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.
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.
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.
"What is it, Polynesia?" asked the Doctor, looking up from his book.
"I was just thinking," said the parrot; and she went on looking at the leaves.