This is a modern-English version of The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes, originally written by Potter, Beatrix. It has been thoroughly updated, including changes to sentence structure, words, spelling, and grammar—to ensure clarity for contemporary readers, while preserving the original spirit and nuance. If you click on a paragraph, you will see the original text that we modified, and you can toggle between the two versions.

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THE TALE OF

TIMMY TIPTOES

By

BEATRIX POTTER

Author of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," etc.

Emblem

FREDERICK WARNE & CO., INC. NEW YORK

1911

FREDERICK WARNE & Co.

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. BY
PRINCETON POLYCHROME PRESS

BINDING BY
A. HOROWITZ & SON

FOR

MANY UNKNOWN LITTLE FRIENDS,

MANY UNFAMILIAR LITTLE FRIENDS,

INCLUDING MONICA

Once upon a time there was a little fat comfortable grey squirrel, called Timmy Tiptoes. He had a nest thatched with leaves in the top of a tall tree; and he had a little squirrel wife called Goody.

Once upon a time, there was a chubby, cozy gray squirrel named Timmy Tiptoes. He had a nest made of leaves at the top of a tall tree, and he had a little squirrel wife named Goody.

Timmy Tiptoes sat out, enjoying the breeze; he whisked his tail and chuckled—"Little wife Goody, the nuts are ripe; we must lay up a store for winter and spring." Goody Tiptoes was busy pushing moss under the thatch—"The nest is so snug, we shall be sound asleep all winter." "Then we shall wake up all the thinner, when there is nothing to eat in spring-time," replied prudent Timothy.

Timmy Tiptoes sat outside, enjoying the breeze; he flicked his tail and laughed—"Little wife Goody, the nuts are ripe; we need to stock up for winter and spring." Goody Tiptoes was busy tucking moss under the roof—"The nest is so cozy, we’ll be sound asleep all winter." "Then we’ll wake up much thinner when there’s nothing to eat in the spring," replied sensible Timothy.

When Timmy and Goody Tiptoes came to the nut thicket, they found other squirrels were there already.

When Timmy and Goody Tiptoes arrived at the nut thicket, they saw that other squirrels were already there.

Timmy took off his jacket and hung it on a twig; they worked away quietly by themselves.

Timmy took off his jacket and hung it on a branch; they worked quietly on their own.

Every day they made several journeys and picked quantities of nuts. They carried them away in bags, and stored them in several hollow stumps near the tree where they had built their nest.

Every day, they made several trips and collected large amounts of nuts. They carried them in bags and stored them in various hollow stumps near the tree where they had built their nest.

When these stumps were full, they began to empty the bags into a hole high up a tree, that had belonged to a wood-pecker; the nuts rattled down—down—down inside.

When the stumps were full, they started pouring the bags into a hole high up in a tree that used to belong to a woodpecker; the nuts clattered down—down—down inside.

"How shall you ever get them out again? It is like a money-box!" said Goody.

"How are you ever going to get them out again? It’s like a piggy bank!" said Goody.

"I shall be much thinner before spring-time, my love," said Timmy Tiptoes, peeping into the hole.

"I'll be a lot thinner before spring, my love," said Timmy Tiptoes, looking into the hole.

They did collect quantities—because they did not lose them! Squirrels who bury their nuts in the ground lose more than half, because they cannot remember the place.

They did collect a lot—because they didn't lose them! Squirrels that bury their nuts in the ground lose more than half of them because they can't remember where they put them.

The most forgetful squirrel in the wood was called Silvertail. He began to dig, and he could not remember. And then he dug again and found some nuts that did not belong to him; and there was a fight. And other squirrels began to dig,—the whole wood was in commotion!

The most forgetful squirrel in the woods was named Silvertail. He started digging, but he couldn’t remember why. Then he dug again and found some nuts that weren’t his; a fight broke out. Other squirrels started to dig too—the whole woods were in chaos!

Unfortunately, just at this time a flock of little birds flew by, from bush to bush, searching for green caterpillars and spiders. There were several sorts of little birds, twittering different songs.

Unfortunately, just then, a group of small birds flew by, moving from bush to bush in search of green caterpillars and spiders. There were several types of small birds, chirping different songs.

The first one sang—"Who's bin digging-up my nuts? Who's-been-digging-up my nuts?"

The first one sang—"Who's been digging up my nuts? Who's been digging up my nuts?"

And another sang—"Little bita bread and-no-cheese! Little bit-a-bread an'-no-cheese!"

And another sang—"Little bit of bread and-no-cheese! Little bit of bread an'-no-cheese!"

The squirrels followed and listened. The first little bird flew into the bush where Timmy and Goody Tiptoes were quietly tying up their bags, and it sang—"Who's-bin digging-up my nuts? Who's been digging-up my-nuts?"

The squirrels followed and listened. The first little bird flew into the bush where Timmy and Goody Tiptoes were quietly tying up their bags, and it sang—"Who's been digging up my nuts? Who's been digging up my nuts?"

Timmy Tiptoes went on with his work without replying; indeed, the little bird did not expect an answer. It was only singing its natural song, and it meant nothing at all.

Timmy Tiptoes continued with his work without responding; in fact, the little bird didn’t expect a reply. It was just singing its usual song, and it didn’t mean anything at all.

But when the other squirrels heard that song, they rushed upon Timmy Tiptoes and cuffed and scratched him, and upset his bag of nuts. The innocent little bird which had caused all the mischief, flew away in a fright!

But when the other squirrels heard that song, they rushed at Timmy Tiptoes, scratched and shoved him, and knocked over his bag of nuts. The innocent little bird that had caused all the trouble flew away in a panic!

Timmy rolled over and over, and then turned tail and fled towards his nest, followed by a crowd of squirrels shouting—"Who's-been digging-up my-nuts?"

Timmy rolled around and then turned around and ran toward his nest, followed by a crowd of squirrels yelling—"Who's been digging up my nuts?"

They caught him and dragged him up the very same tree, where there was the little round hole, and they pushed him in. The hole was much too small for Timmy Tiptoes' figure. They squeezed him dreadfully, it was a wonder they did not break his ribs. "We will leave him here till he confesses," said Silvertail Squirrel, and he shouted into the hole—

They grabbed him and pulled him up the same tree, where there was a small round hole, and pushed him inside. The hole was way too small for Timmy Tiptoes' frame. They squeezed him really hard; it was surprising they didn't break his ribs. "We'll leave him here until he admits it," said Silvertail Squirrel, and he yelled into the hole—

"Who's-been-digging-up my-nuts?"

"Who’s been digging up my nuts?"

Timmy Tiptoes made no reply; he had tumbled down inside the tree, upon half a peck of nuts belonging to himself. He lay quite stunned and still.

Timmy Tiptoes didn't respond; he had fallen down inside the tree, landing on a half peck of nuts that were his. He lay there, feeling dazed and motionless.

Goody Tiptoes picked up the nut bags and went home. She made a cup of tea for Timmy; but he didn't come and didn't come.

Goody Tiptoes grabbed the nut bags and headed home. She brewed a cup of tea for Timmy, but he didn't show up.

Goody Tiptoes passed a lonely and unhappy night. Next morning she ventured back to the nut-bushes to look for him; but the other unkind squirrels drove her away.

Goody Tiptoes had a lonely and unhappy night. The next morning, she went back to the nut-bushes to search for him, but the other unfriendly squirrels chased her away.

She wandered all over the wood, calling—

She wandered all around the woods, calling—

"Timmy Tiptoes! Timmy Tiptoes! Oh, where is Timmy Tiptoes?"

"Timmy Tiptoes! Timmy Tiptoes! Oh, where's Timmy Tiptoes?"

In the meantime Timmy Tiptoes came to his senses. He found himself tucked up in a little moss bed, very much in the dark, feeling sore; it seemed to be under ground. Timmy coughed and groaned, because his ribs hurted him. There was a chirpy noise, and a small striped Chipmunk appeared with a night light, and hoped he felt better?

In the meantime, Timmy Tiptoes came to his senses. He found himself snuggled up in a little moss bed, completely in the dark and feeling sore; it seemed to be underground. Timmy coughed and groaned because his ribs hurt. There was a chirpy sound, and a small striped chipmunk appeared with a nightlight, asking if he felt better.

It was most kind to Timmy Tiptoes; it lent him its night-cap; and the house was full of provisions.

It was really nice to Timmy Tiptoes; it lent him its nightcap; and the house was stocked with food.

The Chipmunk explained that it had rained nuts through the top of the tree—"Besides, I found a few buried!" It laughed and chuckled when it heard Timmy's story. While Timmy was confined to bed, it 'ticed him to eat quantities—"But how shall I ever get out through that hole unless I thin myself? My wife will be anxious!" "Just another nut—or two nuts; let me crack them for you," said the Chipmunk. Timmy Tiptoes grew fatter and fatter!

The Chipmunk explained that it had rained nuts from the top of the tree—"Plus, I found a few buried!" It laughed and chuckled when it heard Timmy's story. While Timmy was stuck in bed, it encouraged him to eat more—"But how will I ever get out through that hole unless I slim down? My wife will be worried!" "Just one more nut—or two nuts; let me crack them for you," said the Chipmunk. Timmy Tiptoes kept getting fatter and fatter!

Now Goody Tiptoes had set to work again by herself. She did not put any more nuts into the woodpecker's hole, because she had always doubted how they could be got out again. She hid them under a tree root; they rattled down, down, down. Once when Goody emptied an extra big bagful, there was a decided squeak; and next time Goody brought another bagful, a little striped Chipmunk scrambled out in a hurry.

Now Goody Tiptoes was back at it by herself. She stopped putting nuts in the woodpecker’s hole because she always wondered how they would be taken out again. Instead, she hid them under a tree root; they clattered down, down, down. One time, when Goody emptied a particularly large bag, there was a noticeable squeak, and the next time she came with another bag, a little striped chipmunk quickly scrambled out.

"It is getting perfectly full-up down-stairs; the sitting-room is full, and they are rolling along the passage; and my husband, Chippy Hackee, has run away and left me. What is the explanation of these showers of nuts?"

"It’s getting really crowded downstairs; the living room is packed, and people are spilling out into the hallway; and my husband, Chippy Hackee, has run off and left me. What’s with all these nuts falling from the sky?"

"I am sure I beg your pardon; I did not know that anybody lived here," said Mrs. Goody Tiptoes; "but where is Chippy Hackee? My husband, Timmy Tiptoes, has run away too." "I know where Chippy is; a little bird told me," said Mrs. Chippy Hackee.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone lived here," said Mrs. Goody Tiptoes. "But where’s Chippy Hackee? My husband, Timmy Tiptoes, has also run away." "I know where Chippy is; a little bird told me," said Mrs. Chippy Hackee.

She led the way to the woodpecker's tree, and they listened at the hole.

She guided them to the woodpecker's tree, and they leaned in to listen at the hole.

Down below there was a noise of nut crackers, and a fat squirrel voice and a thin squirrel voice were singing together—

Down below, there was the sound of nutcrackers, and a chubby squirrel's voice and a thin squirrel's voice were singing together—

"My little old man and I fell out,
How shall we bring this matter about?
Bring it about as well as you can,
And get you gone, you little old man!"

"My dad and I had a fight,
How are we going to resolve this?
Please provide the text you would like me to modernize.
"Just leave, you old man!"

"You could squeeze in, through that little round hole," said Goody Tiptoes. "Yes, I could," said the Chipmunk, "but my husband, Chippy Hackee, bites!"

"You could squeeze through that little round hole," said Goody Tiptoes. "Yeah, I could," said the Chipmunk, "but my husband, Chippy Hackee, bites!"

Down below there was a noise of cracking nuts and nibbling; and then the fat squirrel voice and the thin squirrel voice sang—

Down below, there was the sound of cracking nuts and munching; and then the fat squirrel's voice and the thin squirrel's voice sang—

"For the diddlum day
Day diddle dum di!
Day diddle diddle dum day!"

"For the fun day"
Day fun dum di!
"Day silly silly dumb day!"

Then Goody peeped in at the hole, and called down—"Timmy Tiptoes! Oh fie, Timmy Tiptoes!" And Timmy replied, "Is that you, Goody Tiptoes? Why, certainly!"

Then Goody peeked in through the hole and called down—"Timmy Tiptoes! Oh come on, Timmy Tiptoes!" And Timmy replied, "Is that you, Goody Tiptoes? Of course!"

He came up and kissed Goody through the hole; but he was so fat that he could not get out.

He came up and kissed Goody through the hole, but he was so heavy that he couldn't get out.

Chippy Hackee was not too fat, but he did not want to come; he stayed down below and chuckled.

Chippy Hackee wasn't too fat, but he didn't want to come up; he stayed down below and laughed to himself.

And so it went on for a fortnight; till a big wind blew off the top of the tree, and opened up the hole and let in the rain.

And so it went on for two weeks; until a strong wind blew off the top of the tree, opened up the hole, and let the rain in.

Then Timmy Tiptoes came out, and went home with an umbrella.

Then Timmy Tiptoes came out and went home with an umbrella.

But Chippy Hackee continued to camp out for another week, although it was uncomfortable.

But Chippy Hackee kept camping out for another week, even though it was uncomfortable.

At last a large bear came walking through the wood. Perhaps he also was looking for nuts; he seemed to be sniffing around.

At last, a big bear came strolling through the woods. Maybe he was also searching for nuts; he appeared to be sniffing around.

Chippy Hackee went home in a hurry!

Chippy Hackee raced home!

And when Chippy Hackee got home, he found he had caught a cold in his head; and he was more uncomfortable still.

And when Chippy Hackee got home, he realized he had caught a cold; and he was feeling even more uncomfortable.

And now Timmy and Goody Tiptoes keep their nut-store fastened up with a little padlock.

And now Timmy and Goody Tiptoes keep their nut store locked up with a small padlock.

And whenever that little bird sees the Chipmunks, he sings—"Who's-been-digging-up my-nuts? Who's been digging-up my-nuts?" But nobody ever answers!

And whenever that little bird sees the Chipmunks, he sings—"Who's been digging up my nuts? Who's been digging up my nuts?" But nobody ever answers!

THE END

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