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.