"Lofting,.Hugh.-.Doctor.Dolittle.and.the.Green.Canary" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lofting Hugh)

Pippinella was a rare kind of canary which the Doctor had found in an
animal shop while taking a walk with Matthew Mugg, the Cats'-Meat-Man.
Thinking he had made a bad bargain because--as he thought--hen canaries
couldn't sing, he had been greatly astonished, on getting her back to
the caravan, to find she had a most unusual mezzo-contralto voice.

And what was more unusual still, she had travelled many thousands of
miles and lived a most varied and interesting life. When she had told
the Doctor some of the dramatic happenings which led up to her being
sold to the animal shop he interrupted her to say:

'You know, Pippinella, for many years now, I have wanted to do a series
of animal biographies. But, because most birds and animals have such
poor memories for details, I have never been able to get on to paper a
complete record of any one animal. However, you seem to be different--to
have the knack for remembering the proper things. You're a born
story-teller. Would you be willing to help me write your biography?'

'Why, certainly, Doctor,' replied Pippinella. 'When would you like to
begin?'

'Any time you feel rested enough,' said the Doctor. 'I'll have Too-Too
fetch some extra notebooks from the storage tent. How about tomorrow
evening after the circus is closed up for the night?'

'All right,' said the canary. 'I'll be harry to begin tomorrow. I _am_
rather tired tonight; this has been a most trying day. You know, Doctor
Dolittle, for a few moments this afternoon I was afraid you were going
to pass right by that dreadful shop and leave me there.'

'Indeed, I might have,' said John Dolittle, 'if your cage hadn't been
hanging in the window where I could see how disappointed you looked as I
began to move away.'

'Thank heaven you came back!' sighed Pippinella. 'I don't know how I
could have borne another moment in that dirty shop.'

'Well,' said the Doctor, 'that's all over now. I hope you'll be very
happy with us. We live quite simply here--as you can see. These animals
and birds I call my family, and--for the time being--this wagon is our
home. One day when we have had enough of circus life, you shall return
to Puddleby with us. There you will find life a great deal quieter--but
pleasant just the same.'

This conversation, which the Doctor had with the green canary, was all
carried on in the bird's own language. You will remember--from previous
stories about John Dolittle and his animal family--that he had learned,
many years before, to speak the language of animals and birds. This
unique ability had earned for him the friendship and loyalty of all