Making Up with Mr. Dog: Hollow Tree Stories

In Short

This episodic woodland fable gathers seven linked stories centered on the Deep Woods community of the Big Hollow Tree, where the 'Coon, the 'Possum, and the Old Black Crow make their home. Together with neighbors like Jack Rabbit, Mr. Squirrel, and the formidable Mr. Dog, they launch a ill-fated boarding house, embark on chaotic fishing trips, host a poetry society, and test whether the world is truly round. The book's charm endures through its warm, low-stakes humor, gentle trickster dynamics, and affectionate portrayal of neighborly rivalries resolved over full dinner tables and shared jokes.

The Story

Life in the Deep Woods centers around a massive Hollow Tree shared by three bachelor friends: the 'Coon, the 'Possum, and the Old Black Crow. Spotting unused space above their rooms, they decide to launch a boarding house called The Hollow Tree Inn. Neighbors quickly fill the rooms: Mr. Squirrel, Mr. Robin, Mr. Turtle, and Jack Rabbit. However, trouble arrives in the form of Mr. Dog. Hungry for a room and unwanted by the hosts, Mr. Dog gets his teeth tangled in a trunk strap while jumping for a window, remaining suspended until he promises to leave them in peace. Though the inn fills up, feeding the guests proves disastrous. Mr. Crow’s cooking falls short, and after a series of mealtime complaints, the trio pivot to a simpler business model: renting furnished rooms only while letting guests provide their own meals.

Outdoors, the forest residents contend with unexpected adventures. On a June fishing excursion, Jack Rabbit, the 'Coon, and the 'Possum hook a giant fish that drags their boat across the lake. Mr. Dog attempts to intercept the catch at the shoreline, only to be thoroughly thrashed by the thrashing fish while the others cheer safely from a hilltop. Later, when the animals gather to trade stories, Jack Rabbit explains the origin of colored Easter eggs, recalling how an old farm hen hid her eggs in a rabbit family’s bed, leading the young rabbits to stain them with colorful flower juices.

Tensions with Mr. Dog ease when the animals form the Hollow Tree Poetry Club. Anxious to participate despite past grudges, Mr. Dog sits outside on a limb pulled up by a rope, listening to poems by Jack Rabbit, Mr. 'Possum, Mr. Robin, Mr. Squirrel, Mr. Turtle, and Mr. 'Coon. Touched by the literary evening, the group welcomes Mr. Dog inside to feast, forging a lasting peace.

Unwelcome visitors still disrupt the woods, as when Mr. Polecat pays a morning call to Jack Rabbit. Desperate to avoid Mr. Polecat's potent defense spray, Jack Rabbit suffers through a tense visit until Mr. Dog bursts in, only to flee instantly when Mr. Polecat gets excited. The aftermath leaves Jack Rabbit's house unlivable for weeks, forcing him to lodge at the Hollow Tree. In another domestic tale, Mr. 'Possum relates the story of his Uncle Silas, whose wife, Aunt Melissy, sent him to the city to acquire urban manners—a venture that ended in comedic failure and a garden worked out in penance. Finally, inspired by Mr. Dog's report from Mr. Man that the earth is round, the 'Coon, the 'Possum, and the Crow set off on an April morning to follow Spring around the world. By turning right at three landmarks suggested by clever neighbors, they complete a wide circle and arrive happily back at their own front door, convinced they have successfully circled the globe.

How It Unfolds

The inn opens its doors Rummaging through their spacious home, the 'Coon, the 'Possum, and the Old Black Crow convert their extra room into a boarding house, quickly attracting local neighbors. When Mr. Dog tries to force his way in, he gets stuck in a trunk strap and is forced to negotiate his release.

A meal plan revision Cooking for picky boarders leads to quick dissatisfaction among the guests, prompting the three hosts to abandon meal service entirely. They alter their sign to offer furnished rooms only, which pleases everyone and settles the household routine.

An unruly catch on the lake During a calm morning fishing trip, Jack Rabbit and his companions hook a massive fish that haA mischievous dog, a scheming polecat, and three forest roommates share a tree trunk, a fishing boat, and a few poems.

In Short

Three forest companions—a Coon, a Possum, and an Old Black Crow—share a home in a large tree and decide to run a boarding house. Their enterprise quickly runs into trouble thanks to picky eaters and a hound named Mr. Dog. Through fishing trips, poetic gatherings, and unexpected visitors like Mr. Polecat, the roommates learn to navigate life in the Deep Woods. Albert Bigelow Paine's gentle, episodic humor has kept this classic world alive for generations of readers.

The Story

The story opens when three friends—Mr. 'Coon, Mr. 'Possum, and Old Black Crow—discover unused space in their shared tree trunk. Realizing they have room to spare, they establish the Hollow Tree Inn, offering room and board to their forest neighbors. Their first guests include Mr. Squirrel, Mr. Robin, and Mr. Turtle. However, trouble arrives when Mr. Dog attempts to secure a room. The trio rejects him, prompting Mr. Dog to try to break in by jumping for a hanging trunk strap. His teeth catch in the leather buckle, leaving him suspended in mid-air to the amusement of the onlookers, who only let him down after he promises to leave their business alone.

The inn's boarders prove difficult to feed, complaining about salt mackerel and simple fare. To avoid cooking disasters, the hosts change their sign to read "Furnished Rooms Only," leaving guests to find their own food while sharing the space peacefully.

Outside the inn, life brings further adventures. On a June morning, Mr. Jack Rabbit gathers the group for a fishing excursion. When Mr. 'Coon hooks a massive fish, the struggle drags their boat toward the shore where Mr. Dog waits to seize the catch. Mr. Dog leaps into the shallow water, but the thrashing fish beats him bruised and wet, allowing the friends to escape to a hillside where they tease him relentlessly. Later, Jack Rabbit explains the origin of Easter eggs, recalling how an old hen laid eggs in a rabbit nest, which the rabbit children colored with flower juices.

Seeking better relations, the Deep Woods residents form the Hollow Tree Poetry Club. Even Mr. Dog, eager to make peace, attends while hoisted up to a tree limb outside the window to listen safely. His earnest poem wins over the members, and they invite him inside for a feast, establishing a long-lasting friendship.

Unusual visitors continue to disrupt the quiet woods. When Mr. Polecat visits Jack Rabbit, his overwhelming scent drives everyone away. To escape the odor, Jack Rabbit stays with the Hollow Tree crew for a week, blaming them for referring Mr. Polecat to his house. Finally, inspired by Jack Rabbit's poetry and a statement from Mr. Man, the three roommates set out to test if the earth is round. By turning right at key landmarks throughout the day, they walk in a complete circle and arrive back at their own doorstep by evening, convinced they have successfully journeyed around the world.

How It Unfolds

The inn opens for business After discovering empty space above their rooms in the tree trunk, the three roommates decide to open a boarding house for local animals. They quickly attract guests like Mr. Squirrel, Mr. Robin, and Mr. Turtle, but run into an immediate obstacle when Mr. Dog demands a room.

An unwanted guest gets stuck When Mr. Dog tries to jump up and grab a trunk being hoisted into the inn, his teeth snag on a strap buckle. Trapped hanging off the ground, he is forced to promise he will leave the inn and its guests alone before the hosts lower him down.

Changing the business plan The hosts struggle to cook meals that satisfy their guests, nearly leading to a fight among themselves when Mr. Turtle turns up his nose at salt mackerel. Old Black Crow saves the enterprise by suggesting they rent furnished rooms only and let guests supply their own meals.

A disastrous fishing trip Jack Rabbit invites the roommates on a morning fishing trip that turns chaotic when a giant fish drags their boat across the lake. Mr. Dog tries to capture the fish as it reaches the shore, but the creature thrashes him thoroughly, giving the animals a chance to escape and laugh at his defeat.

Poetry brings peace Jack Rabbit forms a poetry club, prompting Mr. Dog to write a poem in hopes of ending his feud with the forest animals. Sitting outside on a hoisted limb, Mr. Dog recites his verse, moves his listeners to tears, and earns a seat at the supper table as a true friend.

An unwelcome morning visitor Mr. Polecat stops by Jack Rabbit's house, forcing the host to endure his overwhelming scent while trying to avoid conflict. When Mr. Dog approaches, the scent sends him running for home, leaving Jack Rabbit to vacate his own house for over a week to let it air out.

Walking around the world Curious about Mr. Man's claim that the earth is round, the three roommates set off on an April morning to follow Spring. By taking three right turns at specific landmarks along their path, they walk in a circle and return to the Hollow Tree, celebrating their successful journey.

The People

Mr. 'Coon He is an opportunistic and somewhat short-tempered roommate who loves good food and quick solutions. He co-manages the Hollow Tree Inn, though he quickly grows frustrated when meal preparations go awry. His main goal is living comfortably alongside his friends, though he is easily drawn into arguments when plans fail. By the end, he remains a loyal companion who enjoys quiet talks and shared meals with his neighbors.

Mr. 'Possum He is a relaxed, food-loving animal who prefers ease over hard work. He approaches life with humor and a healthy fear of domestic trouble, choosing single life after observing his relatives' complicated household dynamics. Though prone to laziness, he joins in every adventure, whether riding along on a runaway fishing boat or walking around the forest.

Old Black Crow He is the practical thinker and mediator of the household. Whenever arguments break out or business plans collapse, he comes up with sensible compromises, such as shifting the inn to room-only rentals or launching the poetry club. His calm problem-solving keeps the group together through every crisis.

Jack Rabbit He is an energetic, stylish, and self-important poet who takes great pride in his literary talents. He loves fishing and writing verse, eagerly taking charge of the poetry club to share his work. Despite his vanity, he remains a key figure in the community, hosting events and offering clever explanations for forest traditions.

Mr. Dog He begins as an aggressive outsider who tries to bully his way into the Hollow Tree Inn. After several humiliating defeats in the water and on the trail, he seeks acceptance through art, writing a poem that earns him the friendship of the forest dwellers.

In Its Own Voice

"Hotels are never too full for one more, either," said Mr. Dog. "If you don't let me come in I think I'll wait around here and make a vacancy."

Mr. Dog makes a aggressive demand for a room at the newly opened Hollow Tree Inn.

"There was quite a hole in the ground there, and they had a cozy home in it, and a soft bed for their little folk."

Jack Rabbit describes the historic home of his ancestors while explaining how colored eggs came to be.

"The doors will not sag and the roof will not crack of the house that I carry about on your back."

Mr. Turtle recites a verse about his portable home during a meeting of the Hollow Tree Poetry Club.

What It's Really About

Beneath its simple animal adventures, the book explores how rivalries yield to community through creative expression and shared humor. The ongoing friction between the forest dwellers and Mr. Dog reflects basic human anxieties about outsiders and territorial boundaries. When physical strength fails to resolve these disputes, art and social rituals—such as sharing a poem or dining together—provide a bridge. The story suggests that hospitality requires flexibility, as seen when the hosts adapt their inn's business model to preserve their peace of mind. Ultimately, the narrative celebrates the comfort of home, demonstrating that no matter how far one wanders or what troubles arise, returning to a familiar circle of friends remains the greatest reward.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers looking for gentle, classic storytelling will find a charming reflection of early twentieth-century children's literature in these pages. The episodic nature of the tales makes them easy to read in short sittings, offering a nostalgic look at anthropomorphic animal fiction that predates many modern tropes. The humor is observational and mild, relying on character quirks rather than fast-paced action.

Readers should be aware that the book contains dated stylistic elements, including occasional rural dialect, traditional gender role references, and older colloquial phrasing. The prose reflects the period in which it was written, featuring relaxed sentence structures and repetitive story setups suited for bedtime reading. Those who appreciate historic children's series like Thornton Burgess's Old Mother West Wind will enjoy the quiet warmth, clever dialogue, and enduring camaraderie of the Deep Woods community.