The Story of Doctor Dolittle

A História do Doutor Dolittle

Hugh Lofting

ESL Easy Read

Reading Comprehension B1 • Original Text • Português Support

SAMPLE

Copyright

Fonte original — domínio público

Esta edição ESL Easy Read foi adaptada a partir de The Story of Doctor Dolittle, de Hugh Lofting, publicado originalmente em 1920.

A obra original encontra-se em domínio público e pode ser utilizada, reproduzida, distribuída e adaptada de acordo com a legislação aplicável.

Autor

Hugh Lofting (1886–1947)

Estados Unidos

Esta obra foi publicada originalmente em 1920.

Nos Estados Unidos, obras publicadas antes de 1930 encontram-se normalmente em domínio público.

Com base no ano de publicação disponível, esta obra encontra-se em domínio público nos Estados Unidos desde 1º de janeiro de 2016.

Brasil

Autor: Hugh Lofting (1886–1947)

De acordo com a Lei nº 9.610/1998, os direitos patrimoniais expiram 70 anos após a morte do autor, contados a partir de 1º de janeiro do ano seguinte ao falecimento.

Hugh Lofting faleceu em 1947.

Situação no Brasil: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Portugal

Autor: Hugh Lofting (1886–1947)

De acordo com o Código do Direito de Autor e dos Direitos Conexos, a proteção patrimonial dura 70 anos após a morte do autor.

Hugh Lofting faleceu em 1947.

Situação em Portugal: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Dados da publicação original

Obra original: The Story of Doctor Dolittle

Autor: Hugh Lofting

Primeira publicação: 1920

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Introdução

Como ler este livro

Cada livro desta coleção é apresentado em um nível de leitura simplificada, de acordo com o CEFR — Quadro Europeu Comum de Referência para Línguas.

A2 — Básico: indicado para leitores que já compreendem frases simples, vocabulário frequente e textos curtos sobre situações do cotidiano.

B1 — Intermediário: indicado para leitores que conseguem compreender as ideias principais de textos claros e acompanhar uma narrativa com vocabulário e estruturas de dificuldade moderada.

B2 — Intermediário avançado: indicado para leitores que já conseguem compreender textos mais complexos, acompanhar descrições detalhadas e reconhecer uma variedade maior de vocabulário e estruturas gramaticais.

Este livro foi adaptado para o nível B1.

Assim, você pode começar a lê-lo mesmo sem dominar completamente o inglês. O texto foi simplificado para facilitar a compreensão, preservando a história, os personagens e os acontecimentos principais da obra original.

Como usar as notas

No texto de leitura simplificada, cada parágrafo possui um link Pt/En. Esse link abre uma nota com a tradução em português do texto simplificado e o trecho correspondente no texto original em inglês.

No texto original em inglês, o link PT leva diretamente ao parágrafo correspondente na versão em português. Na tradução portuguesa, o link En retorna ao parágrafo correspondente no texto original.

A tradução para o português é feita a partir do texto em inglês simplificado, e não diretamente do texto original. O objetivo é ajudar você a compreender com precisão a frase simplificada que está estudando naquele momento.

O texto original em inglês é apresentado separadamente para a etapa seguinte do aprendizado, quando você já estiver preparado para ler e comparar a obra em sua forma original.

Cada nota contém links que permitem retornar exatamente ao parágrafo que você estava lendo.

Sobre este livro

A História do Doutor Dolittle, escrita e ilustrada por Hugh Lofting, apresenta John Dolittle, um médico bondoso na fictícia vila inglesa de Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. Inicialmente médico de humanos, seu amor pelos animais o leva a acumular uma coleção de bichos, afugentando seus pacientes humanos. Com a ajuda de sua papagaia Polinésia, que lhe ensina a linguagem dos animais, Dolittle torna-se veterinário. Sua fama se espalha, e ele recebe um chamado da África para ajudar macacos que sofrem de uma doença mortal. Acompanhado por seus amigos animais — incluindo a pata Dab-Dab, o cão Jip, o porco Gub-Gub, a coruja Too-Too e o macaco Chee-Chee — ele embarca em uma viagem marítima. A jornada é repleta de perigos: um naufrágio, captura por piratas e encontros com criaturas exóticas. A compaixão de Dolittle e sua habilidade de se comunicar com os animais permitem que ele supere esses desafios. O tom é caprichoso e aventureiro, mesclando humor com momentos de tensão. A história progride da vida tranquila de Dolittle para uma grande aventura, destacando temas de empatia e cooperação. O conflito central envolve superar obstáculos para chegar à África e salvar os macacos, além de enfrentar a ganância dos piratas. A narrativa celebra o vínculo entre humanos e animais, com Dolittle como um defensor dos que não têm voz. O cenário muda do interior inglês para a costa africana e um navio pirata, cada um descrito vividamente. Os personagens são distintos: Polinésia é esperta e sábia, Gub-Gub é glutão e Jip é leal. A história termina com o retorno de Dolittle para casa, mas a resolução final da epidemia dos macacos não é totalmente detalhada, deixando espaço para futuras aventuras.

Nota editorial

A tradução para o português e a versão Reading Comprehension B1 foram geradas com apoio de inteligência artificial e submetidas a revisão editorial.

Em caso de dúvida ou observações, fale conosco.

MicMac from Las Vegas LLC
Contato: admin@micmacfromlasvegas.com

Outros livros e materiais

Materiais e outros livros da série ESL Easy Read:

Coleção Doctor Dolittle

Doctor Dolittle in the Moon

Doctor Dolittle's Caravan

Doctor Dolittle's Circus

Doctor Dolittle's Garden

Doctor Dolittle's Post Office

Doctor Dolittle's Zoo

The Story of Doctor Dolittle

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

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www.micmacfromlasvegas.com

Reading Comprehension B1

1 - PUDDLEBY

2 - ANIMAL LANGUAGE

3 - MORE MONEY TROUBLES

4 - A MESSAGE FROM AFRICA

PUDDLEBY

Pt/En A long time ago, when people's grandfathers were children, there was a doctor named John Dolittle. The letters "M.D." after his name showed that he was a qualified doctor with a great deal of knowledge.

Pt/En He lived in a small town called Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. Everyone in the town knew him. When he walked in his tall hat, people would say he was a clever doctor. Dogs and children often followed him, and even the crows from the church tower would make sounds and nod their heads.

Pt/En His house, located at the edge of the town, was small. However, his garden was very large, featuring a wide lawn, stone seats, and weeping willow trees. His sister, Sarah Dolittle, managed the house, but the doctor himself took care of the garden.

Pt/En Doctor Dolittle was very fond of animals and kept many different kinds as pets. He had goldfish, rabbits, white mice, a squirrel, and a hedgehog, among other animals like a cow, a horse, chickens, pigeons, and lambs. His most special pets were Dab-Dab the duck, Jip the dog, Gub-Gub the baby pig, Polynesia the parrot, and Too-Too the owl.

Pt/En His sister often complained about the animals, saying they made the house messy. One day, an elderly lady with rheumatism sat on a hedgehog that was sleeping on the sofa. Because of this uncomfortable experience, she stopped visiting the doctor and instead traveled ten miles to another town every Saturday to see a different doctor.

Pt/En The woman did not visit him again.

Pt/En Then his sister, Sarah Dolittle, came to him and spoke.

Pt/En Sarah told John that he could not expect sick people to visit him because he kept animals in his house. She explained that animals had caused four people to leave. She mentioned that Squire Jenkins and the Parson would not come to his house again, even if they were very sick. Sarah also said that they were becoming poorer and that if he continued this way, important people would not choose him as their doctor.

Pt/En The Doctor replied that he liked the animals more than the important people.

Pt/En His sister told him he was being silly and then left the room.

Pt/En As time passed, Doctor Dolittle collected more and more animals. This meant fewer people visited him. Eventually, only the Cat's-meat-Man still came, as he didn't mind animals. However, the Cat's-meat-Man was not wealthy. He only became ill once a year, at Christmas, and on that occasion, he would give the Doctor sixpence for medicine.

Pt/En Sixpence a year was not a lot of money to live on, even many years ago. If the Doctor had not saved some money in his money-box, it is unknown what would have happened to him.

Pt/En The Doctor continued to get more pets. Feeding all of them cost a lot of money. The money he had saved began to decrease.

Pt/En He then sold his piano and allowed mice to live in a drawer. The money he received for the piano also started to be spent. So, he sold the suit he wore on Sundays, and he became poorer and poorer.

Pt/En When Doctor Dolittle walked outside wearing his hat, people would talk about him. They remembered he was once a very well-known doctor in the area. Now, they observed, he had no money and his socks had holes in them.

Pt/En Even though Doctor Dolittle was no longer rich, the dogs, cats, and children continued to follow him through the town, just as they had when he had money.

ANIMAL LANGUAGE

Pt/En One day, the Doctor was in his kitchen talking to the Cat's-meat-Man. The Cat's-meat-Man had a stomach-ache and had come to visit him.

Pt/En The Cat's-meat-Man asked the Doctor why he did not stop being a doctor for people and instead become a doctor for animals.

Pt/En Polynesia, the parrot, was sitting by the window watching the rain. She was singing a sailor song to herself, but she stopped to listen.

Pt/En The Cat's-meat-Man told the Doctor that he knew a lot about animals, even more than the vets. He said the Doctor's book about cats was excellent and that he could make a lot of money by treating sick animals. He suggested sending people with sick cats and dogs to the Doctor.

Pt/En The Doctor quickly said no. He explained that doing that would not be right.

Pt/En The Cat's-meat-Man clarified he did not mean seriously ill, but just a little unwell. He admitted it might not be fair to the animals, but argued they would get sick anyway from being overfed. He suggested that farmers with sick animals would seek help, and that the Doctor should become an animal doctor.

Pt/En After the Cat's-meat-Man left, the parrot flew from the window onto the Doctor's table.

Pt/En The parrot told the Doctor that the Cat's-meat-Man had good ideas. It advised him to become an animal doctor instead of treating people, suggesting that animals would appreciate his skills more.

Pt/En John Dolittle replied that there were already many animal doctors. He then placed his flower-pots on the window-sill to catch the rain.

Pt/En Polynesia told the Doctor that although there were many things, none of them were good. She then asked him if he knew that animals could talk.

Pt/En The Doctor replied that he already knew parrots were able to talk.

Pt/En Polynesia explained proudly that parrots could speak in two languages: human language and bird language. She said that when she said "Polly wants a cracker," people understood her. Then she asked a question in bird language: "Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee?"

Pt/En The Doctor was surprised and asked what that bird language meant.

Pt/En Polynesia explained that the bird language meant, "Is the porridge hot yet?"

Pt/En The Doctor was very surprised. He said that the parrot had never spoken to him in that way before.

Pt/En Polynesia asked what the point would have been. She cleaned some crumbs from her wing and explained that the Doctor would not have understood her if she had spoken differently.

Pt/En The Doctor became very excited and asked Polynesia to tell him more. He got his butcher's book and a pencil to write things down. He asked her to speak slowly and to give him the Birds' A.B.C. first.

Pt/En This experience taught the Doctor that animals had their own language and could communicate with each other. Throughout the rainy afternoon, Polynesia stayed on the kitchen table, giving him bird words to record in his book.

Pt/En When the dog, Jip, entered the room at tea-time, the parrot pointed out to the Doctor that Jip was speaking to him.

Pt/En The Doctor thought the animal appeared to be scratching its ear.

Pt/En The parrot explained that animals communicate using their ears, feet, and tails, not just their mouths. She pointed out that the animal was twitching its nose, which was a way of speaking.

Pt/En The Doctor asked what the parrot meant by that.

Pt/En Polynesia replied that the animal was asking if the Doctor could see that it had stopped raining. She added that dogs often use their noses to ask questions.

Pt/En With the parrot's help, the Doctor eventually learned to understand animal languages very well. He could then talk to animals and understand everything they said. After this, he stopped being a doctor for people completely.

Pt/En When people heard from the Cat's-meat-Man that John Dolittle was becoming a doctor for animals, many people brought him their pets. Old ladies brought their dogs, like pugs and poodles, that had eaten too much cake. Farmers also traveled long distances to bring him their sick cows and sheep.

Pt/En One day, a horse was brought to Doctor Dolittle. The horse was very happy to find a person who could understand and speak the language of horses.

Pt/En The horse explained to Doctor Dolittle that another veterinarian nearby was not very good. The horse had been sick for six weeks with a problem, but he believed he needed glasses because his eyesight was getting bad. He thought horses should wear glasses like people do. He had tried to tell the other vet, but the vet could not understand horse language and kept giving him medicine instead of looking at his eyes.

Pt/En Doctor Dolittle agreed and told the horse that he would get him some glasses immediately.

Pt/En The horse asked for glasses similar to the Doctor's, but in green color. He explained that green glasses would help block the sun's brightness while he was working in the large field.

Pt/En The Doctor agreed and said he would give them green ones.

Pt/En As the Doctor let the plow-horse out, the horse explained that many people think they can treat animals easily because animals cannot complain. He said that being a good animal doctor is harder than being a doctor for people. The horse mentioned that his farmer's boy, who he described as not very smart, thought he knew a lot about horses and had tried to put a mustard plaster on him.

Pt/En The Doctor asked where the boy had put the plaster.

Pt/En The horse replied that the boy had not put it on him, but only tried to. The horse then kicked the boy into the duck pond.

Pt/En The Doctor reacted with surprise, saying "Well, well!"

Pt/En The horse explained that he was usually a quiet and patient animal. However, he was upset because the vet had given him the wrong medicine. He also found it unbearable when the other man, whom he called a "red-faced booby," started to interfere with him.

Pt/En The Doctor asked the horse if he had hurt the boy badly.

Pt/En The horse replied that he had not hurt the boy much. He mentioned that he had kicked the man in the correct place and that the vet was now taking care of him. The horse then asked when his glasses would be ready.

Pt/En The Doctor informed the horse that his glasses would be ready the following week. He invited the horse to return on Tuesday and wished him a good morning.

Pt/En The horse's eyesight was still as good as it had been before.

Pt/En John Dolittle obtained a large pair of green spectacles. After this, the plow-horse's eye problem was fixed, and it could see perfectly again.

Pt/En It soon became common to see farm animals in the Puddleby area wearing glasses. Blind horses were no longer seen.

Pt/En When other animals were brought to him, they told him about their pain and how they felt because they knew he could understand their language. This made it easy for him to cure them.

Pt/En The animals came to his house located at the edge of the town.

Pt/En These animals told their relatives and friends about the doctor who lived in the small house with the big garden and was a real doctor. Consequently, any sick creature, from horses and cows to small field animals like mice, voles, badgers, and bats, would immediately go to his house. His garden was often full of animals waiting to be seen.

Pt/En So many animals came to see Doctor Dolittle that he had to create special doors for them. He put signs on the doors, like "HORSES" on the front door and "COWS" on the side door. Even mice had a small tunnel leading to the cellar, and they waited there quietly for the doctor.

Pt/En After a few years, animals from very far away knew about John Dolittle. Birds flying to other countries told animals there about the doctor in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. They said he could understand their language and help them with their problems. Because of this, he became very famous among animals all over the world, even more than he was known by people. He was happy with his life.

Pt/En One afternoon, the doctor was busy writing in a book. His parrot, Polynesia, was sitting in the window, which she often did. She was watching the leaves blowing in the garden. Suddenly, she laughed out loud.

Pt/En The doctor looked up from his book and asked Polynesia what was amusing her.

Pt/En The parrot replied that she was just thinking. Then, she continued to watch the leaves in the garden.

Pt/En The Doctor asked Polynesia what she was thinking.

Pt/En Polynesia explained that she was thinking about people and felt they were not as special as they believed. She mentioned that people had learned very little about animal language, only understanding simple things like a dog wagging its tail. She found it strange that Doctor Dolittle was the first person to speak with animals. Polynesia also said that people often annoyed her with their proud behaviour and by calling animals "dumb." She told the Doctor about a clever macaw that knew many languages, including Greek, and had left its owner because the owner spoke Greek incorrectly. She wondered what had happened to this bird, believing it knew more about geography than most people. Polynesia imagined that if people ever learned to fly, they would boast about it constantly.

Pt/En The Doctor told Polynesia she was a very wise bird. He asked her real age, mentioning that parrots and elephants were known to live for a very long time.

Pt/En Polynesia said she was not completely sure of her age, estimating it to be either 182 or 183 years old. She remembered coming from Africa and seeing King Charles hiding in an oak tree, looking very frightened, which meant she was alive at that time.

MORE MONEY TROUBLES

Pt/En Soon, the Doctor began to earn money again. His sister, Sarah, bought a new dress and was pleased.

Pt/En Some animals were very sick and had to stay at the Doctor's house for a week. When they began to feel better, they would sit in chairs outside on the grass.

Pt/En The animals often sat in chairs on the lawn.

Pt/En Many animals liked the Doctor and his home so much that they wanted to stay even after they were well. The Doctor found it hard to refuse them when they asked to stay, so he kept getting more pets.

Pt/En One evening, Doctor Dolittle saw an organ-grinder with a monkey. The monkey looked unhappy and its collar was too tight. The Doctor took the monkey, gave the man some money, and told him to leave. The man became angry, but the Doctor threatened to punch him if he didn't go. The man left, and the monkey stayed with Doctor Dolittle, finding a good home. The other animals called the monkey "Chee-Chee", which means "ginger" in monkey language.

Pt/En Another time, a crocodile with a bad toothache escaped from the circus and went into the Doctor's garden. The Doctor spoke to the crocodile in its own language and fixed its tooth. The crocodile liked the house and wanted to live there, asking if it could sleep in the fish-pond without eating the fish. When the circus people came to get it, the crocodile became wild and scared them away. However, it was always as gentle as a kitten with everyone in the house.

Pt/En Because of the crocodile, people became scared to bring their pets to Doctor Dolittle. Farmers also doubted that the crocodile would not harm their young animals. Doctor Dolittle told the crocodile that it needed to go back to the circus. However, the crocodile cried a lot and begged to remain, so the Doctor could not bring himself to send it away.

Pt/En Then, the Doctor's sister came to speak with him.

Pt/En She told Doctor Dolittle that he must send the creature away. She explained that because of it, farmers and ladies were too afraid to bring their animals for treatment, which was hurting their business. She warned that if he did not remove the alligator, she would stop being his housekeeper.

Pt/En The Doctor corrected his sister, saying that the animal was a crocodile, not an alligator.

Pt/En His sister replied that she did not care about its name. She found it unpleasant to discover such a creature under the bed and stated that she would not allow it in the house.

Pt/En The Doctor explained to Sarah that the animal had promised not to bite anyone. He said the animal did not like the circus and he did not have enough money to send it back to Africa. The Doctor also mentioned that the animal was usually well-behaved and minded its own business, asking Sarah not to be so worried.

Pt/En Sarah insisted that she did not want the animal there because it ate the linoleum. She threatened to get married if the Doctor did not send the animal away immediately.

Pt/En The Doctor agreed that Sarah could go and get married, saying it could not be helped. He then took his hat and went outside into the garden.

Pt/En Sarah Dolittle packed her belongings and left. After she was gone, the Doctor was left alone with his family of animals.

Pt/En The Doctor told Sarah that she could go and get married.

Pt/En Doctor Dolittle became poorer than ever. He had many animals to feed and a house to manage. There was no one to mend clothes, and no money was coming in to pay for food. These problems made things difficult, but the Doctor did not worry.

Pt/En He often said that money was a problem and that people would be happier if it had never been invented. He believed that happiness was more important than money.

Pt/En One evening, the Doctor was sleeping in his chair.

Pt/En The animals began to worry. While the Doctor slept by the kitchen fire one evening, they spoke quietly together. The owl, Too-Too, who was good at math, calculated that they only had enough money left for one meal a day for each animal, and this would only last for one more week.

Pt/En The parrot suggested that they should all do the housework themselves. He felt this was the least they could do, as the Doctor was lonely and poor because of them.

Pt/En The animals agreed to divide the household jobs. Chee-Chee the monkey would cook and mend clothes. Jip the dog would sweep the floors. The duck would dust rooms and make beds. Too-Too the owl was responsible for managing the money. The pig would work in the garden. Polynesia the parrot became the housekeeper and laundress because she was the oldest.

Pt/En At first, the jobs were difficult for all the animals, except for Chee-Chee, who had hands and could do tasks like a person. However, they soon became used to their work. They found it amusing to watch Jip the dog sweep the floor with a rag tied to his tail like a broom. They became so skilled that Doctor Dolittle said his house had never been so tidy and clean.

Pt/En For a while, things went well. But the animals found it very difficult to manage without money.

Pt/En The animals set up a stall outside the garden gate. They sold vegetables and flowers, such as radishes and roses, to people who were walking along the road.

Pt/En Even so, they did not earn enough money to pay all their bills. Doctor Dolittle, however, did not seem worried. When Polynesia the parrot told him that the fish seller would not give them any more fish, the Doctor said that they should buy fish from the sea.

Pt/En The speaker told someone not to worry. They had enough food from the hens, the cow, and the garden, and winter was still far away. The speaker then thought about Sarah, who used to worry a lot.

Pt/En However, winter arrived earlier than expected that year. An old horse brought wood for a large fire, but most of the garden vegetables were gone, and the remaining ones were covered by snow. Many animals were very hungry.

A MESSAGE FROM AFRICA

Pt/En That winter was very cold. One December night, while everyone was sitting by the warm kitchen fire and the Doctor was reading aloud from his own books written in animal language, the owl, Too-Too, suddenly spoke.

Pt/En The owl asked if they could hear a noise outside.

Pt/En They listened and soon heard someone running. The door then opened quickly, and the monkey, Chee-Chee, rushed in, breathing very heavily.

Original English Text

1 - PUDDLEBY

2 - ANIMAL LANGUAGE

3 - MORE MONEY TROUBLES

4 - A MESSAGE FROM AFRICA

PUDDLEBY

PT ONCE upon a time, many years ago — when our grandfathers were little children — there was a doctor; and his name was Dolittle — John Dolittle, M.D. "M.D." means that he was a proper doctor and knew a whole lot.

PT He lived in a little town called, Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. All the folks, young and old, knew him well by sight. And whenever he walked down the street in his high hat everyone would say, "There goes the Doctor! — He's a clever man." And the dogs and the children would all run up and follow behind him; and even the crows that lived in the church-tower would caw and nod their heads.

PT The house he lived in, on the edge of the town, was quite small; but his garden was very large and had a wide lawn and stone seats and weeping-willows hanging over. His sister, Sarah Dolittle, was housekeeper for him; but the Doctor looked after the garden himself.

PT He was very fond of animals and kept many kinds of pets. Besides the gold-fish in the pond at the bottom of his garden, he had rabbits in the pantry, white mice in his piano, a squirrel in the linen closet and a hedgehog in the cellar. He had a cow with a calf too, and an old lame horse — twenty-five years of age — and chickens, and pigeons, and two lambs, and many other animals. But his favorite pets were Dab-Dab the duck, Jip the dog, Gub-Gub the baby pig, Polynesia the parrot, and the owl Too-Too.

PT His sister used to grumble about all these animals and said they made the house untidy. And one day when an old lady with rheumatism came to see the Doctor, she sat on the hedgehog who was sleeping on the sofa and never came to see him any more, but drove every Saturday all the way to Oxenthorpe, another town ten miles off, to see a different doctor.

PT "And she never came to see him any more"

PT Then his sister, Sarah Dolittle, came to him and said,

PT "John, how can you expect sick people to come and see you when you keep all these animals in the house? It's a fine doctor would have his parlor full of hedgehogs and mice! That's the fourth personage these animals have driven away. Squire Jenkins and the Parson say they wouldn't come near your house again — no matter how sick they are. We are getting poorer every day. If you go on like this, none of the best people will have you for a doctor."

PT "But I like the animals better than the 'best people'," said the Doctor.

PT "You are ridiculous," said his sister, and walked out of the room.

PT So, as time went on, the Doctor got more and more animals; and the people who came to see him got less and less. Till at last he had no one left — except the Cat's-meat-Man, who didn't mind any kind of animals. But the Cat's-meat-Man wasn't very rich and he only got sick once a year — at Christmas-time, when he used to give the Doctor sixpence for a bottle of medicine.

PT Sixpence a year wasn't enough to live on — even in those days, long ago; and if the Doctor hadn't had some money saved up in his money-box, no one knows what would have happened.

PT And he kept on getting still more pets; and of course it cost a lot to feed them. And the money he had saved up grew littler and littler.

PT Then he sold his piano, and let the mice live in a bureau-drawer. But the money he got for that too began to go, so he sold the brown suit he wore on Sundays and went on becoming poorer and poorer.

PT And now, when he walked down the street in his high hat, people would say to one another, "There goes John Dolittle, M.D.! There was a time when he was the best known doctor in the West Country — Look at him now — He hasn't any money and his stockings are full of holes!"

PT But the dogs and the cats and the children still ran up and followed him through the town — the same as they had done when he was rich.

ANIMAL LANGUAGE

PT IT happened one day that the Doctor was sitting in his kitchen talking with the Cat's-meat-Man who had come to see him with a stomach-ache.

PT "Why don't you give up being a people's doctor, and be an animal-doctor?" asked the Cat's-meat-Man.

PT The parrot, Polynesia, was sitting in the window looking out at the rain and singing a sailor-song to herself. She stopped singing and started to listen.

PT "You see, Doctor," the Cat's-meat-Man went on, "you know all about animals — much more than what these here vets do. That book you wrote — about cats, why, it's wonderful! I can't read or write myself — or maybe I'd write some books. But my wife, Theodosia, she's a scholar, she is. And she read your book to me. Well, it's wonderful — that's all can be said — wonderful. You might have been a cat yourself. You know the way they think. And listen: you can make a lot of money doctoring animals. Do you know that? You see, I'd send all the old women who had sick cats or dogs to you. And if they didn't get sick fast enough, I could put something in the meat I sell 'em to make 'em sick, see?"

PT "Oh, no," said the Doctor quickly. "You mustn't do that. That wouldn't be right."

PT "Oh, I didn't mean real sick," answered the Cat's-meat-Man. "Just a little something to make them droopy-like was what I had reference to. But as you say, maybe it ain't quite fair on the animals. But they'll get sick anyway, because the old women always give 'em too much to eat. And look, all the farmers round about who had lame horses and weak lambs — they'd come. Be an animal-doctor."

PT When the Cat's-meat-Man had gone the parrot flew off the window on to the Doctor's table and said,

PT "That man's got sense. That's what you ought to do. Be an animal-doctor. Give the silly people up — if they haven't brains enough to see you're the best doctor in the world. Take care of animals instead — they 'll soon find it out. Be an animal-doctor."

PT "Oh, there are plenty of animal-doctors," said John Dolittle, putting the flower-pots outside on the window-sill to get the rain.

PT "Yes, there are plenty," said Polynesia. "But none of them are any good at all. Now listen, Doctor, and I'll tell you something. Did you know that animals can talk?"

PT "I knew that parrots can talk," said the Doctor.

PT "Oh, we parrots can talk in two languages — people's language and bird-language," said Polynesia proudly. "If I say, 'Polly wants a cracker,' you understand me. But hear this: Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee? "

PT "Good Gracious!" cried the Doctor. "What does that mean?"

PT "That means, 'Is the porridge hot yet?' — in bird-language."

PT "My! You don't say so!" said the Doctor. "You never talked that way to me before."

PT "What would have been the good?" said Polynesia, dusting some cracker-crumbs off her left wing. "You wouldn't have understood me if I had."

PT "Tell me some more," said the Doctor, all excited; and he rushed over to the dresser-drawer and came back with the butcher's book and a pencil. "Now don't go too fast — and I'll write it down. This is interesting — very interesting — something quite new. Give me the Birds' A.B.C. first — slowly now."

PT So that was the way the Doctor came to know that animals had a language of their own and could talk to one another. And all that afternoon, while it was raining, Polynesia sat on the kitchen table giving him bird words to put down in the book.

PT At tea-time, when the dog, Jip, came in, the parrot said to the Doctor, "See, he 's talking to you."

PT "Looks to me as though he were scratching his ear," said the Doctor.

PT "But animals don't always speak with their mouths," said the parrot in a high voice, raising her eyebrows. "They talk with their ears, with their feet, with their tails — with everything. Sometimes they don't want to make a noise. Do you see now the way he's twitching up one side of his nose?"

PT "What's that mean?" asked the Doctor.

PT "That means, 'Can't you see that it has stopped raining?'" Polynesia answered. "He is asking you a question. Dogs nearly always use their noses for asking questions."

PT After a while, with the parrot's help, the Doctor got to learn the language of the animals so well that he could talk to them himself and understand everything they said. Then he gave up being a people's doctor altogether.

PT As soon as the Cat's-meat-Man had told every one that John Dolittle was going to become an animal-doctor, old ladies began to bring him their pet pugs and poodles who had eaten too much cake; and farmers came many miles to show him sick cows and sheep.

PT One day a plow-horse was brought to him; and the poor thing was terribly glad to find a man who could talk in horse-language.

PT "You know, Doctor," said the horse, "that vet over the hill knows nothing at all. He has been treating me six weeks now — for spavins. What I need is spectacles. I am going blind in one eye. There's no reason why horses shouldn't wear glasses, the same as people. But that stupid man over the hill never even looked at my eyes. He kept on giving me big pills. I tried to tell him; but he couldn't understand a word of horse-language. What I need is spectacles."

PT "Of course — of course," said the Doctor. "I'll get you some at once."

PT "I would like a pair like yours," said the horse— "only green. They'll keep the sun out of my eyes while I'm plowing the Fifty-Acre Field."

PT "Certainly," said the Doctor. "Green ones you shall have."

PT "You know, the trouble is, Sir," said the plow-horse as the Doctor opened the front door to let him out— "the trouble is that anybody thinks he can doctor animals — just because the animals don't complain. As a matter of fact it takes a much cleverer man to be a really good animal-doctor than it does to be a good people's doctor. My farmer's boy thinks he knows all about horses. I wish you could see him — his face is so fat he looks as though he had no eyes — and he has got as much brain as a potato-bug. He tried to put a mustard-plaster on me last week."

PT "Where did he put it?" asked the Doctor.

PT "Oh, he didn't put it anywhere — on me," said the horse. "He only tried to. I kicked him into the duck-pond."

PT "Well, well!" said the Doctor.

PT "I'm a pretty quiet creature as a rule," said the horse— "very patient with people — don't make much fuss. But it was bad enough to have that vet giving me the wrong medicine. And when that red-faced booby started to monkey with me, I just couldn't bear it any more."

PT "Did you hurt the boy much?" asked the Doctor.

PT "Oh, no," said the horse. "I kicked him in the right place. The vet's looking after him now. When will my glasses be ready?"

PT "I'll have them for you next week," said the Doctor. "Come in again Tuesday — Good morning!"

PT "He could see as well as ever"

PT Then John Dolittle got a fine, big pair of green spectacles; and the plow-horse stopped going blind in one eye and could see as well as ever.

PT And soon it became a common sight to see farm-animals wearing glasses in the country round Puddleby; and a blind horse was a thing unknown.

PT And so it was with all the other animals that were brought to him. As soon as they found that he could talk their language, they told him where the pain was and how they felt, and of course it was easy for him to cure them.

PT "They came at once to his house on the edge of the town"

PT Now all these animals went back and told their brothers and friends that there was a doctor in the little house with the big garden who really was a doctor. And whenever any creatures got sick — not only horses and cows and dogs — but all the little things of the fields, like harvest-mice and water-voles, badgers and bats, they came at once to his house on the edge of the town, so that his big garden was nearly always crowded with animals trying to get in to see him.

PT There were so many that came that he had to have special doors made for the different kinds. He wrote "HORSES" over the front door, "COWS" over the side door, and "SHEEP" on the kitchen door. Each kind of animal had a separate door — even the mice had a tiny tunnel made for them into the cellar, where they waited patiently in rows for the Doctor to come round to them.

PT And so, in a few years' time, every living thing for miles and miles got to know about John Dolittle, M.D. And the birds who flew to other countries in the winter told the animals in foreign lands of the wonderful doctor of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, who could understand their talk and help them in their troubles. In this way he became famous among the animals — all over the world — better known even than he had been among the folks of the West Country, And he was happy and liked his life very much.

PT One afternoon when the Doctor was busy writing in a book, Polynesia sat in the window — as she nearly always did — looking out at the leaves blowing about in the garden. Presently she laughed aloud.

PT "What is it, Polynesia?" asked the Doctor, looking up from his book.

PT "I was just thinking," said the parrot; and she went on looking at the leaves.

PT "What were you thinking?"

PT "I was thinking about people," said Polynesia. "People make me sick. They think they're so wonderful. The world has been going on now for thousands of years, hasn't it? And the only thing in animal-language that people have learned to understand is that when a dog wags his tail he means 'I'm glad!' — It's funny, isn't it? You are the very first man to talk like us. Oh, sometimes people annoy me dreadfully — such airs they put on — talking about 'the dumb animals.' Dumb! — Huh! Why I knew a macaw once who could say 'Good morning!' in seven different ways without once opening his mouth. He could talk every language — and Greek. An old professor with a gray beard bought him. But he didn't stay. He said the old man didn't talk Greek right, and he couldn't stand listening to him teach the language wrong. I often wonder what's become of him. That bird knew more geography than people will ever know. — People, Golly! I suppose if people ever learn to fly — like any common hedge-sparrow — we shall never hear the end of it!"

PT "You're a wise old bird," said the Doctor. "How old are you really? I know that parrots and elephants sometimes live to be very, very old."

PT "I can never be quite sure of my age," said Polynesia. "It's either a hundred and eighty-three or a hundred and eighty-two. But I know that when I first came here from Africa, King Charles was still hiding in the oak-tree — because I saw him. He looked scared to death."

MORE MONEY TROUBLES

PT AND soon now the Doctor began to make money again; and his sister, Sarah, bought a new dress and was happy.

PT Some of the animals who came to see him were so sick that they had to stay at the Doctor's house for a week. And when they were getting better they used to sit in chairs on the lawn.

PT "They used to sit in chairs on the lawn"

PT And often even after they got well, they did not want to go away — they liked the Doctor and his house so much. And he never had the heart to refuse them when they asked if they could stay with him. So in this way he went on getting more and more pets.

PT Once when he was sitting on his garden wall, smoking a pipe in the evening, an Italian organ-grinder came round with a monkey on a string. The Doctor saw at once that the monkey's collar was too tight and that he was dirty and unhappy. So he took the monkey away from the Italian, gave the man a shilling and told him to go. The organ-grinder got awfully angry and said that he wanted to keep the monkey. But the Doctor told him that if he didn't go away he would punch him on the nose. John Dolittle was a strong man, though he wasn't very tall. So the Italian went away saying rude things and the monkey stayed with Doctor Dolittle and had a good home. The other animals in the house called him "Chee-Chee" — which is a common word in monkey-language, meaning "ginger."

PT And another time, when the circus came to Puddleby, the crocodile who had a bad toothache escaped at night and came into the Doctor's garden. The Doctor talked to him in crocodile-language and took him into the house and made his tooth better. But when the crocodile saw what a nice house it was — with all the different places for the different kinds of animals — he too wanted to live with the Doctor. He asked couldn't he sleep in the fish-pond at the bottom of the garden, if he promised not to eat the fish. When the circus-men came to take him back he got so wild and savage that he frightened them away. But to every one in the house he was always as gentle as a kitten.

PT But now the old ladies grew afraid to send their lap-dogs to Doctor Dolittle because of the crocodile; and the farmers wouldn't believe that he would not eat the lambs and sick calves they brought to be cured. So the Doctor went to the crocodile and told him he must go back to his circus. But he wept such big tears, and begged so hard to be allowed to stay, that the Doctor hadn't the heart to turn him out.

PT So then the Doctor's sister came to him and said,

PT "John, you must send that creature away. Now the farmers and the old ladies are afraid to send their animals to you — just as we were beginning to be well off again. Now we shall be ruined entirely. This is the last straw. I will no longer be housekeeper for you if you don't send away that alligator."

PT "It isn't an alligator," said the Doctor— "it's a crocodile."

PT "I don't care what you call it," said his sister. "It's a nasty thing to find under the bed. I won't have it in the house."

PT "But he has promised me," the Doctor answered, "that he will not bite any one. He doesn't like the circus; and I haven't the money to send him back to Africa where he comes from. He minds his own business and on the whole is very well behaved. Don't be so fussy."

PT "I tell you I will not have him around," said Sarah. "He eats the linoleum. If you don't send him away this minute I'll — I'll go and get married!"

PT "All right," said the Doctor, "go and get married. It can't be helped." And he took down his hat and went out into the garden.

PT So Sarah Dolittle packed up her things and went off; and the Doctor was left all alone with his animal family.

PT "'All right,' said the Doctor, 'go and get married'"

PT And very soon he was poorer than he had ever been before. With all these mouths to fill, and the house to look after, and no one to do the mending, and no money coming in to pay the butcher's bill, things began to look very difficult. But the Doctor didn't worry at all.

PT "Money is a nuisance," he used to say. "We'd all be much better off if it had never been invented. What does money matter, so long as we are happy?"

PT "One evening when the Doctor was asleep in his chair"

PT But soon the animals themselves began to get worried. And one evening when the Doctor was asleep in his chair before the kitchen-fire they began talking it over among themselves in whispers. And the owl, Too-Too, who was good at arithmetic, figured it out that there was only money enough left to last another week — if they each had one meal a day and no more.

PT Then the parrot said, "I think we all ought to do the housework ourselves. At least we can do that much. After all, it is for our sakes that the old man finds himself so lonely and so poor."

PT So it was agreed that the monkey, Chee-Chee, was to do the cooking and mending; the dog was to sweep the floors; the duck was to dust and make the beds; the owl, Too-Too, was to keep the accounts, and the pig was to do the gardening. They made Polynesia, the parrot, housekeeper and laundress, because she was the oldest.

PT Of course at first they all found their new jobs very hard to do — all except Chee-Chee, who had hands, and could do things like a man. But they soon got used to it; and they used to think it great fun to watch Jip, the dog, sweeping his tail over the floor with a rag tied onto it for a broom. After a little they got to do the work so well that the Doctor said that he had never had his house kept so tidy or so clean before.

PT In this way things went along all right for a while; but without money they found it very hard.

PT Then the animals made a vegetable and flower stall outside the garden-gate and sold radishes and roses to the people that passed by along the road.

PT But still they didn't seem to make enough money to pay all the bills — and still the Doctor wouldn't worry. When the parrot came to him and told him that the fishmonger wouldn't give them any more fish, he said,

PT "Never mind. So long as the hens lay eggs and the cow gives milk we can have omelettes and junket. And there are plenty of vegetables left in the garden. The Winter is still a long way off. Don't fuss. That was the trouble with Sarah — she would fuss. I wonder how Sarah's getting on — an excellent woman — in some ways — Well, well!"

PT But the snow came earlier than usual that year; and although the old lame horse hauled in plenty of wood from the forest outside the town, so they could have a big fire in the kitchen, most of the vegetables in the garden were gone, and the rest were covered with snow; and many of the animals were really hungry.

A MESSAGE FROM AFRICA

PT THAT Winter was a very cold one. And one night in December, when they were all sitting round the warm fire in the kitchen, and the Doctor was reading aloud to them out of books he had written himself in animal-language, the owl, Too-Too, suddenly said,

PT "Sh! What's that noise outside?"

PT They all listened; and presently they heard the sound of some one running. Then the door flew open and the monkey, Chee-Chee, ran in, badly out of breath.

Versão em Português

1 - PUDDLEBY

2 - A LINGUAGEM DOS ANIMAIS

3 - MAIS PROBLEMAS DE DINHEIRO

4 - UMA MENSAGEM DA ÁFRICA

PUDDLEBY

En Há muito tempo, quando os avós das pessoas eram crianças, havia um médico chamado John Dolittle. As letras "M.D." após seu nome mostravam que ele era um médico qualificado com um grande conhecimento.

En Ele morava em uma pequena cidade chamada Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. Todos na cidade o conheciam. Quando ele andava com seu chapéu alto, as pessoas diziam que ele era um médico inteligente. Cães e crianças muitas vezes o seguiam, e até os corvos da torre da igreja faziam sons e balançavam a cabeça.

En Sua casa, localizada na beira da cidade, era pequena. No entanto, seu jardim era muito grande, com um amplo gramado, bancos de pedra e salgueiros-chorões. Sua irmã, Sarah Dolittle, cuidava da casa, mas o próprio médico cuidava do jardim.

En O Doutor Dolittle gostava muito de animais e mantinha muitos tipos diferentes como animais de estimação. Ele tinha peixinhos dourados, coelhos, camundongos brancos, um esquilo e um ouriço, além de outros animais como uma vaca, um cavalo, galinhas, pombos e cordeiros. Seus animais de estimação mais especiais eram Dab-Dab, a pata; Jip, o cão; Gub-Gub, o leitão; Polinésia, o papagaio; e Too-Too, a coruja.

En Sua irmã frequentemente reclamava dos animais, dizendo que eles deixavam a casa bagunçada. Um dia, uma senhora idosa com reumatismo sentou-se em um ouriço que estava dormindo no sofá. Por causa dessa experiência desagradável, ela parou de visitar o médico e, em vez disso, viajava dez milhas até outra cidade todo sábado para consultar um médico diferente.

En A mulher não o visitou novamente.

En Então sua irmã, Sarah Dolittle, veio até ele e falou.

En Sarah disse a John que ele não poderia esperar que pessoas doentes o visitassem porque ele mantinha animais em sua casa. Ela explicou que os animais haviam feito quatro pessoas irem embora. Ela mencionou que o Sr. Jenkins e o Pároco não voltariam à sua casa, mesmo que estivessem muito doentes. Sarah também disse que eles estavam ficando mais pobres e que, se ele continuasse assim, pessoas importantes não o escolheriam como médico.

En O Doutor respondeu que gostava mais dos animais do que das pessoas importantes.

En Sua irmã disse que ele estava sendo bobo e então saiu da sala.

En Com o passar do tempo, o Doutor Dolittle colecionava cada vez mais animais. Isso significava que menos pessoas o visitavam. Eventualmente, apenas o Homem-da-Carne-de-Gato ainda vinha, pois ele não se importava com animais. No entanto, o Homem-da-Carne-de-Gato não era rico. Ele só ficava doente uma vez por ano, no Natal, e nessa ocasião, ele dava ao Doutor seis pence pelo remédio.

En Seis pence por ano não era muito dinheiro para viver, mesmo muitos anos atrás. Se o Doutor não tivesse guardado algum dinheiro em sua caixinha, é desconhecido o que teria acontecido com ele.

En O Doutor continuava a conseguir mais animais de estimação. Alimentar todos eles custava muito dinheiro. O dinheiro que ele havia guardado começou a diminuir.

En Ele então vendeu seu piano e permitiu que ratos morassem em uma gaveta. O dinheiro que ele recebeu pelo piano também começou a ser gasto. Então, ele vendeu o terno que usava aos domingos, e ficou cada vez mais pobre.

En Quando o Doutor Dolittle saía usando seu chapéu, as pessoas falavam sobre ele. Lembravam que ele já foi um médico muito conhecido na região. Agora, elas observavam, ele não tinha dinheiro e suas meias tinham buracos.

En Embora o Doutor Dolittle não fosse mais rico, os cachorros, gatos e crianças continuaram a segui-lo pela cidade, assim como faziam quando ele tinha dinheiro.

A LINGUAGEM DOS ANIMAIS

En Um dia, o Doutor estava em sua cozinha conversando com o Vendedor de Carne para Gatos. O Vendedor de Carne para Gatos estava com dor de estômago e tinha ido visitá-lo.

En O Vendedor de Carne para Gatos perguntou ao Doutor por que ele não parava de ser médico de pessoas e se tornava médico de animais.

En Polinésia, o papagaio, estava sentada perto da janela observando a chuva. Ela estava cantando uma canção de marinheiro para si mesma, mas parou para ouvir.

En O Vendedor de Carne para Gatos disse ao Doutor que ele sabia muito sobre animais, até mais que os veterinários. Ele disse que o livro do Doutor sobre gatos era excelente e que ele poderia ganhar muito dinheiro tratando animais doentes. Ele sugeriu enviar pessoas com gatos e cachorros doentes ao Doutor.

En O médico rapidamente disse não. Ele explicou que fazer aquilo não seria correto.

En O homem da carne de gato esclareceu que não queria dizer gravemente doente, mas apenas um pouco indisposto. Ele admitiu que talvez não fosse justo com os animais, mas argumentou que eles ficariam doentes de qualquer jeito por serem superalimentados. Ele sugeriu que os fazendeiros com animais doentes procurariam ajuda e que o médico deveria se tornar um veterinário.

En Depois que o homem da carne de gato saiu, o papagaio voou da janela para a mesa do médico.

En O papagaio disse ao médico que o homem da carne de gato tinha boas ideias. Ele o aconselhou a se tornar um veterinário em vez de tratar pessoas, sugerindo que os animais apreciariam mais suas habilidades.

En John Dolittle respondeu que já havia muitos veterinários. Em seguida, colocou seus vasos de flores no parapeito da janela para pegar a chuva.

En Polynesia disse ao Doutor que, embora houvesse muitas coisas, nenhuma delas era boa. Ela então perguntou a ele se ele sabia que os animais podiam falar.

En O Doutor respondeu que ele já sabia que os papagaios eram capazes de falar.

En Polynesia explicou orgulhosamente que os papagaios podiam falar em duas línguas: a língua humana e a língua dos pássaros. Ela disse que quando ela dizia "Polly quer um biscoito", as pessoas a entendiam. Então ela fez uma pergunta em língua de pássaro: "Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee?"

En O Doutor ficou surpreso e perguntou o que aquela língua de pássaro significava.

En Polynesia explicou que aquela língua de pássaro significava: "O mingau já está quente?"

En O médico ficou muito surpreso. Ele disse que o papagaio nunca havia falado com ele daquela forma antes.

En Polinésia perguntou qual teria sido o propósito. Ela limpou algumas migalhas de sua asa e explicou que o médico não a teria entendido se ela tivesse falado de forma diferente.

En O médico ficou muito animado e pediu que Polinésia lhe contasse mais. Ele pegou seu livro de açougueiro e um lápis para anotar as coisas. Pediu que ela falasse devagar e que lhe desse primeiro o ABC dos Pássaros.

En Essa experiência ensinou ao médico que os animais tinham sua própria linguagem e podiam se comunicar uns com os outros. Durante toda a tarde chuvosa, Polinésia ficou na mesa da cozinha, dando-lhe palavras de pássaros para ele registrar em seu livro.

En Quando o cachorro, Jip, entrou na sala na hora do chá, o papagaio apontou para o médico que Jip estava falando com ele.

En O Doutor achou que o animal parecia estar coçando a orelha.

En O papagaio explicou que os animais se comunicam usando as orelhas, as patas e os rabos, não apenas a boca. Ela notou que o animal estava contraindo o nariz, o que era uma forma de falar.

En O Doutor perguntou o que o papagaio queria dizer com aquilo.

En Polinésia respondeu que o animal estava perguntando se o Doutor conseguia ver que a chuva tinha parado. Ela acrescentou que os cães costumam usar o nariz para fazer perguntas.

En Com a ajuda do papagaio, o Doutor eventualmente aprendeu a entender as línguas dos animais muito bem. Ele então podia conversar com os animais e entender tudo o que eles diziam. Depois disso, ele parou completamente de ser médico de pessoas.

En Quando as pessoas ouviram do Homem-da-Carne-de-Gato que John Dolittle estava se tornando um médico para animais, muitas pessoas trouxeram seus animais de estimação para ele. Velhinhas trouxeram seus cachorros, como pugs e poodles, que tinham comido muito bolo. Fazendeiros também viajaram longas distâncias para trazer suas vacas e ovelhas doentes.

En Um dia, um cavalo foi trazido ao Doutor Dolittle. O cavalo ficou muito feliz em encontrar uma pessoa que pudesse entender e falar a língua dos cavalos.

En O cavalo explicou ao Doutor Dolittle que outro veterinário nas proximidades não era muito bom. O cavalo estava doente há seis semanas com um problema, mas acreditava que precisava de óculos porque sua visão estava piorando. Ele achava que cavalos deveriam usar óculos como as pessoas. Ele tentou contar ao outro veterinário, mas o veterinário não conseguia entender a língua dos cavalos e continuava dando remédio em vez de examinar seus olhos.

En O Doutor Dolittle concordou e disse ao cavalo que conseguiria uns óculos para ele imediatamente.

En O cavalo pediu óculos semelhantes aos do Doutor, mas na cor verde. Ele explicou que os óculos verdes ajudariam a bloquear o brilho do sol enquanto ele trabalhava no campo grande.

En O Doutor concordou e disse que daria as verdes a eles.

En Enquanto o Doutor deixava o cavalo de arado sair, o cavalo explicou que muitas pessoas pensam que podem tratar animais facilmente porque os animais não reclamam. Ele disse que ser um bom médico de animais é mais difícil do que ser médico de pessoas. O cavalo mencionou que seu rapaz da fazenda, que ele descreveu como não muito inteligente, achava que sabia muito sobre cavalos e tinha tentado colocar um emplastro de mostarda nele.

En O Doutor perguntou onde o menino tinha colocado o emplastro.

En O cavalo respondeu que o menino não tinha colocado o emplastro nele, mas apenas tentou. O cavalo então chutou o menino no lago dos patos.

En O Doutor reagiu com surpresa, dizendo "Ora, ora!"

En O cavalo explicou que ele normalmente era um animal quieto e paciente. No entanto, ele ficou chateado porque o veterinário lhe deu o remédio errado. Ele também achou insuportável quando o outro homem, a quem ele chamou de "idiota de cara vermelha", começou a interferir com ele.

En O Doutor perguntou ao cavalo se ele tinha machucado o menino gravemente.

En O cavalo respondeu que não tinha machucado muito o menino. Ele mencionou que tinha chutado o homem no lugar correto e que o veterinário agora estava cuidando dele. O cavalo então perguntou quando seus óculos ficariam prontos.

En O Doutor informou ao cavalo que seus óculos estariam prontos na semana seguinte. Ele convidou o cavalo a voltar na terça-feira e desejou-lhe um bom dia.

En A visão do cavalo ainda era tão boa quanto antes.

En John Dolittle obteve um grande par de óculos verdes. Depois disso, o problema do olho do cavalo de arado foi resolvido, e ele pôde ver perfeitamente novamente.

En Logo se tornou comum ver animais de fazenda na área de Puddleby usando óculos. Cavalos cegos não eram mais vistos.

En Quando outros animais eram trazidos até ele, eles contavam sobre sua dor e como se sentiam, porque sabiam que ele entendia a língua deles. Isso facilitava a cura.

En Os animais iam até sua casa, localizada na periferia da cidade.

En Esses animais contaram a seus parentes e amigos sobre o médico que morava na casinha com o grande jardim e era um médico de verdade. Consequentemente, qualquer criatura doente, desde cavalos e vacas até pequenos animais do campo como ratos, ratazanas, texugos e morcegos, ia imediatamente para sua casa. Seu jardim ficava frequentemente cheio de animais esperando para serem atendidos.

En Tantos animais vieram ver o Doutor Dolittle que ele teve que criar portas especiais para eles. Ele colocou placas nas portas, como "CAVALOS" na porta da frente e "VACAS" na porta lateral. Até os ratos tinham um pequeno túnel que levava ao porão, e eles esperavam lá quietos pelo doutor.

En Depois de alguns anos, animais de muito longe sabiam sobre John Dolittle. Pássaros voando para outros países contaram aos animais de lá sobre o médico em Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. Eles disseram que ele conseguia entender a linguagem deles e ajudá-los com seus problemas. Por causa disso, ele se tornou muito famoso entre os animais em todo o mundo, ainda mais do que era conhecido pelas pessoas. Ele estava feliz com sua vida.

En Uma tarde, o médico estava ocupado escrevendo em um livro. Seu papagaio, Polinésia, estava sentado na janela, como costumava fazer. Ela estava observando as folhas voando no jardim. De repente, ela riu alto.

En O médico levantou os olhos do livro e perguntou a Polinésia o que a estava divertindo.

En O papagaio respondeu que estava apenas pensando. Então, continuou a observar as folhas no jardim.

En O médico perguntou a Polinésia no que ela estava pensando.

En Polinésia explicou que estava pensando nas pessoas e sentia que elas não eram tão especiais quanto acreditavam. Ela mencionou que as pessoas aprenderam muito pouco sobre a linguagem dos animais, entendendo apenas coisas simples como um cachorro balançando o rabo. Ela achou estranho que o Doutor Dolittle fosse a primeira pessoa a falar com animais. Polinésia também disse que as pessoas frequentemente a irritavam com seu comportamento orgulhoso e por chamarem os animais de "mudos". Ela contou ao Doutor sobre uma arara esperta que conhecia muitas línguas, incluindo grego, e que havia deixado seu dono porque o dono falava grego incorretamente. Ela se perguntava o que havia acontecido com essa ave, acreditando que ela sabia mais sobre geografia do que a maioria das pessoas. Polinésia imaginou que, se as pessoas algum dia aprendessem a voar, se vangloriariam constantemente sobre isso.

En O médico disse a Polinésia que ela era uma ave muito sábia. Perguntou sua idade real, mencionando que papagaios e elefantes eram conhecidos por viverem por muito tempo.

En Polinésia disse que não tinha certeza absoluta de sua idade, estimando-a em 182 ou 183 anos. Ela se lembrava de ter vindo da África e visto o Rei Carlos escondido em um carvalho, parecendo muito assustado, o que significava que ela estava viva naquela época.

MAIS PROBLEMAS DE DINHEIRO

En Logo, o médico começou a ganhar dinheiro novamente. Sua irmã, Sarah, comprou um vestido novo e ficou satisfeita.

En Alguns animais estavam muito doentes e tiveram que ficar na casa do Doutor por uma semana. Quando começaram a se sentir melhor, eles se sentavam em cadeiras do lado de fora, na grama.

En Os animais frequentemente se sentavam em cadeiras no gramado.

En Muitos animais gostavam tanto do Doutor e de sua casa que queriam ficar mesmo depois de estarem bem. O Doutor achava difícil recusá-los quando pediam para ficar, então ele continuava ganhando mais animais de estimação.

En Uma noite, o Doutor Dolittle viu um tocador de realejo com um macaco. O macaco parecia infeliz e sua coleira estava muito apertada. O Doutor pegou o macaco, deu algum dinheiro ao homem e disse para ele ir embora. O homem ficou bravo, mas o Doutor ameaçou socá-lo se ele não fosse. O homem foi embora, e o macaco ficou com o Doutor Dolittle, encontrando um bom lar. Os outros animais chamavam o macaco de 'Chee-Chee', que significa 'gengibre' na língua dos macacos.

En Outra vez, um crocodilo com uma forte dor de dente escapou do circo e foi para o jardim do Doutor. O Doutor falou com o crocodilo em sua própria língua e consertou seu dente. O crocodilo gostou da casa e quis morar lá, perguntando se poderia dormir no lago dos peixes sem comer os peixes. Quando os homens do circo vieram buscá-lo, o crocodilo ficou selvagem e os assustou. No entanto, ele sempre foi tão gentil quanto um gatinho com todos na casa.

En Por causa do crocodilo, as pessoas ficaram com medo de levar seus animais de estimação ao Doutor Dolittle. Os fazendeiros também duvidaram que o crocodilo não machucaria seus animais jovens. O Doutor Dolittle disse ao crocodilo que ele precisava voltar para o circo. No entanto, o crocodilo chorou muito e implorou para ficar, então o Doutor não teve coragem de mandá-lo embora.

En Então, a irmã do Doutor veio falar com ele.

En Ela disse ao Doutor Dolittle que ele deveria mandar a criatura embora. Ela explicou que, por causa dela, fazendeiros e senhoras estavam com muito medo de trazer seus animais para tratamento, o que estava prejudicando o negócio deles. Ela avisou que, se ele não removesse o jacaré, ela pararia de ser sua governanta.

En O Doutor corrigiu sua irmã, dizendo que o animal era um crocodilo, não um jacaré.

En Sua irmã respondeu que não se importava com o nome dele. Ela achou desagradável descobrir uma criatura dessas debaixo da cama e afirmou que não permitiria que ela ficasse na casa.

En O Doutor explicou a Sarah que o animal havia prometido não morder ninguém. Ele disse que o animal não gostava do circo e que não tinha dinheiro suficiente para mandá-lo de volta para a África. O Doutor também mencionou que o animal geralmente se comportava bem e cuidava da própria vida, pedindo a Sarah que não ficasse tão preocupada.

En Sarah insistiu que não queria o animal ali porque ele comia o linóleo. Ela ameaçou se casar se o Doutor não mandasse o animal embora imediatamente.

En O Doutor concordou que Sarah poderia ir e se casar, dizendo que não havia outro jeito. Ele então pegou o chapéu e saiu para o jardim.

En Sarah Dolittle fez as malas e foi embora. Depois que ela partiu, o Doutor ficou sozinho com sua família de animais.

En O Doutor disse a Sarah que ela poderia ir e se casar.

En O Doutor Dolittle ficou mais pobre do que nunca. Ele tinha muitos animais para alimentar e uma casa para cuidar. Não havia ninguém para remendar roupas, e não entrava dinheiro para pagar a comida. Esses problemas tornaram as coisas difíceis, mas o Doutor não se preocupava.

En Ele costumava dizer que o dinheiro era um problema e que as pessoas seriam mais felizes se ele nunca tivesse sido inventado. Ele acreditava que a felicidade era mais importante que o dinheiro.

En Uma noite, o Doutor estava dormindo em sua cadeira.

En Os animais começaram a se preocupar. Enquanto o Doutor dormia perto do fogo da cozinha numa noite, eles conversavam baixinho. A coruja, Too-Too, que era boa em matemática, calculou que só tinham dinheiro suficiente para uma refeição por dia para cada animal, e isso duraria apenas mais uma semana.

En O papagaio sugeriu que todos deveriam fazer o trabalho doméstico eles mesmos. Ele achava que isso era o mínimo que podiam fazer, já que o Doutor estava solitário e pobre por causa deles.

En Os animais concordaram em dividir as tarefas domésticas. Chee-Chee, o macaco, cozinharia e remendaria roupas. Jip, o cachorro, varreria o chão. A pata tiraria o pó dos quartos e faria as camas. Too-Too, a coruja, era responsável por administrar o dinheiro. O porco trabalharia no jardim. Polinésia, o papagaio, tornou-se a governanta e lavadeira porque era a mais velha.

En No começo, as tarefas eram difíceis para todos os animais, exceto para Chee-Chee, que tinha mãos e podia fazer tarefas como uma pessoa. No entanto, eles logo se acostumaram ao trabalho. Achavam divertido ver Jip, o cachorro, varrer o chão com um pano amarrado ao rabo como uma vassoura. Eles se tornaram tão habilidosos que o Doutor Dolittle disse que sua casa nunca tinha estado tão arrumada e limpa.

En Por um tempo, as coisas correram bem. Mas os animais acharam muito difícil se virar sem dinheiro.

En Os animais montaram uma barraca do lado de fora do portão do jardim. Vendiam legumes e flores, como rabanetes e rosas, para as pessoas que passavam pela estrada.

En Mesmo assim, eles não ganhavam dinheiro suficiente para pagar todas as contas. O Doutor Dolittle, no entanto, não parecia preocupado. Quando Polinésia, o papagaio, lhe disse que o peixeiro não lhes daria mais peixe, o Doutor disse que eles deveriam comprar peixe do mar.

En O orador disse a alguém para não se preocupar. Eles tinham comida suficiente das galinhas, da vaca e da horta, e o inverno ainda estava longe. O orador então pensou em Sarah, que costumava se preocupar muito.

En No entanto, o inverno chegou mais cedo do que o esperado naquele ano. Um cavalo velho trouxe lenha para uma grande fogueira, mas a maioria dos vegetais da horta havia desaparecido, e os restantes estavam cobertos de neve. Muitos animais estavam com muita fome.

UMA MENSAGEM DA ÁFRICA

En Aquele inverno foi muito frio. Em uma noite de dezembro, enquanto todos estavam sentados perto do fogo quente da cozinha e o Doutor estava lendo em voz alta seus próprios livros escritos em linguagem animal, a coruja, Too-Too, de repente falou.

En A coruja perguntou se eles podiam ouvir um barulho lá fora.

En Eles ouviram e logo perceberam alguém correndo. A porta então se abriu rapidamente, e o macaco, Chee-Chee, entrou apressado, respirando muito pesadamente.

PUDDLEBY

Português

Há muito tempo, quando os avós das pessoas eram crianças, havia um médico chamado John Dolittle. As letras "M.D." após seu nome mostravam que ele era um médico qualificado com um grande conhecimento.

Original English

ONCE upon a time, many years ago — when our grandfathers were little children — there was a doctor; and his name was Dolittle — John Dolittle, M.D. "M.D." means that he was a proper doctor and knew a whole lot.

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Português

Ele morava em uma pequena cidade chamada Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. Todos na cidade o conheciam. Quando ele andava com seu chapéu alto, as pessoas diziam que ele era um médico inteligente. Cães e crianças muitas vezes o seguiam, e até os corvos da torre da igreja faziam sons e balançavam a cabeça.

Original English

He lived in a little town called, Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. All the folks, young and old, knew him well by sight. And whenever he walked down the street in his high hat everyone would say, "There goes the Doctor! — He's a clever man." And the dogs and the children would all run up and follow behind him; and even the crows that lived in the church-tower would caw and nod their heads.

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Português

Sua casa, localizada na beira da cidade, era pequena. No entanto, seu jardim era muito grande, com um amplo gramado, bancos de pedra e salgueiros-chorões. Sua irmã, Sarah Dolittle, cuidava da casa, mas o próprio médico cuidava do jardim.

Original English

The house he lived in, on the edge of the town, was quite small; but his garden was very large and had a wide lawn and stone seats and weeping-willows hanging over. His sister, Sarah Dolittle, was housekeeper for him; but the Doctor looked after the garden himself.

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Português

O Doutor Dolittle gostava muito de animais e mantinha muitos tipos diferentes como animais de estimação. Ele tinha peixinhos dourados, coelhos, camundongos brancos, um esquilo e um ouriço, além de outros animais como uma vaca, um cavalo, galinhas, pombos e cordeiros. Seus animais de estimação mais especiais eram Dab-Dab, a pata; Jip, o cão; Gub-Gub, o leitão; Polinésia, o papagaio; e Too-Too, a coruja.

Original English

He was very fond of animals and kept many kinds of pets. Besides the gold-fish in the pond at the bottom of his garden, he had rabbits in the pantry, white mice in his piano, a squirrel in the linen closet and a hedgehog in the cellar. He had a cow with a calf too, and an old lame horse — twenty-five years of age — and chickens, and pigeons, and two lambs, and many other animals. But his favorite pets were Dab-Dab the duck, Jip the dog, Gub-Gub the baby pig, Polynesia the parrot, and the owl Too-Too.

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Português

Sua irmã frequentemente reclamava dos animais, dizendo que eles deixavam a casa bagunçada. Um dia, uma senhora idosa com reumatismo sentou-se em um ouriço que estava dormindo no sofá. Por causa dessa experiência desagradável, ela parou de visitar o médico e, em vez disso, viajava dez milhas até outra cidade todo sábado para consultar um médico diferente.

Original English

His sister used to grumble about all these animals and said they made the house untidy. And one day when an old lady with rheumatism came to see the Doctor, she sat on the hedgehog who was sleeping on the sofa and never came to see him any more, but drove every Saturday all the way to Oxenthorpe, another town ten miles off, to see a different doctor.

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Português

A mulher não o visitou novamente.

Original English

"And she never came to see him any more"

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Português

Então sua irmã, Sarah Dolittle, veio até ele e falou.

Original English

Then his sister, Sarah Dolittle, came to him and said,

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Português

Sarah disse a John que ele não poderia esperar que pessoas doentes o visitassem porque ele mantinha animais em sua casa. Ela explicou que os animais haviam feito quatro pessoas irem embora. Ela mencionou que o Sr. Jenkins e o Pároco não voltariam à sua casa, mesmo que estivessem muito doentes. Sarah também disse que eles estavam ficando mais pobres e que, se ele continuasse assim, pessoas importantes não o escolheriam como médico.

Original English

"John, how can you expect sick people to come and see you when you keep all these animals in the house? It's a fine doctor would have his parlor full of hedgehogs and mice! That's the fourth personage these animals have driven away. Squire Jenkins and the Parson say they wouldn't come near your house again — no matter how sick they are. We are getting poorer every day. If you go on like this, none of the best people will have you for a doctor."

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Português

O Doutor respondeu que gostava mais dos animais do que das pessoas importantes.

Original English

"But I like the animals better than the 'best people'," said the Doctor.

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Português

Sua irmã disse que ele estava sendo bobo e então saiu da sala.

Original English

"You are ridiculous," said his sister, and walked out of the room.

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Português

Com o passar do tempo, o Doutor Dolittle colecionava cada vez mais animais. Isso significava que menos pessoas o visitavam. Eventualmente, apenas o Homem-da-Carne-de-Gato ainda vinha, pois ele não se importava com animais. No entanto, o Homem-da-Carne-de-Gato não era rico. Ele só ficava doente uma vez por ano, no Natal, e nessa ocasião, ele dava ao Doutor seis pence pelo remédio.

Original English

So, as time went on, the Doctor got more and more animals; and the people who came to see him got less and less. Till at last he had no one left — except the Cat's-meat-Man, who didn't mind any kind of animals. But the Cat's-meat-Man wasn't very rich and he only got sick once a year — at Christmas-time, when he used to give the Doctor sixpence for a bottle of medicine.

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Português

Seis pence por ano não era muito dinheiro para viver, mesmo muitos anos atrás. Se o Doutor não tivesse guardado algum dinheiro em sua caixinha, é desconhecido o que teria acontecido com ele.

Original English

Sixpence a year wasn't enough to live on — even in those days, long ago; and if the Doctor hadn't had some money saved up in his money-box, no one knows what would have happened.

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Português

O Doutor continuava a conseguir mais animais de estimação. Alimentar todos eles custava muito dinheiro. O dinheiro que ele havia guardado começou a diminuir.

Original English

And he kept on getting still more pets; and of course it cost a lot to feed them. And the money he had saved up grew littler and littler.

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Português

Ele então vendeu seu piano e permitiu que ratos morassem em uma gaveta. O dinheiro que ele recebeu pelo piano também começou a ser gasto. Então, ele vendeu o terno que usava aos domingos, e ficou cada vez mais pobre.

Original English

Then he sold his piano, and let the mice live in a bureau-drawer. But the money he got for that too began to go, so he sold the brown suit he wore on Sundays and went on becoming poorer and poorer.

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Português

Quando o Doutor Dolittle saía usando seu chapéu, as pessoas falavam sobre ele. Lembravam que ele já foi um médico muito conhecido na região. Agora, elas observavam, ele não tinha dinheiro e suas meias tinham buracos.

Original English

And now, when he walked down the street in his high hat, people would say to one another, "There goes John Dolittle, M.D.! There was a time when he was the best known doctor in the West Country — Look at him now — He hasn't any money and his stockings are full of holes!"

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Português

Embora o Doutor Dolittle não fosse mais rico, os cachorros, gatos e crianças continuaram a segui-lo pela cidade, assim como faziam quando ele tinha dinheiro.

Original English

But the dogs and the cats and the children still ran up and followed him through the town — the same as they had done when he was rich.

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ANIMAL LANGUAGE

Português

Um dia, o Doutor estava em sua cozinha conversando com o Vendedor de Carne para Gatos. O Vendedor de Carne para Gatos estava com dor de estômago e tinha ido visitá-lo.

Original English

IT happened one day that the Doctor was sitting in his kitchen talking with the Cat's-meat-Man who had come to see him with a stomach-ache.

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Português

O Vendedor de Carne para Gatos perguntou ao Doutor por que ele não parava de ser médico de pessoas e se tornava médico de animais.

Original English

"Why don't you give up being a people's doctor, and be an animal-doctor?" asked the Cat's-meat-Man.

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Português

Polinésia, o papagaio, estava sentada perto da janela observando a chuva. Ela estava cantando uma canção de marinheiro para si mesma, mas parou para ouvir.

Original English

The parrot, Polynesia, was sitting in the window looking out at the rain and singing a sailor-song to herself. She stopped singing and started to listen.

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Português

O Vendedor de Carne para Gatos disse ao Doutor que ele sabia muito sobre animais, até mais que os veterinários. Ele disse que o livro do Doutor sobre gatos era excelente e que ele poderia ganhar muito dinheiro tratando animais doentes. Ele sugeriu enviar pessoas com gatos e cachorros doentes ao Doutor.

Original English

"You see, Doctor," the Cat's-meat-Man went on, "you know all about animals — much more than what these here vets do. That book you wrote — about cats, why, it's wonderful! I can't read or write myself — or maybe I'd write some books. But my wife, Theodosia, she's a scholar, she is. And she read your book to me. Well, it's wonderful — that's all can be said — wonderful. You might have been a cat yourself. You know the way they think. And listen: you can make a lot of money doctoring animals. Do you know that? You see, I'd send all the old women who had sick cats or dogs to you. And if they didn't get sick fast enough, I could put something in the meat I sell 'em to make 'em sick, see?"

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Português

O médico rapidamente disse não. Ele explicou que fazer aquilo não seria correto.

Original English

"Oh, no," said the Doctor quickly. "You mustn't do that. That wouldn't be right."

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Português

O homem da carne de gato esclareceu que não queria dizer gravemente doente, mas apenas um pouco indisposto. Ele admitiu que talvez não fosse justo com os animais, mas argumentou que eles ficariam doentes de qualquer jeito por serem superalimentados. Ele sugeriu que os fazendeiros com animais doentes procurariam ajuda e que o médico deveria se tornar um veterinário.

Original English

"Oh, I didn't mean real sick," answered the Cat's-meat-Man. "Just a little something to make them droopy-like was what I had reference to. But as you say, maybe it ain't quite fair on the animals. But they'll get sick anyway, because the old women always give 'em too much to eat. And look, all the farmers round about who had lame horses and weak lambs — they'd come. Be an animal-doctor."

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Português

Depois que o homem da carne de gato saiu, o papagaio voou da janela para a mesa do médico.

Original English

When the Cat's-meat-Man had gone the parrot flew off the window on to the Doctor's table and said,

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Português

O papagaio disse ao médico que o homem da carne de gato tinha boas ideias. Ele o aconselhou a se tornar um veterinário em vez de tratar pessoas, sugerindo que os animais apreciariam mais suas habilidades.

Original English

"That man's got sense. That's what you ought to do. Be an animal-doctor. Give the silly people up — if they haven't brains enough to see you're the best doctor in the world. Take care of animals instead — they 'll soon find it out. Be an animal-doctor."

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Português

John Dolittle respondeu que já havia muitos veterinários. Em seguida, colocou seus vasos de flores no parapeito da janela para pegar a chuva.

Original English

"Oh, there are plenty of animal-doctors," said John Dolittle, putting the flower-pots outside on the window-sill to get the rain.

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Português

Polynesia disse ao Doutor que, embora houvesse muitas coisas, nenhuma delas era boa. Ela então perguntou a ele se ele sabia que os animais podiam falar.

Original English

"Yes, there are plenty," said Polynesia. "But none of them are any good at all. Now listen, Doctor, and I'll tell you something. Did you know that animals can talk?"

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Português

O Doutor respondeu que ele já sabia que os papagaios eram capazes de falar.

Original English

"I knew that parrots can talk," said the Doctor.

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Português

Polynesia explicou orgulhosamente que os papagaios podiam falar em duas línguas: a língua humana e a língua dos pássaros. Ela disse que quando ela dizia "Polly quer um biscoito", as pessoas a entendiam. Então ela fez uma pergunta em língua de pássaro: "Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee?"

Original English

"Oh, we parrots can talk in two languages — people's language and bird-language," said Polynesia proudly. "If I say, 'Polly wants a cracker,' you understand me. But hear this: Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee? "

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Português

O Doutor ficou surpreso e perguntou o que aquela língua de pássaro significava.

Original English

"Good Gracious!" cried the Doctor. "What does that mean?"

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Português

Polynesia explicou que aquela língua de pássaro significava: "O mingau já está quente?"

Original English

"That means, 'Is the porridge hot yet?' — in bird-language."

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Português

O médico ficou muito surpreso. Ele disse que o papagaio nunca havia falado com ele daquela forma antes.

Original English

"My! You don't say so!" said the Doctor. "You never talked that way to me before."

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Português

Polinésia perguntou qual teria sido o propósito. Ela limpou algumas migalhas de sua asa e explicou que o médico não a teria entendido se ela tivesse falado de forma diferente.

Original English

"What would have been the good?" said Polynesia, dusting some cracker-crumbs off her left wing. "You wouldn't have understood me if I had."

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Português

O médico ficou muito animado e pediu que Polinésia lhe contasse mais. Ele pegou seu livro de açougueiro e um lápis para anotar as coisas. Pediu que ela falasse devagar e que lhe desse primeiro o ABC dos Pássaros.

Original English

"Tell me some more," said the Doctor, all excited; and he rushed over to the dresser-drawer and came back with the butcher's book and a pencil. "Now don't go too fast — and I'll write it down. This is interesting — very interesting — something quite new. Give me the Birds' A.B.C. first — slowly now."

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Português

Essa experiência ensinou ao médico que os animais tinham sua própria linguagem e podiam se comunicar uns com os outros. Durante toda a tarde chuvosa, Polinésia ficou na mesa da cozinha, dando-lhe palavras de pássaros para ele registrar em seu livro.

Original English

So that was the way the Doctor came to know that animals had a language of their own and could talk to one another. And all that afternoon, while it was raining, Polynesia sat on the kitchen table giving him bird words to put down in the book.

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Português

Quando o cachorro, Jip, entrou na sala na hora do chá, o papagaio apontou para o médico que Jip estava falando com ele.

Original English

At tea-time, when the dog, Jip, came in, the parrot said to the Doctor, "See, he 's talking to you."

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Português

O Doutor achou que o animal parecia estar coçando a orelha.

Original English

"Looks to me as though he were scratching his ear," said the Doctor.

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Português

O papagaio explicou que os animais se comunicam usando as orelhas, as patas e os rabos, não apenas a boca. Ela notou que o animal estava contraindo o nariz, o que era uma forma de falar.

Original English

"But animals don't always speak with their mouths," said the parrot in a high voice, raising her eyebrows. "They talk with their ears, with their feet, with their tails — with everything. Sometimes they don't want to make a noise. Do you see now the way he's twitching up one side of his nose?"

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Português

O Doutor perguntou o que o papagaio queria dizer com aquilo.

Original English

"What's that mean?" asked the Doctor.

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Português

Polinésia respondeu que o animal estava perguntando se o Doutor conseguia ver que a chuva tinha parado. Ela acrescentou que os cães costumam usar o nariz para fazer perguntas.

Original English

"That means, 'Can't you see that it has stopped raining?'" Polynesia answered. "He is asking you a question. Dogs nearly always use their noses for asking questions."

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Português

Com a ajuda do papagaio, o Doutor eventualmente aprendeu a entender as línguas dos animais muito bem. Ele então podia conversar com os animais e entender tudo o que eles diziam. Depois disso, ele parou completamente de ser médico de pessoas.

Original English

After a while, with the parrot's help, the Doctor got to learn the language of the animals so well that he could talk to them himself and understand everything they said. Then he gave up being a people's doctor altogether.

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Português

Quando as pessoas ouviram do Homem-da-Carne-de-Gato que John Dolittle estava se tornando um médico para animais, muitas pessoas trouxeram seus animais de estimação para ele. Velhinhas trouxeram seus cachorros, como pugs e poodles, que tinham comido muito bolo. Fazendeiros também viajaram longas distâncias para trazer suas vacas e ovelhas doentes.

Original English

As soon as the Cat's-meat-Man had told every one that John Dolittle was going to become an animal-doctor, old ladies began to bring him their pet pugs and poodles who had eaten too much cake; and farmers came many miles to show him sick cows and sheep.

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Português

Um dia, um cavalo foi trazido ao Doutor Dolittle. O cavalo ficou muito feliz em encontrar uma pessoa que pudesse entender e falar a língua dos cavalos.

Original English

One day a plow-horse was brought to him; and the poor thing was terribly glad to find a man who could talk in horse-language.

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Português

O cavalo explicou ao Doutor Dolittle que outro veterinário nas proximidades não era muito bom. O cavalo estava doente há seis semanas com um problema, mas acreditava que precisava de óculos porque sua visão estava piorando. Ele achava que cavalos deveriam usar óculos como as pessoas. Ele tentou contar ao outro veterinário, mas o veterinário não conseguia entender a língua dos cavalos e continuava dando remédio em vez de examinar seus olhos.

Original English

"You know, Doctor," said the horse, "that vet over the hill knows nothing at all. He has been treating me six weeks now — for spavins. What I need is spectacles. I am going blind in one eye. There's no reason why horses shouldn't wear glasses, the same as people. But that stupid man over the hill never even looked at my eyes. He kept on giving me big pills. I tried to tell him; but he couldn't understand a word of horse-language. What I need is spectacles."

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Português

O Doutor Dolittle concordou e disse ao cavalo que conseguiria uns óculos para ele imediatamente.

Original English

"Of course — of course," said the Doctor. "I'll get you some at once."

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Português

O cavalo pediu óculos semelhantes aos do Doutor, mas na cor verde. Ele explicou que os óculos verdes ajudariam a bloquear o brilho do sol enquanto ele trabalhava no campo grande.

Original English

"I would like a pair like yours," said the horse— "only green. They'll keep the sun out of my eyes while I'm plowing the Fifty-Acre Field."

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Português

O Doutor concordou e disse que daria as verdes a eles.

Original English

"Certainly," said the Doctor. "Green ones you shall have."

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Português

Enquanto o Doutor deixava o cavalo de arado sair, o cavalo explicou que muitas pessoas pensam que podem tratar animais facilmente porque os animais não reclamam. Ele disse que ser um bom médico de animais é mais difícil do que ser médico de pessoas. O cavalo mencionou que seu rapaz da fazenda, que ele descreveu como não muito inteligente, achava que sabia muito sobre cavalos e tinha tentado colocar um emplastro de mostarda nele.

Original English

"You know, the trouble is, Sir," said the plow-horse as the Doctor opened the front door to let him out— "the trouble is that anybody thinks he can doctor animals — just because the animals don't complain. As a matter of fact it takes a much cleverer man to be a really good animal-doctor than it does to be a good people's doctor. My farmer's boy thinks he knows all about horses. I wish you could see him — his face is so fat he looks as though he had no eyes — and he has got as much brain as a potato-bug. He tried to put a mustard-plaster on me last week."

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Português

O Doutor perguntou onde o menino tinha colocado o emplastro.

Original English

"Where did he put it?" asked the Doctor.

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Português

O cavalo respondeu que o menino não tinha colocado o emplastro nele, mas apenas tentou. O cavalo então chutou o menino no lago dos patos.

Original English

"Oh, he didn't put it anywhere — on me," said the horse. "He only tried to. I kicked him into the duck-pond."

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Português

O Doutor reagiu com surpresa, dizendo "Ora, ora!"

Original English

"Well, well!" said the Doctor.

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Português

O cavalo explicou que ele normalmente era um animal quieto e paciente. No entanto, ele ficou chateado porque o veterinário lhe deu o remédio errado. Ele também achou insuportável quando o outro homem, a quem ele chamou de "idiota de cara vermelha", começou a interferir com ele.

Original English

"I'm a pretty quiet creature as a rule," said the horse— "very patient with people — don't make much fuss. But it was bad enough to have that vet giving me the wrong medicine. And when that red-faced booby started to monkey with me, I just couldn't bear it any more."

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Português

O Doutor perguntou ao cavalo se ele tinha machucado o menino gravemente.

Original English

"Did you hurt the boy much?" asked the Doctor.

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Português

O cavalo respondeu que não tinha machucado muito o menino. Ele mencionou que tinha chutado o homem no lugar correto e que o veterinário agora estava cuidando dele. O cavalo então perguntou quando seus óculos ficariam prontos.

Original English

"Oh, no," said the horse. "I kicked him in the right place. The vet's looking after him now. When will my glasses be ready?"

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Português

O Doutor informou ao cavalo que seus óculos estariam prontos na semana seguinte. Ele convidou o cavalo a voltar na terça-feira e desejou-lhe um bom dia.

Original English

"I'll have them for you next week," said the Doctor. "Come in again Tuesday — Good morning!"

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Português

A visão do cavalo ainda era tão boa quanto antes.

Original English

"He could see as well as ever"

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Português

John Dolittle obteve um grande par de óculos verdes. Depois disso, o problema do olho do cavalo de arado foi resolvido, e ele pôde ver perfeitamente novamente.

Original English

Then John Dolittle got a fine, big pair of green spectacles; and the plow-horse stopped going blind in one eye and could see as well as ever.

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Português

Logo se tornou comum ver animais de fazenda na área de Puddleby usando óculos. Cavalos cegos não eram mais vistos.

Original English

And soon it became a common sight to see farm-animals wearing glasses in the country round Puddleby; and a blind horse was a thing unknown.

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Português

Quando outros animais eram trazidos até ele, eles contavam sobre sua dor e como se sentiam, porque sabiam que ele entendia a língua deles. Isso facilitava a cura.

Original English

And so it was with all the other animals that were brought to him. As soon as they found that he could talk their language, they told him where the pain was and how they felt, and of course it was easy for him to cure them.

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Português

Os animais iam até sua casa, localizada na periferia da cidade.

Original English

"They came at once to his house on the edge of the town"

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Português

Esses animais contaram a seus parentes e amigos sobre o médico que morava na casinha com o grande jardim e era um médico de verdade. Consequentemente, qualquer criatura doente, desde cavalos e vacas até pequenos animais do campo como ratos, ratazanas, texugos e morcegos, ia imediatamente para sua casa. Seu jardim ficava frequentemente cheio de animais esperando para serem atendidos.

Original English

Now all these animals went back and told their brothers and friends that there was a doctor in the little house with the big garden who really was a doctor. And whenever any creatures got sick — not only horses and cows and dogs — but all the little things of the fields, like harvest-mice and water-voles, badgers and bats, they came at once to his house on the edge of the town, so that his big garden was nearly always crowded with animals trying to get in to see him.

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Português

Tantos animais vieram ver o Doutor Dolittle que ele teve que criar portas especiais para eles. Ele colocou placas nas portas, como "CAVALOS" na porta da frente e "VACAS" na porta lateral. Até os ratos tinham um pequeno túnel que levava ao porão, e eles esperavam lá quietos pelo doutor.

Original English

There were so many that came that he had to have special doors made for the different kinds. He wrote "HORSES" over the front door, "COWS" over the side door, and "SHEEP" on the kitchen door. Each kind of animal had a separate door — even the mice had a tiny tunnel made for them into the cellar, where they waited patiently in rows for the Doctor to come round to them.

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Português

Depois de alguns anos, animais de muito longe sabiam sobre John Dolittle. Pássaros voando para outros países contaram aos animais de lá sobre o médico em Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. Eles disseram que ele conseguia entender a linguagem deles e ajudá-los com seus problemas. Por causa disso, ele se tornou muito famoso entre os animais em todo o mundo, ainda mais do que era conhecido pelas pessoas. Ele estava feliz com sua vida.

Original English

And so, in a few years' time, every living thing for miles and miles got to know about John Dolittle, M.D. And the birds who flew to other countries in the winter told the animals in foreign lands of the wonderful doctor of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, who could understand their talk and help them in their troubles. In this way he became famous among the animals — all over the world — better known even than he had been among the folks of the West Country, And he was happy and liked his life very much.

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Português

Uma tarde, o médico estava ocupado escrevendo em um livro. Seu papagaio, Polinésia, estava sentado na janela, como costumava fazer. Ela estava observando as folhas voando no jardim. De repente, ela riu alto.

Original English

One afternoon when the Doctor was busy writing in a book, Polynesia sat in the window — as she nearly always did — looking out at the leaves blowing about in the garden. Presently she laughed aloud.

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Português

O médico levantou os olhos do livro e perguntou a Polinésia o que a estava divertindo.

Original English

"What is it, Polynesia?" asked the Doctor, looking up from his book.

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Português

O papagaio respondeu que estava apenas pensando. Então, continuou a observar as folhas no jardim.

Original English

"I was just thinking," said the parrot; and she went on looking at the leaves.

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Português

O médico perguntou a Polinésia no que ela estava pensando.

Original English

"What were you thinking?"

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Português

Polinésia explicou que estava pensando nas pessoas e sentia que elas não eram tão especiais quanto acreditavam. Ela mencionou que as pessoas aprenderam muito pouco sobre a linguagem dos animais, entendendo apenas coisas simples como um cachorro balançando o rabo. Ela achou estranho que o Doutor Dolittle fosse a primeira pessoa a falar com animais. Polinésia também disse que as pessoas frequentemente a irritavam com seu comportamento orgulhoso e por chamarem os animais de "mudos". Ela contou ao Doutor sobre uma arara esperta que conhecia muitas línguas, incluindo grego, e que havia deixado seu dono porque o dono falava grego incorretamente. Ela se perguntava o que havia acontecido com essa ave, acreditando que ela sabia mais sobre geografia do que a maioria das pessoas. Polinésia imaginou que, se as pessoas algum dia aprendessem a voar, se vangloriariam constantemente sobre isso.

Original English

"I was thinking about people," said Polynesia. "People make me sick. They think they're so wonderful. The world has been going on now for thousands of years, hasn't it? And the only thing in animal-language that people have learned to understand is that when a dog wags his tail he means 'I'm glad!' — It's funny, isn't it? You are the very first man to talk like us. Oh, sometimes people annoy me dreadfully — such airs they put on — talking about 'the dumb animals.' Dumb! — Huh! Why I knew a macaw once who could say 'Good morning!' in seven different ways without once opening his mouth. He could talk every language — and Greek. An old professor with a gray beard bought him. But he didn't stay. He said the old man didn't talk Greek right, and he couldn't stand listening to him teach the language wrong. I often wonder what's become of him. That bird knew more geography than people will ever know. — People, Golly! I suppose if people ever learn to fly — like any common hedge-sparrow — we shall never hear the end of it!"

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Português

O médico disse a Polinésia que ela era uma ave muito sábia. Perguntou sua idade real, mencionando que papagaios e elefantes eram conhecidos por viverem por muito tempo.

Original English

"You're a wise old bird," said the Doctor. "How old are you really? I know that parrots and elephants sometimes live to be very, very old."

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Português

Polinésia disse que não tinha certeza absoluta de sua idade, estimando-a em 182 ou 183 anos. Ela se lembrava de ter vindo da África e visto o Rei Carlos escondido em um carvalho, parecendo muito assustado, o que significava que ela estava viva naquela época.

Original English

"I can never be quite sure of my age," said Polynesia. "It's either a hundred and eighty-three or a hundred and eighty-two. But I know that when I first came here from Africa, King Charles was still hiding in the oak-tree — because I saw him. He looked scared to death."

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MORE MONEY TROUBLES

Português

Logo, o médico começou a ganhar dinheiro novamente. Sua irmã, Sarah, comprou um vestido novo e ficou satisfeita.

Original English

AND soon now the Doctor began to make money again; and his sister, Sarah, bought a new dress and was happy.

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Português

Alguns animais estavam muito doentes e tiveram que ficar na casa do Doutor por uma semana. Quando começaram a se sentir melhor, eles se sentavam em cadeiras do lado de fora, na grama.

Original English

Some of the animals who came to see him were so sick that they had to stay at the Doctor's house for a week. And when they were getting better they used to sit in chairs on the lawn.

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Português

Os animais frequentemente se sentavam em cadeiras no gramado.

Original English

"They used to sit in chairs on the lawn"

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Português

Muitos animais gostavam tanto do Doutor e de sua casa que queriam ficar mesmo depois de estarem bem. O Doutor achava difícil recusá-los quando pediam para ficar, então ele continuava ganhando mais animais de estimação.

Original English

And often even after they got well, they did not want to go away — they liked the Doctor and his house so much. And he never had the heart to refuse them when they asked if they could stay with him. So in this way he went on getting more and more pets.

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Português

Uma noite, o Doutor Dolittle viu um tocador de realejo com um macaco. O macaco parecia infeliz e sua coleira estava muito apertada. O Doutor pegou o macaco, deu algum dinheiro ao homem e disse para ele ir embora. O homem ficou bravo, mas o Doutor ameaçou socá-lo se ele não fosse. O homem foi embora, e o macaco ficou com o Doutor Dolittle, encontrando um bom lar. Os outros animais chamavam o macaco de 'Chee-Chee', que significa 'gengibre' na língua dos macacos.

Original English

Once when he was sitting on his garden wall, smoking a pipe in the evening, an Italian organ-grinder came round with a monkey on a string. The Doctor saw at once that the monkey's collar was too tight and that he was dirty and unhappy. So he took the monkey away from the Italian, gave the man a shilling and told him to go. The organ-grinder got awfully angry and said that he wanted to keep the monkey. But the Doctor told him that if he didn't go away he would punch him on the nose. John Dolittle was a strong man, though he wasn't very tall. So the Italian went away saying rude things and the monkey stayed with Doctor Dolittle and had a good home. The other animals in the house called him "Chee-Chee" — which is a common word in monkey-language, meaning "ginger."

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Português

Outra vez, um crocodilo com uma forte dor de dente escapou do circo e foi para o jardim do Doutor. O Doutor falou com o crocodilo em sua própria língua e consertou seu dente. O crocodilo gostou da casa e quis morar lá, perguntando se poderia dormir no lago dos peixes sem comer os peixes. Quando os homens do circo vieram buscá-lo, o crocodilo ficou selvagem e os assustou. No entanto, ele sempre foi tão gentil quanto um gatinho com todos na casa.

Original English

And another time, when the circus came to Puddleby, the crocodile who had a bad toothache escaped at night and came into the Doctor's garden. The Doctor talked to him in crocodile-language and took him into the house and made his tooth better. But when the crocodile saw what a nice house it was — with all the different places for the different kinds of animals — he too wanted to live with the Doctor. He asked couldn't he sleep in the fish-pond at the bottom of the garden, if he promised not to eat the fish. When the circus-men came to take him back he got so wild and savage that he frightened them away. But to every one in the house he was always as gentle as a kitten.

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Português

Por causa do crocodilo, as pessoas ficaram com medo de levar seus animais de estimação ao Doutor Dolittle. Os fazendeiros também duvidaram que o crocodilo não machucaria seus animais jovens. O Doutor Dolittle disse ao crocodilo que ele precisava voltar para o circo. No entanto, o crocodilo chorou muito e implorou para ficar, então o Doutor não teve coragem de mandá-lo embora.

Original English

But now the old ladies grew afraid to send their lap-dogs to Doctor Dolittle because of the crocodile; and the farmers wouldn't believe that he would not eat the lambs and sick calves they brought to be cured. So the Doctor went to the crocodile and told him he must go back to his circus. But he wept such big tears, and begged so hard to be allowed to stay, that the Doctor hadn't the heart to turn him out.

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Português

Então, a irmã do Doutor veio falar com ele.

Original English

So then the Doctor's sister came to him and said,

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Português

Ela disse ao Doutor Dolittle que ele deveria mandar a criatura embora. Ela explicou que, por causa dela, fazendeiros e senhoras estavam com muito medo de trazer seus animais para tratamento, o que estava prejudicando o negócio deles. Ela avisou que, se ele não removesse o jacaré, ela pararia de ser sua governanta.

Original English

"John, you must send that creature away. Now the farmers and the old ladies are afraid to send their animals to you — just as we were beginning to be well off again. Now we shall be ruined entirely. This is the last straw. I will no longer be housekeeper for you if you don't send away that alligator."

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Português

O Doutor corrigiu sua irmã, dizendo que o animal era um crocodilo, não um jacaré.

Original English

"It isn't an alligator," said the Doctor— "it's a crocodile."

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Português

Sua irmã respondeu que não se importava com o nome dele. Ela achou desagradável descobrir uma criatura dessas debaixo da cama e afirmou que não permitiria que ela ficasse na casa.

Original English

"I don't care what you call it," said his sister. "It's a nasty thing to find under the bed. I won't have it in the house."

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Português

O Doutor explicou a Sarah que o animal havia prometido não morder ninguém. Ele disse que o animal não gostava do circo e que não tinha dinheiro suficiente para mandá-lo de volta para a África. O Doutor também mencionou que o animal geralmente se comportava bem e cuidava da própria vida, pedindo a Sarah que não ficasse tão preocupada.

Original English

"But he has promised me," the Doctor answered, "that he will not bite any one. He doesn't like the circus; and I haven't the money to send him back to Africa where he comes from. He minds his own business and on the whole is very well behaved. Don't be so fussy."

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Português

Sarah insistiu que não queria o animal ali porque ele comia o linóleo. Ela ameaçou se casar se o Doutor não mandasse o animal embora imediatamente.

Original English

"I tell you I will not have him around," said Sarah. "He eats the linoleum. If you don't send him away this minute I'll — I'll go and get married!"

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Português

O Doutor concordou que Sarah poderia ir e se casar, dizendo que não havia outro jeito. Ele então pegou o chapéu e saiu para o jardim.

Original English

"All right," said the Doctor, "go and get married. It can't be helped." And he took down his hat and went out into the garden.

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Português

Sarah Dolittle fez as malas e foi embora. Depois que ela partiu, o Doutor ficou sozinho com sua família de animais.

Original English

So Sarah Dolittle packed up her things and went off; and the Doctor was left all alone with his animal family.

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Português

O Doutor disse a Sarah que ela poderia ir e se casar.

Original English

"'All right,' said the Doctor, 'go and get married'"

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Português

O Doutor Dolittle ficou mais pobre do que nunca. Ele tinha muitos animais para alimentar e uma casa para cuidar. Não havia ninguém para remendar roupas, e não entrava dinheiro para pagar a comida. Esses problemas tornaram as coisas difíceis, mas o Doutor não se preocupava.

Original English

And very soon he was poorer than he had ever been before. With all these mouths to fill, and the house to look after, and no one to do the mending, and no money coming in to pay the butcher's bill, things began to look very difficult. But the Doctor didn't worry at all.

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Português

Ele costumava dizer que o dinheiro era um problema e que as pessoas seriam mais felizes se ele nunca tivesse sido inventado. Ele acreditava que a felicidade era mais importante que o dinheiro.

Original English

"Money is a nuisance," he used to say. "We'd all be much better off if it had never been invented. What does money matter, so long as we are happy?"

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Português

Uma noite, o Doutor estava dormindo em sua cadeira.

Original English

"One evening when the Doctor was asleep in his chair"

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Português

Os animais começaram a se preocupar. Enquanto o Doutor dormia perto do fogo da cozinha numa noite, eles conversavam baixinho. A coruja, Too-Too, que era boa em matemática, calculou que só tinham dinheiro suficiente para uma refeição por dia para cada animal, e isso duraria apenas mais uma semana.

Original English

But soon the animals themselves began to get worried. And one evening when the Doctor was asleep in his chair before the kitchen-fire they began talking it over among themselves in whispers. And the owl, Too-Too, who was good at arithmetic, figured it out that there was only money enough left to last another week — if they each had one meal a day and no more.

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Português

O papagaio sugeriu que todos deveriam fazer o trabalho doméstico eles mesmos. Ele achava que isso era o mínimo que podiam fazer, já que o Doutor estava solitário e pobre por causa deles.

Original English

Then the parrot said, "I think we all ought to do the housework ourselves. At least we can do that much. After all, it is for our sakes that the old man finds himself so lonely and so poor."

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Português

Os animais concordaram em dividir as tarefas domésticas. Chee-Chee, o macaco, cozinharia e remendaria roupas. Jip, o cachorro, varreria o chão. A pata tiraria o pó dos quartos e faria as camas. Too-Too, a coruja, era responsável por administrar o dinheiro. O porco trabalharia no jardim. Polinésia, o papagaio, tornou-se a governanta e lavadeira porque era a mais velha.

Original English

So it was agreed that the monkey, Chee-Chee, was to do the cooking and mending; the dog was to sweep the floors; the duck was to dust and make the beds; the owl, Too-Too, was to keep the accounts, and the pig was to do the gardening. They made Polynesia, the parrot, housekeeper and laundress, because she was the oldest.

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Português

No começo, as tarefas eram difíceis para todos os animais, exceto para Chee-Chee, que tinha mãos e podia fazer tarefas como uma pessoa. No entanto, eles logo se acostumaram ao trabalho. Achavam divertido ver Jip, o cachorro, varrer o chão com um pano amarrado ao rabo como uma vassoura. Eles se tornaram tão habilidosos que o Doutor Dolittle disse que sua casa nunca tinha estado tão arrumada e limpa.

Original English

Of course at first they all found their new jobs very hard to do — all except Chee-Chee, who had hands, and could do things like a man. But they soon got used to it; and they used to think it great fun to watch Jip, the dog, sweeping his tail over the floor with a rag tied onto it for a broom. After a little they got to do the work so well that the Doctor said that he had never had his house kept so tidy or so clean before.

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Português

Por um tempo, as coisas correram bem. Mas os animais acharam muito difícil se virar sem dinheiro.

Original English

In this way things went along all right for a while; but without money they found it very hard.

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Português

Os animais montaram uma barraca do lado de fora do portão do jardim. Vendiam legumes e flores, como rabanetes e rosas, para as pessoas que passavam pela estrada.

Original English

Then the animals made a vegetable and flower stall outside the garden-gate and sold radishes and roses to the people that passed by along the road.

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Português

Mesmo assim, eles não ganhavam dinheiro suficiente para pagar todas as contas. O Doutor Dolittle, no entanto, não parecia preocupado. Quando Polinésia, o papagaio, lhe disse que o peixeiro não lhes daria mais peixe, o Doutor disse que eles deveriam comprar peixe do mar.

Original English

But still they didn't seem to make enough money to pay all the bills — and still the Doctor wouldn't worry. When the parrot came to him and told him that the fishmonger wouldn't give them any more fish, he said,

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Português

O orador disse a alguém para não se preocupar. Eles tinham comida suficiente das galinhas, da vaca e da horta, e o inverno ainda estava longe. O orador então pensou em Sarah, que costumava se preocupar muito.

Original English

"Never mind. So long as the hens lay eggs and the cow gives milk we can have omelettes and junket. And there are plenty of vegetables left in the garden. The Winter is still a long way off. Don't fuss. That was the trouble with Sarah — she would fuss. I wonder how Sarah's getting on — an excellent woman — in some ways — Well, well!"

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Português

No entanto, o inverno chegou mais cedo do que o esperado naquele ano. Um cavalo velho trouxe lenha para uma grande fogueira, mas a maioria dos vegetais da horta havia desaparecido, e os restantes estavam cobertos de neve. Muitos animais estavam com muita fome.

Original English

But the snow came earlier than usual that year; and although the old lame horse hauled in plenty of wood from the forest outside the town, so they could have a big fire in the kitchen, most of the vegetables in the garden were gone, and the rest were covered with snow; and many of the animals were really hungry.

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A MESSAGE FROM AFRICA

Português

Aquele inverno foi muito frio. Em uma noite de dezembro, enquanto todos estavam sentados perto do fogo quente da cozinha e o Doutor estava lendo em voz alta seus próprios livros escritos em linguagem animal, a coruja, Too-Too, de repente falou.

Original English

THAT Winter was a very cold one. And one night in December, when they were all sitting round the warm fire in the kitchen, and the Doctor was reading aloud to them out of books he had written himself in animal-language, the owl, Too-Too, suddenly said,

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Português

A coruja perguntou se eles podiam ouvir um barulho lá fora.

Original English

"Sh! What's that noise outside?"

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Português

Eles ouviram e logo perceberam alguém correndo. A porta então se abriu rapidamente, e o macaco, Chee-Chee, entrou apressado, respirando muito pesadamente.

Original English

They all listened; and presently they heard the sound of some one running. Then the door flew open and the monkey, Chee-Chee, ran in, badly out of breath.

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