# Squirrel Nutkin — Short Fiction character guide

> Squirrel Nutkin in Short Fiction by Beatrix Potter.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Nutkin

**First appearance:** 0001-the-tale-of-squirrel-nutkin

## Snapshot

A cheeky red squirrel who brings no present to Old Brown, sings riddles instead of gathering nuts, and finally jumps onto the owl's head.

## Who they are

Nutkin is one of the squirrels who paddle to Owl Island each day to fill their sacks with nuts, but while his brothers and cousins offer fat minnows, beetles, and honey, he offers only impertinent rhymes. Old Brown takes no interest in riddles, yet Nutkin grows bolder with every visit, dancing and singing until he leaps onto the owl's head. His rudeness is the engine of the tale: the other squirrels gather and give, while Nutkin tests how much insolence a silent owl will bear.

## In the story

### [The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_7_se/chapters/the-tale-of-squirrel-nutkin)

The impertinent protagonist who taunts Old Brown with riddles and loses his tail.

### [The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_7_se/chapters/the-tale-of-mrs-tiggy-winkle)

His red tailcoat with no tail is mentioned among the laundry.

### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_7_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations)

Shown harvesting hazelnuts, taunting Old Brown, and participating in squirrel activities.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_7_se/characters/squirrel_nutkin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_7_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_7_se/characters