Doctor Dolittle and his crew sail homeward on the pirate ship. As they move out into the open sea, they explore the ship and discover it luxuriously outfitted with fine furnishings, rich carpets, and delicious food. While exploring, they come across a locked door and, despite their efforts, fail to find a key to unlock the door. During their search, Too-Too the owl suddenly hears a faint noise coming from behind the locked door and insists that there is someone inside. Doctor Dolittle is skeptical, but Too-Too explains that he can hear someone putting their hand in their pocket, a noise so faint that only an owl could detect it.

Doctor Dolittle, impressed by Too-Too’s keen hearing, asks him to listen again to determine what the person is doing. Too-Too listens carefully and confirms that there is indeed someone behind the door as he hears a faint sound of crying, as if someone is very sad. Realizing they need to get to the person behind the door quickly, Doctor Dolittle decides to break the door down.

Behind the door, Doctor Dolittle discovers a young boy, about eight years old, crying. The boy is initially afraid, thinking Doctor Dolittle might be one of the pirates.