Siku moja, mfanyabiashara mashuhuri alitafuta msaidizi. Alipokea maombi na CV za watu wengi sana, lakini wawili tu walikidhi vigezo: Amina na Baraka. Ili kuamua kati yao, aliwaita wote wawili, na akawaalika waje kwaajili ya mahojiano ya ajira, kesho yake asubuhi. "Saa tatu kamili -- vaa mavazi ya kazi, na usichelewe!" Akawaonya.

Kesho yake Ali aliwahi kuamka, akavaa suti yake nzuri, na alipanda basi kijijini kwake saa 2. "Bora kinga kuliko tiba" alifikiria. Njiani kuelekea mjini, basi ilianza kutoa moshi. Abira wote walishuka na waliachwa porini. Hapo hapo mvua ilianza kunyesha. Kila basi lililompita, Ali akaomba nafasi, lakini, kutokana na hali ya hewa, mabasi yote yalikuwa yameshajaa. Kwa hivyo ikabidi atembee kwa miguu. Ilipotimia saa tatu, bado Ali alikuwa mbali na mji, na mvua ikawa kali zaidi na zaidi. "Lazima niendelee" akajiambia, "Bora kuchelewa kuliko kukosa kabisa."

Wakati huohuo mjini, Baraka aliamka ghorofani kwake, na akashtuka ghafla akiona jua lilikuwa limeshafika mbali angani. "Aisee! Niliweka alarm! Simu yangu ina shida gani sasa?" Alitazama saa ukutani: Saa tatu kamili. "Bora niache tu. Hata nikiondoka saivi, bado nitachelewa kufika. Si alisema usichelewe? Hatamwajiri aliyechelewa." Kwa hivyo Baraka, akiwa na huzuni, akalala tena.

Saa nne na nusu, hatimaye, Ali alifika ofisini kwa mfanyabiashara na kugonga mlango, suti yake ikichuruzika maji na matope sakafuni. Mfanyabiashara akajibu. "Si nilikwambia vaa mavazi yanayofaa na usichelewe? Sasa umechelewa zaidi ya saa limoja na mavazi yako yamechafuka. Niambie nitawezaje kukuajiri baada ya hapo?" Kisha Ali akaeleza yote yaliyomtokea. Mfanyabishara akamjibu "Nimejifunza mengi kuhusu wewe kutoka kwa hadithi yako Ali. Ukiwa na kusudi kichwani, utafanya kazi kwa bidii, na pale unapokutana na vikwazo hukati tamaa, hata kama umechelewa. Nakwambia, wewe ndiye wa kwanza kufika leo. Mwingine alikosa kabisa. Nitakuajiri wewe."

Mafanikio makubwa huanza na makosa mengi, lakini baada ya muda, uvumilivu na ustahilimilu huleta matunda. Kukosa ni uanadamu, lakini Mungu ni mvumilivu sana kwetu. Anatupa nafasi nyingi za kujifunza na kujaribu tena, ilimradi tusikate tamaa.

Wengine wanasema methali ya "Better late than never never" inatoka kwa kitabu cha The Canterbury Tales, kilichoandikwa na Chaucer miaka ya 1390.

Wengine wanasema chimbuko la kweli ni kitabu cha Historia ya Roma, kilichoandikwa na Livy takriban mwaka wa 20 KK.

Methali ya Kiingereza inayoendana ni:

 Methali ya Kiingereza inayopinga:

Methali ya Kihindi: 

by Nankya Sauda 🇺🇬
🏆 Proverb Essay Contest 
🥇 First Place Winner

Ever taken time to wonder why the elderly will always live to be wiser than the young? Have you ever taken time to meditate on where your origin sprouts from? If not, it is high time you started looking for your origin because it is important for one to know their roots. 

 Over time, you take the burden to unveil the nature of famous geniuses and their personalities, you will come to realize that they are celebrated introverts.  It is important that one takes off some time their busy schedule and read about some of the top celebrated geniuses like Albert Einstein , the famous scientist from whom we derive one of the most educative quotes;

This highlights that time spent alone does not only provide one with space for self-reflection but also gives space to someone to use their mind creatively. Great talkers are great are great lawyers they say, and we have seen this happening during our daily routine where people make empty promises, make false declarations to please those around them but may never take time off to do something in a bid to realize their words. Because of that, many have ended up losing trust in these so called great talkers.

     On the other hand however, silent people have always blown our minds with their actions. Their moves are always calculated, their ambitions clear and their actions intentional. Romantic lovers in a relationship are always spicing up their relationships with new inventions to keep their love blooming. Those that have employed or stayed around introverts can justify that staying around these people has been one of the greatest achievements in their lives, for these have always worked  smarter, had critical thinking sessions in their alone time and eventually produced the best results and the biggest promotions.

     Literally, we can loosely define proverbs as traditional sayings that are particular to a particular country. They are short and wise sayings that usually offer advice as well as boost an idea in relation to the day to day life.  In fact, for one to have a clear and elaborate understanding of cultural norms and practices, it is wise that they always make a reference to proverbs since they can have an elaborate meaning beneath them.

     Historically, the proverb “STILL WATER RUNS DEEP” draws its origin from the ancient times in Latin. It became popular after Shakespeare used it in his play Henry vi in 1590. He said;

We realize that, in some instances the most dangerous people with the wickedest hearts have always calculated their moves and taken action at a time everyone least expects them to. That is why betrayals come from people we least expect them from. It is therefore crucial for someone to not only take what the eyes meet but also take caution especially from people who do not retaliate immediately after they have been provoked or confronted.
     Albert Einstein despite his introverted character, he his famously known for devising his theory of relativity which revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity and the universe.

     Conclusively, it is very important  not to draw conclusions just because looks are deceptive and there is always more to know and discover than the eyes can see.

Kuna vitu ambavyo huwezi kufanya peke yako. Tango ni mchezo (densi) ya watu wawili, kwa hivyo huwezi kucheza tango peke yako.

Methali hii inatoka wimbo ulioimbwa 1952, It Takes Two to Tango:

- It Takes Two to Tango (1952, Al Hoffman, Dick Manning na Pearl Bailey) Ona vyanzo/sources ili kusikiliza wimbo huu!

Methali hii ina maana nyingi tofauti ambazo unaweza kutekeleza katika mahusiano na maisha yako ya kila siku. Mambo mengi huhitaji watu zaidi ya mmoja: Wawili wanatakiwa ili kushirikiana, kufanya biashara ama kupigana. Ukitaka kucheza na mtu ambaye hataki kucheza na wewe, bora kumtafuta mchezaji mwengine.. Vivyo hivyo, ukiwa kwenye mgogoro au magomvi, itabidi ufikirie jinsi tabia yako inavyoweza kuchangia katika kuendeleza shida. katika dance, lengo si kuwa mkamilifu, bali ni kuendana na mwenzako na kufurahia pamoja.
Methali zinazofanana kutoka Afrika: 
Kimisri (Kiarabu): 

Kiswahili:

by Magreth Lazaro Mafie 🇹🇿
🏆 Proverb Essay Contest 
🥉 Third Place Winner
(English translation from Kiswahili)

How many times have you heard “Mchumia juani hulia kivulini” (One who works in the sun, eats in the shade). This is a Swahili (Bantu) proverb meant to encourage people in their everyday activities, to have faith that there will be a day when they will enjoy the fruits of their work.

This proverb gives people strength, diligence, heart, courage, hope and skill in working. The worker believes that hard work brings a good harvest that will allow him to relax in the shade as he eats the fruits of his labor. 

The following poem shows “One who works in the sun” in their daily responsibilities.

Once there was a farmer. He spent his whole life in agriculture. Thus his times for pleasure were few. People in his village called him a skilled farmer. He built a house by selling part of his crops, he educated his children through farming.

This farmer was a diligent man, he always learned the principles of being a good farmer, so as time went by, he harvested many crops from his fields. Many people were really amazed to see the big changes in his family. He made many investments in his village, the farms, houses, and shops, and many livestock came from his farm.

Many people came to take wisdom from the skilled farmer. He always told them "One who works in the sun, eats in the shade. The hoe has given me respect in the village, me and my family. My life now is going on a path of certainty, I am in the shade, enjoying the fruits of my labor in the sun. I, the son of that skilled farmer, am proud of my upbringing, and his responsibility, because work in the sun today has made us rest and eat in the shade. The true meaning of “he who works in the sun” can be seen in actions. Your diligence is your sun and the shade is the fruit of your diligence.

This story is complemented by the story of "Mabala the Farmer" by Richard S. Mabala (1989). Mabala was a port worker then he was demoted, so he chose to return to the village of Morogoro. Mabala was careless, drunk and obstinate. Mabala went to the farm with a gallon of booze, he drank it and went to sleep, when he woke up, he called out to his wife but there was no answer except the sound of the hoe tik-tok, tik-tok.

Mabala was obstinate, he watered the fields with sugar, thinking it was fertilizer, but in the end he changed to become a skilled farmer, becoming “one who works” in the sun so that his family could eat in the shade. Do you feel that Mabala is “one who works in the sun”? In the family or in the community, what’s your image of a skilled farmer?

In conclusion, this story on the proverb "Work in the sun, eat in the shade" shows us a good vision in everything we do in our daily lives. Also proverbs like "Subira yavuta kheri” (Patience brings blessings), "Mgaa na Upwa hali wali mkavu” (He who combs the beach at low tide doesn’t eat dry rice) all have similar themes; they exist to give the community strength and hope each task undertaken to pursue their goals.