The tale of Squirrel Nutkin

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is a children's story written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, first published by Frederick Warne in 1903. As the story itself says, it is "a Tale about a tail - a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel" whose name is Nutkin.

Squirrel Nutkin goes along with a group of squirrels to Owl Island to gather nuts. However, while all the other squirrels are busy collecting nuts, Nutkin is often playing or making mischief. This occurs over the course of six days. Each time they arrive, the other squirrels present the island's resident owl, Old Brown, with gifts to earn his permission to gather nuts. Each time as well, Nutkin dances and taunts the owl with sing-song riddles. Eventually, Nutkin annoys Old Brown too many times. The owl captures Nutkin and tries to skin him alive. Nutkin escapes, but not without losing most of his tail. (From Wikipedia)