What the Animals Do and Say

In Short

This book serves as a nineteenth-century pedagogical bridge between natural history and moral education. Structured as a series of evening conversations between a mother and her sons, Harry and Frank, it covers everything from the migration of swallows to the legendary intelligence of elephants. By weaving together factual observations—often citing naturalists like Wilson—with whimsical fables such as "Caliph Stork," the text aims to cultivate a child’s capacity for observation, empathy, and intellectual curiosity. Its enduring quality lies in the warmth of the dialogue and the timeless wonder it finds in the animal kingdom.

The Story

The narrative follows a gentle domestic rhythm. Each evening, Mis. Chilton sits with her sons, Harry and Frank, to discuss the creatures of the earth and air. She begins by describing the migratory habits of martins and swallows, emphasizing that these birds possess an innate, divinely guided instinct that allows them to travel long distances without error, a feat far more impressive than the navigation of human sea captains. This leads to a discussion of the "mind" as a unique human gift—a set of mental "wings" that allow children to explore and learn just as birds explore the physical world.

As the boys’ curiosity grows, the mother expands the scope of her lessons. She shares accounts of the bluebirds that nest in an olive jar outside her window, detailing their domestic labor and their struggle against a "piratical" wren. This sparks a broader inquiry into the social lives of animals. She recounts the mysterious "courts of justice" observed among crows, where the birds seem to hold trials and execute their peers, and shares anecdotes of loyal dogs and cats, including a faithful feline who dies of grief upon the passing of her master.

The conversation eventually moves toward larger, more exotic creatures. The mother describes the elephant as the most intelligent of beasts, capable of learning complex tasks and exhibiting deep emotions—both affection and revenge. She balances these observations with a cautionary tale of a bear hunt and a miraculous story of a pike that, after being injured and treated by a surgeon, retains a memory of its benefactor and seeks him out daily.

The final arc of the book shifts from natural history to the classic German fable of "Caliph Stork." The story follows Caliph Chasid and his vizier, who purchase a magic powder that allows them to transform into animals and understand their language. Through their own folly—laughing when they are forbidden to do so—they lose the magic word ("Mutabor") and remain trapped as storks. Their journey to break the spell leads them to a ruined castle where they meet an enchanted owl, a princess cursed by the same sorcerer. By eavesdropping on the sorcerer’s secret meeting, they recover their lost word, regain their human forms, and rescue the princess. The book concludes with the Caliph and his new queen returning to Bagdad, where they live happily, occasionally joking about their time as storks.

How It Unfolds

The nature of migration Mis. Chilton introduces her sons to the concept of travel among birds, explaining that they follow an unerring instinct rather than maps or charts. This serves as the foundation for the idea that nature possesses a hidden, orderly wisdom.

Domestic observations The mother shares the intimate drama of the bluebirds in her garden. She highlights the birds’ industriousness and their conflicts with other species, showing her sons how to watch nature with patience and active care.

The social habits of beasts The scope broadens to include animal "justice" and intelligence. By recounting stories of crows, dogs, and elephants, the mother encourages the boys to weigh the capacities of animals against their own moral development.

A fable of transformation The shift to the story of "Caliph Stork" moves the boys from passive learning to active imagination. The trial of the Caliph serves as a narrative climax, rewarding the boys' curiosity with a tale that combines the wonder of magic with the lesson of patience.

The People

Mis. Chilton is the guiding intelligence of the book. She is a patient, observant educator who values wonder as much as fact. She wants her sons to understand that the world is vast and that every living thing has a purpose. She serves as the bridge between the wild world and the domestic hearth.

Harry and Frank are the eager, questioning audience. Harry is often the one to prompt his mother with specific, practical questions, while Frank is more inclined toward the philosophical, wondering aloud about the happiness of animals and the nature of his own mind. Their growth is marked by their transition from simple curiosity to a more profound, respectful engagement with the creatures they discuss. By the end, they are not just consumers of stories, but thinkers who appreciate the complexity of the life around them.

The animal figures—the bluebirds, the surgeon’s pike, and the Caliph in his stork form—act as mirrors for the boys. Whether through the bluebirds' domestic fidelity or the Caliph's struggle against his own impulsiveness, these creatures represent different virtues and flaws, providing the mother with concrete examples to help her sons navigate their own development.

In Its Own Voice

"In their long way through the pathless air, they never make a mistake."

The mother explains the mystery of bird migration as a testament to the order of the natural world.

"If you think your mind is better than the martin's wings, my dear, be thankful for the possession of it; and be thankful too that God has allowed you the privilege of making yourself happy by your own efforts."

Mis. Chilton uses the comparison between a bird’s flight and a boy’s intellect to teach the value of inner development.

"The pike then swam backward and forward while the doctor remained there."

This highlights the surprising capacity for memory and connection found even in creatures typically considered "stupid."

What It's Really About

At its core, this book explores the relationship between the human mind and the natural world. It poses the question of whether humans are truly distinct from the rest of creation or part of a shared, governed order. The text argues that empathy is a form of knowledge; by observing the "domestic industry" of birds or the "affection" of an elephant, a child learns to recognize a universal spark of life. It also posits that human intelligence is a special responsibility—a set of "wings" for the mind—that requires us to be stewards of the creatures we study, rather than mere observers.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy vintage children's literature, specifically the didactic yet gentle style of the nineteenth century, will find this a charming artifact. It captures a time when learning was a communal, spoken activity between parent and child, and it is best read with that same sense of quiet, evening reflection. Those who are fond of nature writing—even the speculative, anecdotal kind common to the era—will enjoy the mother’s vivid descriptions of the countryside.

However, a modern reader must be prepared for the period-specific attitudes within the text. The mother’s casual mention of the "cruelty" of animals and the somewhat abrupt, moralistic tone regarding "ill-humor" reflect the social values of a bygone era. Additionally, the inclusion of the "Caliph Stork" fable, while delightful, represents a sharp departure from the naturalistic tone of the earlier chapters. The language remains accessible and warm, but the framing of the world—where every animal behavior is interpreted through a human lens of morality—is distinctly mid-1800s. It is a rewarding read for those who wish to step back into a quieter, more inquisitive, and distinctly structured time of moral and scientific education.