This is a Tale about a tail—a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel, and his name was Nutkin. He had a brother called Twinkleberry, and a great many cousins: they lived in a wood at the edge of a lake.

Timmy Tiptoes and his squirrel wife, Goody store up nuts for the winter.

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkinby Beatrix PotterSquirrel Nutkin would rather ask an old owl riddles than gather nuts with theother squirrels. 27 illustrations to color.

This story is one of the famous Peter Rabbit Books written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, which have been enchanting children throughout the world for four generations. The new color reproductions were taken from Potter's original artwork, and appear just as freshly as when they were first painted.

"A STORY FOR NORAH" This is a Tale about a tail-a tail that belonged to a lit-tle red squirrel, and his name was Nutkin. He had a brother called Twinkleberry, and a great many cousins: they lived in a wood at the edge of a lake. In the middle of the lake there is an island covered with trees and nut bushes; and amongst those trees stands a hollow oak-tree, which is the house of an owl who is called Old Brown. One autumn when the nuts were ripe, and the leaves on the hazel bushes were golden and green-Nutkin and Twinkleberry and all the other little squirrels came out of the wood, and down to the edge of the lake. They made little rafts out of twigs, and they paddled away over the water to Owl Island to gather nuts. Each squirrel had a little sack and a large oar, and spread out his tail for a sail. They also took with them an offering of three fat mice as a present for Old Brown, and put them down upon his door-step. Then Twinkleberry and the other little squirrels each made a low bow, and said politely- "Old Mr. Brown, will you favour us with permission to gather nuts upon your island?" But Nutkin was excessively impertinent in his man-ners. He bobbed up and down like a little red cherry, singing- "Riddle me, riddle me, rot-tot-tote! A little wee man, in a red red coat! A staff in his hand, and a stone in his throat; If you'll tell me this riddle, I'll give you a groat." Now this riddle is as old as the hills; Mr. Brown paid no attention whatever to Nutkin. He shut his eyes obstinately and went to sleep.

Squirrel Nutkin would rather ask an old owl riddles than gather nuts with theother squirrels. 27 illustrations to color.This is a Tale about a tail-a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel, and his name wasNutkin.He had a brother called Twinkleberry, and a great many cousins: they lived in a wood atthe edge of a lake.In the middle of the lake there is an island covered with trees and nut bushes; and amongst those trees stands a hollow oak-tree, which is the house of an owl who is called Old BrownOne autumn when the nuts were ripe, and the leaves on the hazel bushes were golden and green-Nutkin and Twinkleberry and all the other little squirrels came out of the wood, and down to the edge of the lake.They made little rafts out of twigs, and they paddled away over the water to Owl Island to gather nuts.Each squirrel had a little sack and a large oar, and spread out his tail for a sail.

Squirrel Nutkin, his brother Twinkleberry, and their many cousins sail to Owl Island on little rafts they have constructed of twigs. They offer resident owl Old Brown a gift and ask his permission to collect nuts on his island. 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. Every day for six days, the squirrels offer gifts to Old Brown, and every day as well, Nutkin taunts the owl with another sing-song riddle. Eventually, Nutkin annoys Old Brown once too often. The owl seizes Nutkin and tries to skin him alive. Nutkin escapes, losing most of his tail. After this, he becomes furious when he is asked riddles.