Hollow Tree Nights and Days

In Short

This classic juvenile collection follows the quirky animal inhabitants of the Deep Woods—including Mr. Possum, Mr. Coon, Mr. Crow, and Jack Rabbit—as they share humorous stories and attempt to navigate the modern world. Through lighthearted misadventures, from accidental joyrides in Mr. Man's automobile to chaotic home improvement projects, the book captures a charming, gentle world of woodland fellowship. It has endured as a beloved piece of American children's literature because of its lingering warmth, playful absurdities, and timeless, character-driven bedtime-story structure.

The Story

The narrative unfolds through a series of episodic adventures, frame-story gatherings, and tall tales told by the core residents of the Hollow Tree: Mr. Possum, Mr. Coon, and Mr. Crow, alongside their Deep Woods neighbor Jack Rabbit. Early on, the friends gather to share personal histories and whimsical lore. Mr. Rabbit recounts his nostalgic childhood school days and his youthful affection for a little rabbit named Bunty Bun. Meanwhile, other stories emerge from their pasts, such as Cousin Redfield Bear's childhood struggles trying to reach a jug of molasses with a makeshift "bear ladder," or a turtle's hair-raising experience being carried into the sky by an eagle.

Life in the Big Deep Woods is rarely quiet for long. Mr. Possum frequently finds himself in sticky situations, whether feigning deadly illness to gorge on chicken pie and dumplings or accidentally startling his friends while wrapped in a bed-sheet. Danger occasionally looms from the outside world, such as when A. Savage Bear threatens to break down their doors, prompting Mr. Crow to use clever deception to convince the predator that Mr. Possum and Mr. Coon have already passed away.

As technology intrudes on their quiet forest, the Deep Woods inhabitants observe and mimic the ways of "Mr. Man." Intrigued by human inventions, the trio secretly climbs into the back of Mr. Man's automobile, enduring a terrifying yet thrilling ride. Inspired by the experience, Mr. Possum plans and builds their own wooden car, leading to a hilarious track test where pushing the vehicle requires far more effort than it delivers in speed. Other comical misadventures follow, including Mr. Crow painting himself white with whitewash, a disastrous curiosity surrounding a box of Fourth of July fireworks that causes explosive chaos, and a lesson about the foolishness of war after observing millions of crazy bees destroy one another.

The overarching narrative culminates in a grand social event for the entire Deep Woods community: the lavish wedding of Jack Rabbit and Miss Meadows, a gentle former house pet who escaped to the countryside. As the forest animals gather in their finest attire to celebrate, a giant flying-machine suddenly passes overhead—a final marvel from Mr. Man's world. Realizing it poses no threat, the animals march in procession to Jack Rabbit's house, singing the Hollow Tree song in joyful celebration.

How It Unfolds

Memories of youth Mr. Rabbit reminisces about his early school days carrying books for Bunty Bun, writing her heartfelt poems until a flower-garden project brought unexpected troubles.

Feigning recovery Ill in bed, Mr. Possum sneaks out to devour an entire pot of chicken and dumplings before scaring Mr. Coon and Mr. Crow, who were busy trying on his clothes in anticipation of his death.

An eagle's flight A turtle recounts how he convinced an eagle to lift him into the air to escape a snake, foolishly offering to take flying lessons before landing safely in a soft pile of hay.

Stolen joyrides Seeking excitement, the Hollow Tree friends sneak into Mr. Man's automobile, holding their breath in terror as the roaring engine carries them on an unexpected road trip.

The home-made car Proud of their engineering, Mr. Possum and his friends construct their own wooden vehicle, but pushing it down the race track proves far more exhausting than riding in it.

Tricking the bear When A. Savage Bear comes looking for a meal, Mr. Crow convinces him that Mr. Possum died of an oversized appetite, keeping the locked door safe from the seven-hundred-pound intruder.

The whitewash disaster Mr. Crow coats his entire body in white lime to change his complexion, scaring his friends before inspiring a grand, messy plan to whitewash the entire Hollow Tree.

Fireworks and flying machines After a curiosity-driven mishap with Mr. Man's fireworks box causes a wild explosion of Roman candles, the Deep Woods community later gathers to celebrate Jack Rabbit's wedding just as a giant flying-machine soars overhead.

The People

Mr. Possum Always driven by his immense appetite and a knack for self-preservation, Mr. Possum constantly scheme to get extra food or avoid effort. Despite his cowardice when facing danger like A. Savage Bear, his grand plans—such as designing a home-made automobile—make him a central figure of community pride.

Mr. Crow As the resident housekeeper and resourceful storyteller of the Hollow Tree, Mr. Crow keeps the household running while frequently getting caught up in dramatic experiments. Whether fending off dangerous intruders with quick-witted lies or painting himself white with lime, he remains fiercely loyal to his friends.

Mr. Coon A sensible yet opportunistic companion, Mr. Coon shares the Hollow Tree with Possum and Crow. Though quick to try on a sick neighbor's coat when he thinks they won't recover, he eagerly pitches in during group adventures and stays by his roommates through every bizarre event.

Jack Rabbit Smart, stylish, and romantic, Jack Rabbit is an esteemed author and elder statesman in the Deep Woods. From reciting childhood poetry about his first love to hosting the grandest wedding the forest has ever seen, he brings elegance and intellect to the group.

In Its Own Voice

"Then I thanked him for having saved me from Old Man Moccasin, and said how kind he was, and told him how my folks had always told us what a great bird Mr. Eagle was..."

A turtle describes his polite conversation with a flying predator while suspended mid-air above the marsh meadows.

"The idea that she, a Glenwood, should live to see a hired man sitting up to a child of hers, especially one who was a Glenwood herself, resembling the family as she did..."

An aunt expresses her dramatic outrage during a family feud over a runaway romance.

"I made the stars myself--not all of them, of course, but a good many of them."

Mr. Crow confidently opens his outlandish star story by taking personal credit for the celestial bodies in the night sky.

What It's Really About

Beneath its cozy animal fables, the book explores the quiet tension between traditional rural life and the rapid march of modern innovation. As Mr. Man's automobiles, fireworks, and flying machines intrude upon the Deep Woods, the animals react with a mix of wonder, terror, and naive imitation. The stories highlight the absurdity of human vanity and social posturing, gently poking fun at pretension, gluttony, and panic. Ultimately, the narrative celebrates community, storytelling, and mutual support, demonstrating how shared tales and simple fellowship help a small group navigate an ever-changing, unpredictable world.

Why Read It Today

This collection offers a delightful retreat for readers who appreciate classic American folklore, gentle humor, and nostalgic bedtime storytelling. Reading it feels like sitting by a warm hearth listening to old tall tales, where character flaws are met with good-natured chuckles rather than harsh judgment. Albert Bigelow Paine's prose carries an easy, rhythmic cadence that makes it exceptional for reading aloud to younger audiences.

Modern readers should note that the text reflects its early twentieth-century origins, featuring occasional rustic dialect, regional phrasing, and leisurely paced storytelling that favors episodic charm over a single tightly wound plot. The book does not rush; it invites the reader to linger in the Deep Woods and enjoy the eccentric personalities of its furry cast. Anyone who loves classic animal fables like The Wind in the Willows or the Uncle Remus tales will find a charming, endearing treasure in this continuing saga of the Hollow Tree family.

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