The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter - is a children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter and first published by Frederick Warne & Co. in August 1903. The story is about an impertinent red squirrel named Nutkin and his narrow escape from an owl called Old Brown. The book followed Potter's hugely successful The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and was an instant hit. The now-familiar endpapers of the Peter Rabbit series were introduced in the book. Plot The story focuses on Nutkin, a Squirrel, and his family of Squirrels. In Autumn, preparing for Winter, Nutkin, his brother Twinkleberry, and their many cousins plan on gathering nuts at Owl Island. They sail across the lake on little rafts they have constructed out of twigs. The island is owned by an Owl named Old Brown. In exchange for letting them gather nuts at his island, the Squirrels present Old Brown with a gift of three dead Mice. Nutkin, however, dances about impertinently singing a silly riddle. Old Brown pays no attention to Nutkin, but permits the squirrels to go about their work. However, Nutkin does not help. The next day, the Squirrels give Old Brown a large Mole for permission to gather nuts. Nutkin continues to be rude and tell riddles. He also doesn't help gather nuts again. On the third day, the Squirrels all go fishing and catch seven Minnows and give them to Old Brown. Nutkin again says a riddle, unnerving Old Brown. On the fourth day the Squirrels gift Old Brown with six beetles for him. Nutkin sings Old Brown a Riddle again. Old Brown begins to get annoyed. On the fifth day, the Squirrels give Old Brown lots of sweet Honey (which they have stolen from the Hive of Bumblebees). However, again Nutkin taunts Old Brown with a riddle. And Nutkin doesn't gather nuts, he plays bowling with an apple. Eventually, on the sixth and final day, the Squirrels bring Old Brown a newly-laid egg. Though grateful with the Squirrels for all the presents, Old Brown is very annoyed at Nutkin, who continues to taunt him with riddles and has not done any work since the Squirrels started gathering nuts on the first day. The owl grabs Nutkin by the tail and drags him into his treehouse, disturbing the other Squirrels. Old Brown tries to skin Nutkin alive, however Nutkin manages to escape with all his strength. Though Nutkin gets away, escaping out from the top of the tree, Nutkin realises that his tail has been separated from him. Old Brown has got his tail and Nutkin will never be able to retrieve it. After this moment, Nutkin detests all riddles and if anyone ever asks him a riddle he will throw sticks and start shouting.