PROLOGUE
ALL that I have written so far about Doctor Dolittle I heard
long after it happened from those who had known him--indeed a
great deal of it took place before I was born. But I now come to
set down that part of the great man's life which I myself saw and
took part in.

Many years ago the Doctor gave me permission to do this. But we
were both of us so busy then voyaging around the world, having
adventures and filling note-books full of natural history that I
never seemed to get time to sit down and write of our doings.

Now of course, when I am quite an old man, my memory isn't so
good any more. But whenever I am in doubt and have to hesitate
and think, I always ask Polynesia, the parrot.

That wonderful bird (she is now nearly two hundred and fifty
years old) sits on the top of my desk, usually humming sailor
songs to herself, while I write this book. And, as every one who
ever met her knows, Polynesia's memory is the most marvelous
memory in the world. If there is any happening I am not quite
sure of, she is always able to put me right, to tell me exactly
how it took place, who was there and everything about it. In
fact sometimes I almost think I ought to say that this book was
written by Polynesia instead of me.

Very well then, I will begin. And first of all I must tell you
something about myself and how I came to meet the Doctor.