail's sprained tail, and considers taking a holiday.
The Last Cabinet Meeting
Absent from the meeting; has gone to the beach to sit with the snail, showing his distraction and longing for natural history.
VII: The Doctor's Decision
Torn between duty to the Popsipetel natives and his longing to return to his animal work, he ultimately decides to leave, laying down his crown and boarding the snail.
