Mombe yetsiru manhenda waikama

Munhu haafanire kuvimba nechinhu chaasati awana achifunga chichazove chake; anofanira kutanga achiwana kuti azovimba kuti anacho

Milking a heifer in the future is not a certainty

Do not bank on something that you do not yet have expecting to have it or bank on possibilities that have not yet materialized. Simply put do not count your chicks before the eggs hatch

Cattle were the major form of wealth in the African village. They were used for ploughing, for meat at banquets, for roora (marriage gifts and payments), for exchange of favors or payment for wrongs done. Cows also provided the extra option of milk which was consumed both fresh and sour. Hence when one had a heifer it was common to start thinking about the milk that heifer would later produce. However this was a bad expectation because the heifer could be barren or could die before that time comes. Hence the proverb observes the dangers of calculating on milk simply because one can see such a possibility in the heifer.

Many times people get into endeavors that show great promise and potential and begin to make calculations based on that potential. This is very dangerous since anything can happen before that potential happen and it may not materialize thereby compromising their planning. Even business risk requires a certain maturity of the possibilities before one can consider the outcome as secured. This proverb is hence a strong warning and reminder that do not bank on possibilities until they are absolutely certain.