It is called 'odokemono' (jokers), and examples such as 'Kyoku Nezumi' (Musical Mice) 'Tanishi' (Mud Snail) and 'Tanuki' (Raccoon Dog) have contents that feature animals that use their wits to overcome obstacles.
これは「おどけ物者」ともよばれ、「曲ねずみ」「タニシ」「タヌキ」などの動物が主人公で智恵を絞って難を逃れる内容のものがある。