Squirrel Nutkin's brother Twinkleberry, Nutkin and their many cousins sail to Owl Island. They made a boat of twigs. They offer the owl Old Brown gifts. They ask his permission to collect nuts on his island. Old Brown lets the squirrels pick nuts. Squirrel Nutkin dances and sings silly riddles to the owl, every day. Finally Nutkin makes the Old Brown mad. The owl catches Nutkin. Nutkin escapes, but loses most of his tail. After this he becomes furious when he is asked riddles.