Whittington

Bernie forgets to file Spooker’s teeth and she falls ill. The vet explains that because Spooker’s teeth have lost their sharp edge, she hasn’t been able to grind the food that she eats into fine bits; this means that she has been swallowing pieces of food that are too large to pass through her intestines, causing a blockage in her gut. The vet treats Spooker’s gut cramps and files her teeth, and Spooker makes a full recovery.

Abby and Whittington disagree on how best to encourage Ben’s reading progress. Ben can read back statements which he has memorized, and while Whittington argues that it should count as reading, Abby isn’t certain. To diffuse the argument, the Lady suggests Whittington continue with his story.

Dick and his cat arrive in Tripoli, North Africa, and meet the king there. Having acquired a reputation as an accomplished mouser, Dick’s cat displays her skills for the king by killing several rats in his throne room. The king is desperate to own her to improve his people’s quality of life, as their homes and food stores are overrun by vermin.

Dick is reluctant to let his cat go, but she gives him a look that he interprets as her telling him to accept the king’s request. Dick negotiates for jewels, treasure, and the rare healing herb Ampacherie in exchange for his cat. Despite his boons, Dick feels lonely and lost on his return journey to London, knowing that he cannot replace his cat.

Marion and Bernie receive a letter from the school recommending that Ben be placed in the Special Ed class; he is at risk of failing due to his poor progress in reading. Bernie and Marion are afraid that if they don’t follow the school’s recommendations, Ben and Abby will be removed from their care: Bernie and Marion are only fostering the children, since their father has not officially surrendered his rights, despite being absent in the children’s lives. Ben despairs; all his feelings about his mother’s death, his father’s absence, and his frustration with reading boil over at once. Marion comforts him.

Bernie speaks with Ben’s principal, Don, and agrees that Ben will observe a Reading Recovery class and consider entering the program.

Bernie shares the news with Ben that he’ll have to observe a Reading Recovery class. Ben receives the news stoically but worries about what his classmates will think. Whittington has a hairball.

Ben’s reading improves under Abby and the animals’ tutelage. Whittington continues the story with Dick’s return to London.

Fitzwarren, thrilled at Dick’s success, pays him for the goods he brought back. Now rich, Dick takes some of his fortune to the man from whom he purchased the cat, Sir Louis Green, feeling that he owes his good fortune to his cat. While there, Dick glimpses Sir Louis’s beautiful, black-clothed granddaughter. Sir Louis does not want to accept Dick’s money, feeling that Dick has rightfully earned it, but does agree to invest some of it for him and to give a share of it to Will Price, the coachman who helped convey Dick to London.

Sir Louis offers Dick some cryptic counsel: Dick will have time to give enough to meet everyone’s needs, but he must first give them education, clean water, and comfort for the old and sick.

Bernie acquires a new rooster, who quickly becomes friends with Coraggio and Blackie, and a goat. The children name the rooster Brahms and the goat Willy. The barn community welcomes them.