I learned it from my (Scot, living in Kansas City MO) grandmother; we sang
Little cottage in the wood
   [outline cottage with fingers]
Little man by the window stood
   [shade eyes with hand and look around]
'Long came a rabbit hopping by
   ['bunny ears' hand bouncing by]
Knocking at the door
   [fist knocking]
"Help me! Help me! Help me!" he said
   [hands together, pleading]
"'Fore the hunter shoots me dead!"
   [make gun of two hands]
"Come on in," the little man said
   ['come here' gesture]
"Warm up by the fire."
   [rub hands together as if warming]
First verse straight through; next time, first line silent, just movement, rest sung; second time, first two lines silent, until by the eighth time through, the whole thing is silent, just hand movements.