Wit and Humour Class 7 English Chapter 2 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Chapter 2 of the Class 7 English curriculum, titled “Wit and Humour,” introduces students to the charming and amusing world of animals, communication, and imagination. 

One key highlight is the story of Doctor Dolittle, a compassionate doctor who discovers a unique ability to understand and speak with animals. 

The unit is divided into engaging stories, poems, and activities that encourage students to explore humour in literature and everyday life.

The story opens with Doctor Dolittle, a kind and curious man, who receives advice from the Cat’s-food-Man to become an animal doctor instead of treating people. 

This is because Dolittle possesses profound knowledge of animal behavior and care. The Cat’s-food-Man appreciates Dolittle’s expertise and even references his book about cats, which impresses animal lovers in the community.

Polynesia, a smart and talkative parrot living with the doctor, plays a crucial role in the story. She reveals to Doctor Dolittle that many animals can communicate, often in languages only they understand. 

Polynesia demonstrates her talent by speaking both human and bird languages, telling the doctor that “Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee?” means “Is the porridge hot yet?” in bird language. This opens Doctor Dolittle’s eyes to the rich world of animal communication.

Excited by this new information, Doctor Dolittle asks Polynesia to teach him the bird language, writing down each word and phrase. 

He soon realizes that animals talk not only verbally but also by using body language. For instance, the dog Jip communicates by twitching his nose, which Polynesia interprets as a question about the weather. Dogs, according to Polynesia, often use their noses to ask questions.

With Polynesia’s help, Doctor Dolittle learns the language of many animals. Eventually, he decides to stop treating human patients and instead becomes an animal doctor. 

This decision paves the way for his reputation as a caring and successful physician for animals in his town.

As word spreads, Doctor Dolittle’s home is soon visited by a wide variety of animals, from pet dogs and cats to farm animals like cows and horses. 

One notable case involves a plough horse who complains about being given “big pills” for his eyes when all he actually needs are spectacles. 

Doctor Dolittle listens attentively and promptly gets the horse a pair of green spectacles, helping it see clearly again. This simple but clever solution soon becomes popular, with animals in the countryside often seen wearing glasses.

Doctor Dolittle becomes so successful that his house is crowded with creatures needing care. He even builds separate doors for different animals—“HORSES” above the front door, “COWS” on the side, “SHEEP” at the kitchen, and a tiny tunnel for mice in the cellar. 

This thoughtful arrangement shows his understanding of animal needs and his willingness to help all creatures, big or small.

Within a few years, every animal for miles knows about Doctor Dolittle, and his fame soon spreads to distant lands, carried by migrating birds. 

Animals trust him because he listens carefully, understands their feelings, and solves their problems with kindness. 

This not only makes Doctor Dolittle happy but also brings a sense of harmony between humans and animals in the community.

• Doctor Dolittle’s ability to communicate with animals is unique and sets him apart from other veterinarians.
• Polynesia is key in teaching him animal language and how to interpret animal behaviour and emotions.
• Animals communicate using both sounds and body language—ears, tails, noses, and feet.
• Dolittle’s solutions, such as spectacles for horses, show the power of listening and empathy in problem-solving.
• Special arrangements at his home for different animals reflect both practical thinking and respect for all creatures.

The unit also features the poem “A Funny Man” by Natalie Joan. The poem paints a light-hearted picture of a man who wears a shoe on his head and hats on his feet, greeting people politely but in a very unusual manner. 

Through rhyming lines and playful imagery, the poem encourages students to appreciate the comedy in everyday life and find joy in the unexpected.

Activities before and after reading the poem ask students to recognize and share things that make them laugh, such as cartoons, jokes, or funny faces. These exercises help build a connection to the text and promote creative thinking.

• The poem uses exaggeration and absurdity to create humour.
• It invites readers to find humour in everyday situations and see the world differently.

Throughout the unit, students are engaged in activities that help them reflect on their relationships with animals, observe animal body language, and discuss their interpretations. 

There are prompts to think about pets and the emotions animals may communicate. Discussion questions also include practical applications, such as how Doctor Dolittle can manage challenges as more animals come for help.

In addition to reading and answering direct questions, students are also asked to arrange events from the story in order, helping them develop sequencing skills. 

These comprehensive activities serve to enhance understanding, encourage empathy for animals, and foster a love for reading humorous literature.

Focus on how Doctor Dolittle’s story teaches the values of empathy, observation, and communication. 

Review the poem to understand how humour can be expressed in different forms. Use the discussion and activity pointers to further deepen your knowledge and build confidence in both understanding and expressing humour in English.

Class 7 English Chapter 2 Notes – Wit and Humour: Important Revision Points

These concise Class 7 English Chapter 2 notes cover all major story elements and poetry details from “Wit and Humour.” 

Summarized bullet points and explanations help students quickly understand Doctor Dolittle’s adventures and the playful tone of “A Funny Man.” 

Use these revision notes to strengthen comprehension and recall key literary features easily before exams.

With clear explanations and structured points, students gain a strong grasp of character traits, central events, and the use of humour in both the story and poem. 

These Class 7 English revision notes for Unit 2 help develop better observation skills and ensure you remember important facts for classroom discussions and assessments.