René Guillot's portrayal of the African jungle in children's books

Animals were the first to occupy the whole of the African jungle. They then imposed themselves as lords over men who came to settle later on in the jungle. Men borrowed lands from their animal sovereigns and made a pact with the animals. At first men faithfully fulfilled their contracts with the animals; but later some men failed to honour their contracts and they were punished. Throughout the animals' reign the whole African jungle was in turmoil: men ravaged and plundered the forests; animals waged wars with animals; animals threatened the lives of other animals; and animals suffered under their own laws.