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279. Tànk ci suuf, jaan ci suuf, fu ñu jaar daje. (2,3,6,20)<br />
The feet are on the ground, and the snake is also on the ground, so inevitably they<br />
will meet.<br />
Abdou was greatly offended by Alassane. He sought to meet him to make him accountable<br />
for his offence but Alassane continually avoided him. Abdou therefore asked a relative of<br />
Alassane's to pass on this proverb.<br />
280. Ana golo aka xastey daar-daar (3,5)<br />
Ana goloo ka xastey daar-daar (2)<br />
Ana golo ak a xaste ay daar-daar (6)<br />
What monkey would mock (another) for the calluses<br />
Bounama is in the process of disciplining his son with a stick. Bounama's father arrives<br />
and observes the scene. The child flees. The old man asks his son the reason for the<br />
correction. Bounama explains that he was sent home from school for copying several<br />
times. His father reminds Bounama that he too did the same things when he was his age,<br />
and smiling adds this proverb.<br />
281. Bóli gu dog, doktoor amu ca pexe. (9)<br />
Bóli gu dog, tiiñ nab doktoor. (2,7,12)<br />
Bóli gu dog tiiñ na ab doktoor. (11)<br />
Bóli gu dog, doktoor mënu ci dara. (7)<br />
Put gu dog tiiñ na doktoor. (9)<br />
A doctor does not have a solution for a throat which is cut.<br />
There are problems which are beyond solution. This proverb is used to rebuke the person<br />
who has allowed a situation to get to a point where it is beyond solving, and also to<br />
encourage people to avoid allowing things to get that far.<br />
282. War fasu gattax ba am fasu weñ. (2,3)<br />
Dawal fasu gattax ba am fasu weñ. (6)<br />
Ride a horse of millet stalks until you have an iron horse.<br />
Make do with what one has until one has something better.<br />
283. Goloo la gëna xam kër gu barey xaj. (2,3,20)<br />
Golo xammee na kër gu am xaj. (14)<br />
The monkey knows better than you the house with many dogs.<br />
David is a real womanizer. All the village are talking about him and all the heads of family<br />
complain about his behaviour. Moussa makes a true remark, “Why does David not<br />
frequent the home of Maissa” Everyone there exclaims and says this proverb because<br />
everyone knows that Maissa is particularly suspicious and vindictive.<br />
284. Nen du bëreek doj. (2,3,5,8,20)<br />
Nen du wuréek u doj. (19)<br />
Nen du wure ak doj. (7)<br />
An egg should not wrestle with a rock.<br />
A person should not fight against someone or something which is much stronger than he<br />
is.<br />
285. Ku aj a gën a bañ ku séenu kaw. (2,7,9,17,20)<br />
Ku aj a gën a bañ ku téen. (19)<br />
If you store your valuables under the ceiling you do not want anyone to look up.<br />
The person who done some offence does not want someone announcing what he has done<br />
to others.<br />
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