Doctor De Soto summary

Introducing Doctor De Soto

In Doctor De Soto by William Steig, we are introduced to the titular character, Doctor De Soto, a mouse who is a dentist. He lives with his wife, Mrs. De Soto, and together they run a dental practice for animals of all shapes and sizes. The De Sotos are known for their exceptional dental skills and their compassionate nature, but there's one rule they strictly adhere to: they never treat dangerous animals who may harm them.

One day, a fox with a terrible toothache shows up at their doorstep, begging for help. Despite their initial reservations, the De Sotos decide to take pity on the fox and agree to treat him. They successfully remove the aching tooth and send the fox on his way, reminding him to pay them once his toothache is gone.

The Fox Returns

However, the fox returns the next day, his mouth stuffed with food, ready to eat the De Sotos. They quickly come up with a clever plan to save themselves. Doctor De Soto constructs a fake tooth for the fox to replace the one they pulled out, and they manage to escape the fox's clutches. The fox, none the wiser, leaves, believing that he has successfully deceived the mice.

Despite the danger the fox poses, Doctor De Soto is determined to help him, as they have already treated him and they cannot abandon their patient. They continue to treat the fox and replace his fake tooth, all the while devising a plan to outsmart him.

The De Sotos' Ingenious Plan

Doctor De Soto creates a final replacement tooth for the fox, but this time, the tooth is made of heavy gold. When the fox returns for his appointment, the De Sotos convince him that they need to cement the gold tooth in place, rendering him unable to open his mouth for several days. During this time, they construct a tiny hot air balloon and use it to fly out of the fox's reach, escaping his clutches once again.

With the fox left behind, the De Sotos look down from their balloon and see the fox angrily shaking his fist at them. They return home, safe and sound, and relieved that they managed to outwit the sly fox. They also receive a payment from the fox in the form of a bag of gold coins, which he had intended to use to pay for his treatment.

A Tale of Kindness and Ingenuity

In conclusion, Doctor De Soto is a heartwarming and clever tale about kindness, ingenuity, and the triumph of the underdog. Despite the fox's initial intentions to harm them, the De Sotos remain compassionate and continue to treat their patient, all the while using their wit and resourcefulness to outsmart him. The story ends on a positive note, with the De Sotos safe and the fox ironically paying for his own treatment with the very gold tooth that was meant to trap him. It's a delightful reminder that one should never underestimate the power of a small, clever, and kind-hearted mouse.