బాలల తుమ్ము బాలెంత తుమ్ము మంచిది

balala tummu balenta tummu manchidi

Translation

The sneeze of a child and the sneeze of a mother who recently gave birth is good.

Meaning

In Telugu culture, it is traditionally believed that children and postpartum mothers are highly sensitive to their environment; if they sneeze, it is seen as a positive sign of their body reacting naturally or a sign of vitality rather than a bad omen or serious illness. This proverb is used to reassure parents or family members not to worry about minor sneezes in such cases.

Related Phrases

If your words are good, the world will be good to you.

This expression emphasizes that if you speak politely and treat others with respect, the people around you will respond with kindness and support. It is used to teach that one's social environment is often a reflection of their own behavior and speech.

A child's sneeze and a postpartum mother's sneeze are good.

This is a traditional saying used to indicate that certain natural bodily reactions, which might normally be seen as bad omens or signs of illness, are actually signs of health and recovery in specific cases. It suggests that when a child or a woman who has recently given birth sneezes, it is a positive sign that their respiratory system and body are functioning well and clearing out.

A sneeze has a younger brother, and a yawn has an elder brother.

This is a traditional Telugu saying used when someone sneezes or yawns repeatedly. It suggests that these actions rarely occur just once; if you sneeze once, another is likely to follow (the 'younger brother'), and if you yawn, more are soon to come (the 'elder brother').

A sneeze from behind is good for what lies ahead.

In Telugu culture, sneezing is often considered an ill omen when starting a task. However, this specific proverb suggests that if someone sneezes from behind you as you are about to leave or start something, it is actually a positive sign or a good omen for the future success of that endeavor.

Mother is good, but her serving ladle is not.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is inherently kind or well-intentioned, but the resources they provide or the way they allocate things is insufficient or harsh. It specifically refers to how a mother loves her child, but when she uses the ladle (teddu) to serve food, the portions might be small or the discipline might be firm. It is applied to people who are good at heart but stingy or strict in their actions.

Elevated land below a hill and elevated land below a sluice are good.

In traditional agriculture, this proverb highlights the strategic value of specific land locations. Land situated at the foot of a hill (konda) or beneath an irrigation sluice (thumu) that is slightly elevated (meraka) is considered ideal because it benefits from water runoff while avoiding the risk of waterlogging or flooding, ensuring good drainage and crop yield.

Yawning has elder and younger brothers, sneezing has not even a younger brother. Yawning is sympathetic, sneezing is not. A good gaper makes two gapers. (French.)

This proverb is used to describe the contagious nature of certain actions versus the sudden, isolated nature of others. Yawning is socially contagious—when one person yawns, others often follow (the 'brothers'). In contrast, a sneeze is sudden and usually happens alone without triggering others to do the same. It highlights how some behaviors spread through a group while others remain individual.

A sneeze from behind results in a gain ahead.

This is a traditional Telugu superstition or belief. It suggests that if someone sneezes from behind you just as you are about to start a task or leave for work, it is considered a good omen that will lead to success or profit in the upcoming endeavor.

Even if the kudumu (steamed dumpling) is good, the stomach is not good.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where something offered or available is excellent, but the recipient is unable to enjoy or utilize it due to their own limitations, health issues, or lack of capacity. It highlights that the quality of an external object doesn't matter if the internal condition is unfavorable.

No matter how early you wake up, the day always breaks at the acacia pond.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, despite one's best efforts or early start, a particular obstacle or habit consistently causes a delay, leading to the same late result. It highlights the futility of effort when there is a recurring bottleneck or lack of progress.