"The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin" is a story about a mischievous squirrel named Nutkin who, along with his brother Twinkleberry and cousins, ventures to Owl Island to gather nuts from Old Brown the owl. While the others offer gifts and polite requests, Nutkin is rude and disrespectful, constantly teasing Old Brown with riddles. His impertinence eventually leads to his capture. Nutkin escapes, but loses his tail in the process. The story highlights the importance of respect, manners, and the consequences of being impolite.