Chapter 2 — Unit 2: Wit and Humour

The Cat's-food-Man, who visits Doctor Dolittle with a stomach-ache, suggests that he should give up being a people's doctor and become an animal doctor because he knows more about animals than the local veterinarians.

Polynesia demonstrates by saying 'Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee' in bird language, which she explains means 'Is the porridge hot yet?' She also explains that animals communicate using their ears, feet, tails — not just their mouths — and shows that Doctor Dolittle's dog Jip was asking a question by twitching his nose.

Polynesia explains that there would have been no point because Doctor Dolittle would not have understood her if she had spoken in bird language before.

The plough horse asks for a pair of green spectacles because he is going blind in one eye. He wants the green lenses specifically to keep the sun out of his eyes while ploughing the field.

Farm animals wearing glasses become a common sight in the countryside around Puddleby, and a blind horse becomes a thing unknown after Doctor Dolittle prescribes spectacles to the plough horse.

Doctor Dolittle has special doors made for different kinds of animals: 'HORSES' over the front door, 'COWS' over the side door, 'SHEEP' on the kitchen door, and a tiny tunnel into the cellar for mice, where they wait patiently in rows.

Animals told their brothers and friends about him, and birds that flew to other countries in the winter spread word to animals in foreign lands that there was a doctor who could understand and help them.

The funny man wears a shoe upon his head and hats upon his feet. He raises the shoe and smiles politely at the speaker, and addresses her as 'Your Highness' while presenting a currant bun in place of a rose.

When the speaker asks why the funny man wears two hats upon his feet, he turns the other way about and hops home on his head.

Mrs. Shaw advises Mary to say kind things to please the guests, make them laugh, fill any silence with conversation, and when the guests are ready to leave, to ask them 'Must you go? Can't you stay?' rather than looking glad to see them go.

Mary compliments Mrs. Harding on her children, but Mrs. Harding has no children; she mocks Mr. Best for commuting by train and for being a banker, not knowing that Mrs. Lee's brother is a banker who does exactly the same; she criticises a blue dress with a red coat, which is what Mrs. Harding wears; she calls the dog outside dirty, only to learn it is Mrs. Harding's dog Towzer; and finally she says 'Must you stay? Can't you go?' instead of asking them to stay longer.

The characters are Mary Shaw (a young girl), Mrs. Shaw (Mary's mother), Mrs. Harding (the wife of a wealthy man, Mr. Harding), and Mrs. Lee (Mr. Harding's married sister).

The prose excerpt 'Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle' is by Hugh Lofting; the poem 'A Funny Man' is by Natalie Joan; and the play 'Say the Right Thing' is by G.C. Thornley.

Yes, the full Poorvi Class 7 PDF is available for free on CBSE PrepMaster. You can read it online or download it directly — no sign-up required.