In this comic masterpiece from the writer of The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kippling. The book tells of four friends who team up with a carnival master to exact revenge on a quibbling bureaucrat, accidentally creating an international obsession spiraling beyond their control. Surreal, hilarious, and quintessentially English, it is one of Kipling's least-known works that indeed deserve much attention.

Rudyard Kipling, born on December 30, 1865, in Bombay, India, was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story, and his children's books are enduring classics of children's literature. Kipling is best known for his works of fiction, including 'The Jungle Book' (a collection of stories which includes 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'), 'Kim' (a tale of adventure), and many short stories, including 'The Man Who Would Be King.' His poetry, often reflective of his experiences in India, is characterized by its rhythmic and often lyrical quality. Notably, his poem 'If—' remains a popular classic. Kipling's broad literary canvas also encapsulated satirical works, one of which is the satirical short story 'The Village That Voted the Earth Was Flat.' His acute sense of irony and engagement with colonial themes have made his work both controversial and influential. Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was the first English-language writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. His legacy endures through the continued appreciation of his extensive body of work. Kipling's style, characterized by a nuanced understanding of human nature and a distinctive narrative voice, has left an indelible mark on English literature. He passed away on January 18, 1936, but his works continue to be read and studied for their literary merit and historical insight.