19 Home

CHAPTER 19 Home The boy and his uncle were very happy to see each other! The uncle picked his nephew up and

gave him a big hug. "What happened to you?" the boy asked. "When I wouldn't join the pirates," his uncle began, "they left me on that rock all alone. I only had a little food and water. It's good that you found me when you did!" "Yes, we're all very lucky," Doctor Dolittle agreed. "Now I think we should get you home. I'm sure everyone will be worried." Doctor Dolittle followed the uncle's directions back to his home, where they arrived in only a few hours. Townsfolk ran to meet them as they docked in the harbor. As soon as they saw it was the little boy and his uncle, they began to cheer. The townsfolk gathered around the boy. They listened as he told them what had happened. "If it weren't for Jip, we never would have found him!" he said. A woman rushed through the crowd and grabbed the boy. She lifted him up into her arms. "My little boy!" she cried.

"Mother!" he said. He hugged her tight and began to cry. The mayor of the town walked over to Doctor Dolittle. "How ever can we thank you?" he asked. "We surely would have lost them both without your help." "We always help whenever we can," Doctor Dolittle said. "Please stay for the night," the mayor said. "We'll have a feast and a dance to celebrate. It would be our honor." So everyone walked back to the town. A long table was set up in the middle of the town square. They put up decorations and lit all the street lamps. Everyone brought food to share, so there was plenty to eat. They all sat down and had a wonderful meal. After dinner, the mayor made a speech. He thanked Doctor Dolittle and the animals again. "And now we would like to give a present to Jip— something special for a special dog."

The mayor held out a small box. Doctor Dolittle opened it up for Jip. "My goodness," the doctor said. "How beautiful!" He held it out for Jip. It was a collar made of solid gold, which read: TO JIP: THE CLEVEREST DOG IN THE WORLD! Jip wagged his tail to say "Thank you." He asked Doctor Dolittle to pass the message on in human language, as well. The celebration went long into the night. Everyone sang and danced and laughed. Doctor Dolittle could not remember the last time he'd had so much fun. And Jip could not remember a time when he'd felt so proud. The next morning, Doctor Dolittle prepared to set sail again. "Wouldn't you like to stay awhile longer?" the mayor asked.

"Yes," the boy added. "Why don't you stay until winter?" "I'm sorry," Doctor Dolittle said. "I really must be going. I've been away for far too long already." So the doctor and his animals all piled back on the boat. They set sail once again. All the townsfolk gathered on the beach and waved good-bye. They arrived back in England on a bright sunny day. They did not go home right away, though. First of all, Doctor Dolittle sent the boat to his friend the fisherman. He hoped he would be pleased with the new pirate ship. The pushmi-pullyu had grown to love the doctor and all the animals. He thought of them as his new family. He knew the doctor needed money to run his home. So the pushmi-pullyu told the doctor that would like to help. He offered to go on display. "Are you sure?" the doctor asked. "I know you are shy. I don't want you feel uncomfortable."

"It would be my pleasure to help," the pushmipullyu said. "I don't feel so shy with all of you. I don't feel as lonely as I did in the jungle." So the doctor and his animals toured the country. They stopped in every town along the way. They put up a sign that said: SEE THE PUSHMI-PULLYU! ONLY FIFTY CENTS! People came from miles around to see this strange creature. They became so popular that they bought a tent, where more people could see the pushmipullyu at the same time. Of course, Doctor Dolittle let children in for free when he thought no one was looking. This made Dab-Dab angry but she did not try to stop it. How could she complain when it made the doctor so happy? Eventually their show grew so well known