THE RAT RACE: The Amazing Adventures of Anton B. Stanton

One of those far-fetched but matter-of-fact little stories from England, this tells of a tiny Tom Thumb type named Anton B. Stanton, who, out of mere curiosity, follows a rat through his hole and into a rat city, where the king has him imprisoned for a spy. But a race is approaching; the winner will be king for a day; Anton gets permission to enter and starts training in his cell. During the event a rat cheat named Gruffaw beats him out but is disqualified; Anton is declared the winner and ends his ""lovely day as king of the rats"" by pardoning himself and setting off for home. An inconsequential pleasantry, in period costume.