Chapters 1 - 3 Summary

All Things Wise and Wonderful is the third book of Herriot's series about his life as a country veterinary surgeon in the Yorkshire Dales of England. In this book James has joined the military and endures basic training in the RAF during World War II. All he can think of is his overwhelming desire to go home to his wife, Helen, their unborn child and his quiet life in Darrowby, England. His own homesickness brings to mind thoughts of Blossom, a very old cow belonging to Mr. Dakin, one of Herriot's farmer clients. Blossom has lived long past her usefulness as a cow, and is destined for the fatstock market. Blossom has different ideas, for she eludes Dodson, the man who picks up the animals, and comes running back into her stall in the barn, begging with her big soft brown...