Kashiri kushaya besu hakanzi kanyana; Dhimba kushaya besu usati inyana; Timba kushaya besu hanzi kajinda

Usashora munhu uchitarisa chimiro chake nekuti chimiro chemunhu handiko kufunga kana hunhu hwake. Munhu haafaniri kuremekedza kana kushora pamusana pomuviri wemunhu nekuti vamwe vane miviri midiki, ivo vakuru kwazvo mumakore kana mupfungwa.

A small bird without a tail should not be mistaken for a nestling. For a chisticola to not have a tail does not make it a chicken.

One must not judge another by their outlook. A similar english saying is “don’t judge a book by its cover." Do not judge one's age, ability or values from his physical appearance.

The proverb is based on judgement passed on the basis of of physical outlook. In these three expressions that inform the same, the central point is that a lack of a tail on a particular creature may make it look like something else that it is not and one must not then assume a certain status, thinking or values based purely on the physical realities. Our elders realized that sometime people respect or disrespect someone because of their physical appearance which has little bearing on the morals, values, experience or thinking of the individual. Hence we all have to take time to understand and appreciate further the true nature of the being so that we can appreciate and respect the true nature of the person.

The proverb is used to advise on not passing judgement based purely on physical appearance and warns that all that one sees may not represent the entire truth. The proverb is particularly useful when one judges the age or maturity of someone based on their body or looks, yet their thoughts or values may be deceived by their physical appearance.