Tommy noticed that the storm had stopped long ago.
He told the doctor that he should go home.
"You have to eat something," insisted Dr. Dolittle.
"It's a long walk back to your house."
So Tommy stayed for dinner.
During the meal, Polynesia explained why she had returned.
"I miss the adventure and excitement!" she said.
"I will always love Africa, but I miss going on voyages with you, Doctor."
"Will you be going on another voyage soon, Dr. Dolittle?" asked Tommy.
The doctor pushed away his empty plate.
"Well, I must say, I've been thinking about . . ." he began.
But before he had a chance to answer, an owl flew into the room.
"Oh, hello, Too-Too," the doctor said in greeting.
"You're up early!"
"Welcome home, Dr. Dolittle!" the owl hooted.
Dr. Dolittle ran to the window.
"Oh, dear! Tommy, we'd better get going.
It's already dark outside."
"I'll come with you," said Polynesia.
It was very late when they finally arrived at Tommy's house.
His mother was quite worried and upset.
"It's my fault, Mrs. Stubbins," apologized Dr. Dolittle.
Tommy's mother stared at the little man with the parrot on his shoulder.
"And who might you be, sir?" she asked.
Dr. Dolittle introduced himself.
Then he stuck out his foot and pointed to his boots.
"These were made by your husband, a very fine shoemaker indeed."
Tommy's father blushed.
"Thank you, sir. Won't you come in for some tea?" he invited.
"Dr. Dolittle's come to look at the squirrel," said Tommy.
"Tommy is always bringing home little animals," his mother said.
"Perhaps he will grow up to be an animal doctor," the doctor exclaimed.
"Doctor? Oh, no, sir," his father replied.
"We don't have money to send Tommy to school."
On hearing this, Tommy felt disappointed.
Tommy took the doctor and Polynesia to his room.
He tried not to show how upset he was.
It was true—Tommy's family was very poor.
They couldn't afford to send Tommy to school.
"Here is the squirrel."
Tommy held out the box.
Dr. Dolittle peered inside and started making strange squeaky noises.
"Hello, little friend," he was saying to the squirrel.
"Oh, it's the great Dr. Dolittle," the squirrel said weakly.
"Where does it hurt?"
The doctor poked its leg gently.
Tommy had wrapped the squirrel's leg in a bandage.
"I thought his leg might be hurt," Tommy explained.
The doctor nodded.
"Yes, you did well.
His leg is indeed hurt."
"Tommy! Listen carefully to the squirrel," Polynesia instructed.
Tommy bent down lower, but all he heard were squeaks.
"I can't understand," he sighed.
"Animal talk is more than just sounds," explained Polynesia.
"Look at its gestures, its movements, and try to think like the squirrel."
For the next few minutes, Tommy kept his eyes focused on the squirrel.
Finally he jumped up and said:
"He was attacked by a bird.
He was hurt by a bird!"
"Excellent, Tommy! And what else?" Polynesia said encouragingly.
Tommy turned his attention back to the squirrel.
"Well, uh," Tommy stammered.
"The bird chased him up a tree, and then he found a delicious looking nut . . ."
Dr. Dolittle and Polynesia looked at each other and tried not to laugh.
"Not quite, Tommy," coughed Dr. Dolittle.
"The bird took the squirrel's nut.
But you were right about the bird attacking."
"Doctor, I believe that Tommy may have the gift after all," Polynesia remarked. Tommy smiled.
A little while later, Dr. Dolittle and Polynesia waved good-bye to their new friends.
"I think one day Tommy could become an animal doctor like you," whispered Polynesia.
"Yes," the doctor agreed.
"I wonder what we can do to help him."