Nzombe huru yakabva mukurerwa

Zvinhu zvinoita mukurumbira zvinotanga zviri zvidiki zvichivakwa nekuumbwa zvishoma zvishoma

A big bull is a result of being nurtured.

Great achievements are born out of patient striving and small beginnings.

Anyone who has reared a bull will know that it was once a vulnerable calf that was nurtured patiently. This observation led our ancestors to reflect that all great deeds or people were once small and vulnerable. Meaning that, things may start out small, but as long as they are tendered to and nurtured, they can grow to be significant.

The proverb is used mainly in two ways. The first is to acknowledge the importance of patient small steps that lead to bigger endeavours. Inversely, that means while one may see the big picture (or see big successes) they must understand that there are smaller critical steps to be taken towards that achievement. The second is more in its literal sense where it can be used to remind the "big man" that he is a product of naturing (usually by a woman) by a community and needs to be humble in this regard. In this way it beckons great people to remember their humble beginnings and those that helped them along the journey.