# The Fidgit's Story explained — The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

> Chapter companion for The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting.

## What happens

The Doctor works through the night to decipher the fidgit's language, eventually succeeding. The fidgit tells the story of his life, including his capture and thirteen months in an aquarium, and provides information about the Great Glass Sea Snail and the location of Columbus's lost diary. After the interview, the Doctor falls asleep from exhaustion, and Polynesia scolds Tommy for the ship drifting aimlessly.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Exploration

The Doctor's quest to learn the fidgit's language and explore the ocean depths, including the search for the Great Glass Sea Snail and Columbus's lost diary.

### Communication with Animals

The Doctor's successful deciphering of the fidgit's language, enabling a detailed conversation and the translation of the fidgit's life story.

### Education and Curiosity

The Doctor's relentless pursuit of knowledge about shellfish languages, the fidgit's story, and historical artifacts like Columbus's diary.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Dolittle

Works tirelessly through the night to learn the fidgit's language, translates the fidgit's story, and falls asleep from exhaustion.

### Tommy Stubbins

Records the fidgit's story as the Doctor translates, suffers from writer's cramp, and later takes the wheel after being scolded by Polynesia.

### Bumpo Kahbooboo

Falls asleep at the wheel around two in the morning, leaving the ship to drift.

### Polynesia

Scratches angrily at the door and scolds Tommy for the ship drifting, expressing frustration at the lack of navigation.

### The Fidgit

Tells the story of his life, including his capture and time in an aquarium, and provides information about the Great Glass Sea Snail and Columbus's diary.

### Clippa

Mentioned as the fidgit's favorite sister who was caught in the net with him.

## Key lines

> I've got the key to the fidgit's language. It's a frightfully difficult language—quite different from anything I ever heard.

The Doctor announces he has cracked the fidgit's language, noting its extreme difficulty and uniqueness.

_Highlights the Doctor's linguistic achievement and the complexity of the fidgit's language._

> He is an enormous saltwater snail, one of the winkle family, but as large as a big house. He talks quite loudly—when he speaks, but this is not often.

The fidgit describes the Great Glass Sea Snail as a massive, rarely speaking snail that can be used for deep-sea exploration.

_Introduces the Great Glass Sea Snail as a potential solution for the Doctor's underwater exploration needs._

> I cannot thank you enough for all the information you have given me. You have been very helpful and patient.

The Doctor expresses gratitude to the fidgit for the valuable information provided.

_Shows the Doctor's appreciation and the successful conclusion of the interview._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-iv-ii-the-fidgit-s-story
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters