The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin: Annotated

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix PotterSquirrel Nutkin is a red squirrel who lives with his brother Twinkleberry and several other squirrels in a wood by a lake. In the center of the lake is an island called Owl Island. There is a hollow tree on the island that is home to an owl known as the Old Brown.

In the fall, squirrels make rafts and sail to Owl Island to collect nuts. They go there every day for six consecutive days. Squirrel Nutkin joins them, although he spends more time on the island playing than collecting nuts. Every day, the majority of squirrels very politely ask Old Brown for permission to collect nuts on the island. Every day they bring him a gift. They bring him three large mice on the first day, a large mole on the second day, seven large minnows on the third day, six large leaf-wrapped beetles on the fourth day, wild honey on the fifth day, and a new egg on the sixth day. Unlike other squirrels, Nutkin does not treat Old Brown with much respect. Every day, Squirrel Nutkin annoys Old Brown by singing riddles to him. Old Brown is not interested in puzzles. He doesn't try to answer them and ignores Squirrel Nutkin.

On the sixth day, Squirrel Nutkin sings three puzzles to Old Brown. When the owl doesn't respond to any of them, Squirrel Nutkin jumps on the owl's head. The furious old brunette takes Squirrel Nutkin to his house. He holds the squirrel by its tail, intending to skin it. Squirrel Nutkin struggles to break free, snapping its tail in half in the process and managing to escape.

Squirrel Nutkin now hates puzzles. If someone looks at Nutkin's tree and asks them for a riddle, the squirrel will throw sticks, kick their feet, and make an angry noise.