మద్దులు మునిగిపార, వెంపళ్లు తమకెంత బంటియన్నట్లు

maddulu munigipara, vempallu tamakenta bantiyannatlu

Translation

When logs are submerged and floating away, the wild indigo plants asked how deep the water was for them.

Meaning

This proverb is used to mock people who lack self-awareness or overestimate their importance. When even great or powerful things (represented by massive logs) are being swept away by a flood, small and insignificant things (the wild indigo weeds) foolishly wonder if they are tall enough to withstand it or how deep the water is for them personally. It highlights the irony of small people worrying about their status during a catastrophe that has already destroyed the mighty.

Related Phrases

Like corks sinking and stones floating.

This expression describes an unnatural, illogical, or topsy-turvy situation where things happen contrary to their nature. It is used to point out a state of injustice, corruption, or chaos where the deserving are neglected and the unworthy are elevated.

Because the water is up to the knee are we to plunge above the nose ? Because we experience a little difficulty, are we to give way to despair ?

This proverb is used to criticize someone for making a mountain out of a molehill or taking extreme, unnecessary steps for a minor problem. It suggests that just because a small difficulty exists, one shouldn't resort to a solution that causes total self-destruction or overreaction.

If the principal amount is drowned, won't the interest be drowned too?

This proverb is used to illustrate that when the core foundation or the primary source of something is lost or destroyed, the secondary benefits or consequences associated with it will inevitably disappear as well. It is often applied in financial contexts or when discussing the root cause of a failure.

Like using a pole to harvest fruit from a Vempali bush.

This expression is used to describe an act of overkill or using excessive efforts for a trivial task. The Vempali (Wild Indigo) is a very small shrub, so using a long pole (dotlu) to reach its fruit is unnecessary and absurd.

Like heavy boulders floating and light corks sinking

This expression describes an unnatural or chaotic situation where things are happening contrary to their nature or the established order. It is used when merit is ignored while incompetence is rewarded, or when the impossible happens while the obvious fails.

Like saying 'I was invited to Thimmanna's feast'

This expression is used to describe a person who behaves with excessive entitlement or self-importance at an event just because they were invited. It highlights the irony of someone acting like they are the guest of honor or the owner of the place when they are just one of many invitees.

Like corks sinking and stones floating.

This expression describes a situation where the natural order of things is reversed, or where something completely illogical and impossible is happening. It is often used to refer to a state of chaos, injustice, or a scenario where incompetent people succeed while capable ones fail.

Bullets floating, Bendu sinking.

This expression is used to describe a topsy-turvy situation where things are happening contrary to their natural order or common sense. It refers to a scenario where heavy, solid things (boulders) are treated lightly or succeed, while light, buoyant things (corks) fail or are suppressed. It is often used to critique injustice, poor management, or illogical outcomes in society.

Bendu is the Eschynomene Indica from which pith hats, models, &c. are made. The order of nature reversed. * El abad de Bamba, lo que no puede comer, dalo por su alma,

If the water is head-deep for a palm tree, how deep is it for a small shrub?

This proverb is used to illustrate relative scale and consequences. If a giant or a very strong person/entity is struggling or overwhelmed by a situation, a small or weak person would be completely submerged or destroyed by it. It highlights that if a great obstacle affects the mighty, it will surely be insurmountable for the small.

Like placing a ladder against a Vempali plant.

The Vempali (Wild Indigo) is a very small, thin shrub that grows only a few feet high. Placing a ladder against it is absurd and impossible. This proverb is used to describe someone attempting a completely unnecessary or disproportionately large effort for a tiny task, or trying to do something that is logically impossible due to the nature of the object involved.