"Doctor Aibolit" by Korney Chukovsky, summary

Korney Chukovsky’s fairy tale "Doctor Aibolit" was first published as a book in 1936. The book is based on the works of English writer Hugh Lofting about Doctor Dolittle. Chukovsky creatively reworked the plot, placing the kindly doctor in the seaside town of Pindemonte and imbuing him with the ability to speak fluent animal language.

The story opens the author’s fairy tale cycle about the adventures of the doctor and robber Barmaley, which also includes the poems "Barmaley," "Aibolit," and "Let’s Defeat Barmaley!" The book gained widespread recognition thanks to its adaptations: the 1938 film of the same name directed by Vladimir Nemolyaev, the musical film "Aibolit-66" directed by Rolan Bykov, and the 1984–1985 animated series directed by David Cherkassky.

Journey to the Land of Monkeys

In a small seaside town lives the kind Doctor Aibolit, who has dedicated his life to selflessly helping people and animals. His modest home is home to a variety of animals: hares live in his room, a squirrel in the closet, a hedgehog on the sofa, and white mice in a chest. The doctor’s most faithful companions and household members are the dog Ava, the duck Kika, the little pig Khryu-Kryu, the parrot Karudo, and the owl Bumba. The doctor’s evil sister, Varvara, hates animals, scolds her brother for his filth, and demands that he drive away the inhabitants of the house.

Aibolit masters the language of animals and treats all four-legged and feathered patients free of charge. He fixes glasses for horses, cows, dogs, and old crows, and relieves the pain of bears, foxes, and cranes. Neighborhood children Tanya and Vanya, cured by the doctor of measles and scarlet fever, help hang flyers in the forest announcing the opening of the animal hospital.

Soon, the doctor acquires new pets. Aibolit saves the tortured monkey Chichi from a cruel organ grinder, anoints its wounds with a healing ointment, and drives away its pursuer with the help of his fearsome dog, Ava. Tanya and Vanya quickly become friends with the monkey, who teaches them the cheerful animal dance "tkella." Later, a toothy Crocodile, suffering from a toothache, comes to Aibolit from a traveling circus. Healed and promising not to harm the pet birds, Crocodile remains to live under the bed.

Because of Aibolit’s kindness, who doesn’t take money from the poor or animals, famine strikes the house. The animals take charge of the household: Oink-Oink the pig and Bumba the owl plant a vegetable garden and potatoes, the cow supplies the doctor with milk, the hen lays eggs, and Ava cleans the rooms.

One winter, a frozen swallow knocks on the doctor’s door, bearing disturbing news from distant Africa. A severe epidemic has broken out in the Land of Monkeys, and only a famous Russian doctor can save the dying animals. A sailor friend named Robinson lends the doctor his own sailing ship. Dr. Aibolit takes Crocodile, Chichi, Karudo, Avva, Kiku, Bumba, and Oink-Oink the pig with him, leaving the household in the care of his children. A swallow, holding a burning lantern in its beak, guides the ship.

A fierce storm erupts off the African coast. The ship crashes onto an underwater rock and is smashed to pieces. The travelers reach land on the Crocodile’s broad back, but are immediately captured by the bloodthirsty bandit Barmaley. The pirates throw the doctor and the animals into a stone prison with iron doors, hiding the key under the leader’s pillow.

That night, the brave parrot Karudo squeezes between the iron bars, quietly pulls the heavy key from under the sleeping Barmaley’s head, and brings it to the doctor. Aibolit unlocks the prison door and hurries with his friends into the forest.

The enraged robber sends out a pursuit. The doctor, carrying the tired pig in his arms, reaches the bank of a wide river that blocks the way to the Land of Monkeys. The local monkeys instantly construct a living suspension bridge, linking their arms and tails from bank to bank. Aibolit and his companions safely cross the chasm on the animals’ backs. As Barmaley’s servants step onto the bridge, the trailing monkey lets go, and the pursuers plunge into the water.

In the Land of Monkeys, Doctor Aibolit finds many sick monkeys. The doctor distributes pills and drops, applies mustard plasters and compresses. When the doctor’s assistants collapse from exhaustion, the doctor turns to the local predators for support. The proud lion, rhinoceroses, and tigers initially refuse to help. However, their own cubs soon fall ill. The doctor saves the lion cub and the other cubs, after which the shamed predators meekly begin caring for the sick monkeys.

As a token of gratitude for saving their fellow monkeys, the monkeys decide to give the doctor a remarkable creature — a horned, two-headed Tyani Tolkai. This rare animal sleeps with its heads alternately facing each other and is sensitive to any danger. Tyani Tolkai agrees to leave for a distant northern city. The monkeys hold a festive farewell dinner and erect a large memorial stone at the site of his healing. Crocodile, Chichi, and Karudo remain in their homeland, and the doctor sets out on his return journey.

Barmaley’s servants ambush the doctor near the bay. Tyanitolkai furiously scatters his enemies with his horns, and Crocodile, Ava, and Chichi arrive to the rescue, putting the pirates to flight. Noticing Barmaley’s empty ship in the bay, Aibolit and his four-legged friends seize the vessel and sail away, leaving the robber stranded on the shore.

Returning home, the doctor gives the fast, captured ship to the sailor Robinson as a replacement for the lost vessel. Tyanitolkai gives rides to the town’s children, and Tanya and Vanya decorate his mane with ribbons and silver bells. The evil Varvara tries to beat the beast with an umbrella and force him to carry her, but Tyanitolkai throws her off a cliff into the sea. Sailor Robinson rescues the grumpy woman and, on Aibolit’s advice, takes her to live on a desert island.

Penta and the Sea Pirates

Three years later, while on a walk, the doctor discovers a locked cave by the seashore. Bumba, an owl with keen hearing, detects the sound of a falling tear through the door. Doctor Aibolit smashes the lock with an axe and finds a crying boy named Penta in the damp dungeon.

A child tells of a pirate attack on a fishing boat. The bandits tried to coerce his father into plundering the boat, but when he refused, they kidnapped him and locked him in a cave. A doctor promises to find the missing fisherman. First, dolphins survey the seabed, confirming that the fisherman did not drown. Then eagles search the mountains and forests, but find no trace of the abducted man.

Then the dog, Avva, joins the search. Sniffing the red handkerchief left by his father, which smells of tobacco and Dutch herring, Avva determines the direction by the westerly wind. Aibolit borrows Robinson’s ship and sets out to sea, following the dog’s nose. On a distant rocky island, Avva finds a deep hole where an exhausted fisherman lies.

The doctor feeds the rescued animal and returns it, along with his mother, Penta, to their native village. The villagers noisily celebrate the family reunion, and the village elder, the shepherd Bambuko, ceremoniously presents Avva with a luxurious collar with an inscription of gratitude.

Three days later, Aibolit sets out on his return voyage. On the high seas, he is overtaken by a black pirate ship led by Barmaley. A swallow flies to the doctor’s aid and brings a flock of cranes, who attach the ship to a rope and carry it away from pursuit.

The tired birds abandon the ship near the shore. Soon, an owl spots rats hastily leaving the hold. Realizing the hull is leaking, the doctor and the animals land on the sand. Meanwhile, pirates discover the abandoned vessel and board to loot. Seizing the opportunity, Aibolit and his companions secretly commandeer the unguarded black pirate corvette.

Because Oink-Oink, the pig, has a cold and sneezes loudly on deck, the pirates notice the maneuver and give chase on the doctor’s sinking ship. Barmaley fires a pistol and wounds Tyanitolkai in the chest. The doctor pulls his wounded friend from the water, bandages him, and leads the ship forward. Soon, the pirates’ battered ship sinks, and the pirates and Barmaley, who ended up in the water, are swallowed by predatory sharks.

On the high seas, the doctor picks up the longing Crocodile, the parrot Carudo, and the monkey Chichi, who have decided to return forever to their cozy northern home. The town of Pindemonte greets the travelers with festive lights, torches, and songs. The grateful townspeople give the doctor a new ship for clearing the sea lanes of pirates.

The festive feast in the garden is interrupted by the arrival of more seriously ill animals: a bear bitten by a wolf, a wounded seagull, and a fawn with scarlet fever. The doctor, accompanied by Penta, rushes to the office, prepares healing potions, and heals the patients. The joyful animals and friends come out into the garden and joyfully dance the "tkella" animal dance.