గడ్డపారలు గాలికి కొట్టుకొని పోతుంటే, పుల్లాకు నా గతి ఏమి అన్నదట

gaddaparalu galiki kottukoni potunte, pullaku na gati emi annadata

Translation

When crowbars themselves are being blown away by the wind, a leaf plate asked 'What will happen to me?'

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most powerful entities are suffering or failing, making the concerns of the weak or insignificant seem obvious yet trivial. It highlights a scale of disaster where if the indestructible is perishing, the fragile has no hope.

Related Phrases

When a heavy crowbar is being blown away by the wind, the onion skin asked 'What will happen to me?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most significant entities are suffering or being destroyed, yet a weak or insignificant person is worried about their own minor problems. It highlights a lack of perspective regarding the severity of a disaster.

When elephants are being swept away by the river, a cat supposedly asked for a crossing point.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a trivial or selfish request while others are facing a massive catastrophe. It highlights a lack of perspective or empathy during a major crisis, where a small-minded person is only concerned with their own minor inconvenience.

When the crowbars were blown about by the wind, the leaf- platter said " What is to become of me ?" Pullâku is a cast away leaf-dish which has been once used. A mean person thinking of his own loss when his superiors are suffering.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most powerful entities are facing destruction or failure. In such a context, it is trivial or foolish for someone small or insignificant to worry about their own minor troubles. It highlights a scale of disaster where the small should realize their vulnerability is a given if the mighty are falling.

While the old leaf falls, the new leaf laughs.

This proverb is used to describe the irony of the younger generation mocking or ignoring the elderly's decline, forgetting that they too will eventually age and face the same fate. It highlights the cycle of life and the inevitability of aging.

When heavy iron crowbars are being blown away by the wind, the leaf plate asked 'What about my fate?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most powerful entities are being destroyed or defeated by a massive force. In such a scenario, it is foolish or redundant for someone weak or insignificant to worry about their safety, as their destruction is already a foregone conclusion. It is often used to mock people who express petty concerns during a major catastrophe.

When a heavy crowbar is being blown away by the wind, the onion asked to check on its own roots.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is worrying about a trivial or insignificant matter while a major catastrophe or a massive event is occurring. It highlights a lack of perspective or a failure to understand the gravity of a situation.

After all the great men had been carried away by the flood, the leaf dish said " What is to become of me ?"

This proverb is used to mock someone insignificant who expresses concern about their safety or status during a major catastrophe that is destroying even the most powerful entities. It highlights a lack of self-awareness regarding one's own triviality in the face of a massive crisis.

When great people are under the feet, what is the fate of a leaf plate?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even highly influential or powerful people are suffering or being crushed, implying that common people or those of lower status stand no chance at all. It highlights total chaos or a hierarchy of suffering.

When [someone] is crying because their stomach is burning [from hunger], she asked 'What maintenance/allowance will you give?'.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is suffering from a fundamental or immediate crisis, but someone else offers an irrelevant, future, or secondary solution instead of addressing the urgent need. It highlights the disconnect between a person's basic needs and the superficial help being offered.

When Pôlisetti was asked how he was getting on, he replied "I am in trouble as usual."

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time. It refers to people who are chronic complainers or situations where, no matter when you check in, the problems and grievances remain exactly the same as before.