Doctor Aybolit facts for kids
Doctor Aybolit (which means "Ouch, it hurts!" in Russian) is a famous fictional character. He appears in children's poems and a story by the Russian writer Korney Chukovsky. Aybolit is known for being a kind doctor who helps animals.
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Who is Doctor Aybolit?
Doctor Aybolit is a beloved character in Russian culture. He is a good doctor who cares for all animals. His name, "Aybolit," sounds like someone saying "Ouch, it hurts!" This fits perfectly with his job of healing those in pain.
Where Did Aybolit Come From?
The idea for Doctor Aybolit came from another famous character: Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting. Just like some other Russian stories, such as Buratino (a version of Pinocchio) or The Wizard of the Emerald City (like The Wizard of Oz), Doctor Aybolit is a "loose adaptation." This means it's inspired by a foreign book but changed to be a new, original story.
For example, Doctor Aybolit's story includes a creature similar to Doctor Dolittle's Pushmi-pullyu. In Russian, this creature is called a tyani-tolkay. While the longer prose story of Aybolit always mentioned Hugh Lofting as the inspiration, the poems about Aybolit are completely original works by Chukovsky.
Aybolit's Adventures and Impact
Doctor Aybolit's stories are very popular. He often travels to far-off lands, like Africa, to help sick animals. He faces many challenges but always succeeds in healing his patients.
Aybolit in Films
The character became a big part of Russian culture. His stories have been made into several films:
- Doktor Aybolit (a black and white film from 1938)
- Aybolit 66 (a colorful film from 1967)
- Doctor Aybolit (a popular animated film series from 1985)
Aybolit's Legacy Today
Doctor Aybolit's name and image are still used today. You might see them on logos for medical places, or even on candy! This shows how much people love and remember this kind animal doctor.
The Evil Pirate Barmaley
Every hero needs a villain, and for Doctor Aybolit, it's the evil pirate Barmaley. Barmaley is a very famous bad guy in Russian stories. He first appeared in Chukovsky's book Barmaley in 1925, even before Doctor Aybolit's first story.
Famous Sayings and Inspiration
The poems about Aybolit and Barmaley gave us many popular Russian sayings. For example:
- "Nu spasibo tebe, Aybolit!" (Thanks to you, Aybolit!)
- "Ne hodite deti v Afriku gulyat" (Children, don't go to Africa for a stroll!)
These stories even inspired the famous Barmaley Fountain in Volgograd (which was once called Stalingrad).
An English Version
In 1967, an English version of the story was published by Richard N. Coe. It was called Doctor Concocter. It begins with a fun line: "Doctor Concocter sits under a tree, He's ever so clever, he has a degree!"
Real-Life Inspiration
Did you know Doctor Aybolit might have been inspired by a real person? Chukovsky knew a Jewish doctor named Zemach Shabad (1864–1935) from Vilnius. Doctor Shabad was known for being very kind and helping people and animals. A monument was built in his honor in Vilnius in 2007.
- . Extracts of Aybolit and Barmaley.[1][2]
