PROLOGUE

 ALL that I have written so far about Doctor Dolittle I heard long after it happened from those who had known¹ him—indeed a great deal of it took place before I was born. But I now come to set down that part of the great man’s life which I myself saw and took part in.

 

Many years ago the Doctor gave me permission² to do this. But we were both of us so busy then voyaging³ around the world, having adventures⁴ and filling note-books full of natural history that I never seemed to get time to sit down and write of our doings.

 

Now of course, when I am quite an old man, my memory isn’t so good any more. But whenever I am in doubt⁵ and have to hesitate⁶ and think, I always ask Polynesia, the parrot.

 

That wonderful bird (she is now nearly two hundred and fifty years old) sits on the top of my desk, usually humming sailor⁷ songs to herself, while I write this book. And, as every one who ever met her knows, Polynesia’s memory is the most marvelous[2] memory in the world. If there is any happening I am not quite sure of, she is always able to put me right, to tell me exactly how it took place, who was there and everything about it. In fact sometimes I almost think I ought⁸ to say that this book was written by Polynesia instead of me.

 

Very well then, I will begin. And first of all I must tell you something about myself and how I came to meet the Doctor.

1 known   

adj.大家知道的；知名的，已知的

参考例句：

• He is a known artist.他是一个知名的艺术家。
• He is known both as a painter and as a statesman.他是知名的画家及政治家。

2 permission   

n.许可；同意；许可证

参考例句：

• You were wrong to take the car without permission.你未经许可就把车开走是不应该的。
• With your permission I'll leave now.有你的允许，我这就离开。

3 voyaging   

航行，远行，（尤指）远航( voyage的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Our boat would not have been appropriate for ocean voyaging. 我们的船只本不适合海上航行。 来自柯林斯例句
• The Greenpeace flagship is voyaging through the Arctic cold of the Barents Sea. 绿色和平组织的旗舰正在穿越巴伦支海的北极寒冷地带。 来自柯林斯例句

4 adventures   

冒险活动( adventure的名词复数 )； 冒险经历； 奇遇

参考例句：

• her adventures travelling in Africa 她在非洲旅行时的冒险经历
• She entertained them by narrating her adventures in Africa. 她讲述她在非洲的历险来使他们开心。

5 doubt   

n.怀疑，疑惑；v.怀疑，不信

参考例句：

• I never doubt his ability.我从不怀疑他的能力。
• There was little doubt in my mind.我心里几乎没有疑问。

6 hesitate   

vi.犹豫，迟疑，踌躇，支吾

参考例句：

• If you hesitate too long,you will miss the opportunity.如果你老是犹豫不决，那就会错失良机。
• If you get in trouble,don't hesitate to ask for advice.如果碰到麻烦，要赶紧向人求教。

7 sailor   

n.水手，水兵，海员，船夫

参考例句：

• He has become a sailor.他已成为一名海员。
• She wears a sailor hat.她戴着顶水手帽。

8 ought   

v.aux.应该，大概；n.责任

参考例句：

• Ought I to hand in the homework today?我应当在今天交上作业吗？
• They ought to be here by now.他们这个时候该到了。