The theme of a story is the underlying message of the text. Readers must infer the theme. “The author doesn’t come right out and tell the reader the theme of the story. Readers must think about the characters, the plot, and the setting to help them infer the theme.”

“Some common themes are friendship, family, perseverance, and honesty

Too many animals in the house Beginning “There goes the doctor – He’s a clever man!” Kids and dogs would follow him. Has a housekeeper Looks after the garden Changes Too many animals in the house Patients won’t come back even if they’re sick Losing money Doctor likes animals better than humans Let’s think back to Lesson 2 where we answered the question about how Dr. Dolittle changed. We looked at how he was in the beginning the changes that occurred.

"John, how can you expect sick people to come and see you when you keep all these animals in the house? It's a fine doctor would have his parlor full of hedgehogs and mice! That's the fourth personage these animals have driven away. Squire Jenkins and the Parson say they wouldn't come near your house again—no matter how sick they are. We are getting poorer every day. If you go on like this, none of the best people will have you for a doctor.“ "But I like the animals better than the 'best people'," said the Doctor. I remember a part of the story that I think helped Dr. Dolittle learn the lesson that caused him to change was when his sister was nagging him about all the animals in the house. Dr. Dolittle was losing all his clients and they were getting poorer everyday. Dr. Dolittle admits he likes animals better than people. Working as a doctor for people just wasn’t working.

the animals so well that he could talk to them himself and understand "That man's got sense. That's what you ought to do. Be an animal-doctor. Give the silly people up—if they haven't brains enough to see you're the best doctor in the world. Take care of animals instead—THEY'll soon find it out. Be an animal-doctor." After a while, with the parrot's help, the Doctor got to learn the language of the animals so well that he could talk to them himself and understand everything they said. Then he gave up being a people's doctor altogether. Later in the story Polynesia and the Cats-meat-Man encourage Dr. Dolittle to be an animal doctor because he is so passionate about animals. Polynesia teaches him about animal language so he can be an even better animal doctor. Finally, he gives up on being a people’s doctor and works on only with animals. Not only does he learn be is a good animal doctor, he learns that this is his passion and perhaps what he is meant to do.