How Mr. Rabbit Lost his Tail: Hollow Tree Stories

In Short

This charming collection of interconnected fables centers on the inhabitants of the Hollow Tree: a clever raccoon, a sleepy opossum, and a culinary-minded crow. Together with their friends—including a dog who bridges the gap between the wild woods and the world of human invention—they spend cold nights recounting legendary adventures. The book endures because of its gentle humor, its cozy depiction of communal living, and the imaginative way it explains natural phenomena through the exaggerated, oral traditions of the forest creatures themselves.

The Story

The narrative framing is a cozy domestic scene: a Story Teller sits by a fire, recounting the adventures of the Deep Woods people for an attentive child. The central arc begins when Mr. Dog, who lives with "Mr. Man," decides to bring holiday cheer to his wild friends. He dons a makeshift Santa Claus suit, complete with borrowed chickens and tobacco, to surprise the ‘Coon, ‘Possum, and Old Black Crow. Though he falls asleep in a rocking chair before they wake, the resulting discovery of the gifts cements a bond of mutual affection and shared meals that lasts through the winter.

As the snow piles up outside, the focus shifts to the lore of the woods. The animals gather to discuss the mysteries of the outside world, such as the nature of a "menagerie." Mr. Dog recounts his harrowing, slapstick encounter with a circus, narrowly escaping a "tame" hyena and an elephant. This leads Mr. ‘Coon to share his own near-capture, detailing how he was once tied to a tree by Mr. Man and Mr. Dog. Through quick thinking, he used his storytelling prowess to distract his captor, eventually tricking Mr. Dog into untying him so he could demonstrate a "dance" to alleviate a fake pain, leading to his dramatic escape.

The final, climactic stories delve into the ancestral history of the rabbit family. Mr. Rabbit explains the "true" version of the famous race between his twenty-seventh great-grandfather and a tortoise. It turns out the hare was simply overconfident and mocking, and in a final attempt to shed the slow-moving tortoise, he accidentally lost his long, plumy tail. Following the humiliation, the entire rabbit family adopted the "cotton-tailed" look to avoid the wrath of King Lion, who had developed a taste for long-tailed prey. The resolution brings a startling revelation: Mr. Turtle, the group’s quiet elder, confirms he is the very same tortoise from that legendary race. To prove his story, he reveals an inscription carved into his own shell from the year 1649. The collection concludes in the quiet, firelit comfort of the hollow tree, as the group rests in the contentment of their shared, long-standing history.

How It Unfolds

The festive surprise Mr. Dog prepares for Christmas by dressing as Santa Claus to fill the stockings of his friends in the hollow tree. His exhaustion gets the better of him, and he falls asleep, only to be discovered and celebrated by the trio upon their waking.

A debate on wild places The animal friends discuss what a "menagerie" might be, leading to a lively philosophical argument. Mr. Dog clarifies the confusion by detailing his terrifying and humorous experience inside a circus tent.

A narrow escape Mr. ‘Coon shares the story of his youth, when he was trapped by Mr. Man and Mr. Dog near the edge of the world. He manages to win his freedom by telling tall tales that convince Mr. Dog to untie him.

The race remembered Mr. Rabbit finally reveals the truth behind his family’s appearance, recounting how a race against a tortoise ended in the accidental loss of his ancestor's tail. The story moves from a competitive struggle to a desperate act of communal survival.

The living history Mr. Turtle provides the ultimate validation of the rabbit legend by displaying the date carved into his shell. The book ends with the friends settling into a peaceful slumber, united by the ancient truth they have uncovered.

The People

Mr. Dog serves as the essential intermediary between the world of humans and the wild. He is well-meaning, generous, and prone to dramatic exaggeration, eventually finding deep friendship with the wild animals. Mr. ‘Coon is the crafty, articulate survivor of the group, whose quick wit allows him to navigate life-threatening situations with humor rather than force. Mr. ‘Possum provides the group's comic relief, characterized by his love of sleep and food, often acting as a grounding presence during the more heated storytelling sessions. Mr. Crow is the domestic heart of the hollow tree, recognized as the group's finest cook and a pragmatic leader who values order. Finally, Mr. Turtle is the group’s ancient, mysterious elder. His presence shifts from that of a quiet companion to a legendary figure, as he reveals he is a living witness to history, possessing a perspective that spans centuries.

In Its Own Voice

"He knew just how Santa Claus looked, 'cause he'd seen lots of his pictures at Mr. Man's house, and he thought it would be great fun to dress up that way and take a bag of presents to the Hollow Tree while they were all asleep and fill up the stockings of the 'Coon and 'Possum and the Old Black Crow."

Mr. Dog initiates the group's transformation from acquaintances to a close-knit Christmas family.

"He saw my twenty-seventh great-grandfather sailing along, just touching the highest points, with something that looked like an old rusty washpan tied to his tail."

Mr. Rabbit describes the absurd visual of his ancestor racing with a tortoise clamped firmly to his fur.

"And there, sure enough, carved right in Mr. Turtle's shell, were the words: BEAT MR. HARE FOOT RACE JUNE 10, 1649"

The group confirms that the ancient legend is indeed a true story, solidifying Mr. Turtle’s status as a keeper of history.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an exploration of how stories define a community. The animals do not merely live together; they curate a shared identity by constantly reinterpreting their past. The work explores the tension between the "civilized" world of Mr. Man—represented by his tools, his guns, and his menageries—and the "Deep Woods," where independence and wits are the only currency. It asks how creatures survive in a world where they are viewed as playthings or prey, ultimately arguing that the capacity for humor and the preservation of history are the best defenses against a harsh and often predatory reality.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the gentle, rhythmic cadence of classic children’s literature will find much to love here. The book captures the feeling of a cold winter night spent indoors, where the wind howls outside while friends share food and tall tales. It is a warm, evocative experience, perfect for those who appreciate stories about companionship, aging, and the importance of having a "home base" like the Hollow Tree.

However, a modern reader should be prepared for the book's specific heritage. It is a product of its era, featuring a distinct, informal dialect in the dialogue that reflects the rural storytelling style of the early 1900s. There are also period-specific attitudes regarding the natural world—such as hunting and the dominion of "Mr. Man"—that may strike contemporary readers as dated. The pacing is deliberate and leisurely, designed for reading aloud in installments rather than consumption in a single sitting. If you are looking for high-octane plot, you may find the circuitous, conversational style challenging. But if you value a sense of place and the comfort of a well-told story shared among friends, the inhabitants of the Hollow Tree offer a deeply rewarding, if nostalgic, retreat from the modern world.