Final answer:
Toy tinker's tools were special to the rats because they provided entertainment and a sense of safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The toy tinker's tools were special to the rats because they provided entertainment and a sense of safety. As mentioned in the passage, the rats found more amusement and fear in plain furniture than most children would in a toy-store. The tools, such as the twisted grass rope and pottery, were treasures that the rats discovered and brought from darkness to light, adding excitement to their lives. Additionally, the rats could find refuge and protection in the doll's chair, making them significant to their well-being.