Chapter 1 Summary

All Creatures Great and Small opens in the middle of a wintry night, as James Herriot is called to deliver a calf at the Dinsdales' farm. The night is freezing, and Herriot finds himself on the cobblestone floor of a dilapidated barn, struggling with a cow.

The delivery is not going well, and the hours roll by. Herriot's situation is made more complicated by a relative of the farmers. Uncle, as this man is called, has a veterinarian of his own, and he constantly reminds Herriot that his vet is much more qualified and capable, better built, and much more educated than he is.

As the night drags on, Herriot begins to lose hope that the calf can be saved. Just as he is about to give up, the calf's tongue reacts to his probing. This surprises Herriot, and he redoubles his efforts...