మేకును పెరికిన కోతి వలె
mekunu perikina koti vale
Like the monkey that drew out the wedge. “ ‘ You know the story of the Monkey, don’t you ? ’ [ said Karataka ]. “The Monkey drew the sawyer’s wedge, and died; Let meddlers mark it, and be edited.” ‘ No ! ’ said Damanaka. ‘ How was it ? ‘ In this way,’ answered Karataka :— ‘ In south Behar, close by the retreat of Dhurmma, there was an open plot of ground, upon which a temple was in course of erection, under the management of a man of the Kayeth caste named Subhadatta. A car- penter upon the works had partly sawed through a long beam of wood, and wedged it open, and was gone away, leaving the wedge fixed. Shortly afterwards a large herd of Monkeys came frolicking that way, and one of their number, directed doubtless by the Angel of death, got astride the beam, and grasped the wedge, with his tail and lower parts dangling down between the pieces of the wood. Not content with this, in the mischief natural to monkeys, he began to tug at the wedge; till at last it yielded to a great effort and came out; when the wood closed upon him, and jammed him all fast. So perished the monkey, miserably crushed ; and I say again,— “ Let meddlers mark it and be edited.” ( Arnold's Book of Good Counsels from the Hitopadesa pp. 49, 50.)
This expression describes a situation where someone meddles in affairs they do not understand, resulting in trouble or self-inflicted harm. It originates from a fable where a monkey pulls out a wooden wedge from a split log, only to have its limbs caught when the log snaps shut. It is used to caution against unnecessary interference or curiosity in dangerous matters.
Related Phrases
భంగు తిన్న కోతివలె
bhangu tinna kotivale
Like a monkey that has consumed bhang (cannabis)
This expression is used to describe a person who is acting in an erratic, restless, or uncontrollably hyperactive manner. Just as a monkey is naturally restless, adding an intoxicant like bhang would make its behavior completely unpredictable and wild; hence, it refers to someone behaving in a chaotic or senseless fashion.
కోతి చేతి పామువలె
koti cheti pamuvale
Like a snake in a monkey's paw. Jacko is afraid of it, but won't let it go.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is fickle, irresponsible, or lacks judgment is given control over something dangerous or sensitive. Just as a monkey doesn't know how to handle a snake safely—either hurting itself, the snake, or others by swinging it around—giving power or a delicate task to an incompetent person leads to unpredictable and harmful consequences.
అత్త కొట్టిన కుండ అడుగోటి కుండ, కోడలు కొట్టిన కుండ కొత్త కుండ.
atta kottina kunda adugoti kunda, kodalu kottina kunda kotta kunda.
The pot broken by the mother-in-law was a cracked pot, the pot broken by the daughter-in-law was a new pot.
This proverb highlights double standards and hypocrisy in judgment. It describes a situation where the same mistake is viewed differently depending on who committed it. If someone in a superior position (like a mother-in-law) makes a mistake, it is dismissed as insignificant, but if a subordinate (like a daughter-in-law) makes the same mistake, it is exaggerated and treated as a major offense.
తా చెడ్డ కోతి వనమెల్ల చెరచిందట
ta chedda koti vanamella cherachindata
A spoilt monkey spoiling the whole garden.
This refers to one already spoilt spoiling all the others around. Generally, when one is in bad shape – especially, morally – one would spread one’s vice to others also. Such people should be avoided by all means.
రెక్కలు పెరికిన పిట్ట వలె
rekkalu perikina pitta vale
Like a bird whose wings have been plucked.
This expression describes a state of utter helplessness, powerlessness, or vulnerability. Just as a bird cannot fly or protect itself without its wings, it refers to a person who has lost their primary source of strength, support, or resources, leaving them unable to function or defend themselves.
కొండముచ్చు పెండ్లికి కోతి పేరంటాలు
kondamuchchu pendliki koti perantalu
A monkey is the guest of honor at a langur's wedding.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an incompetent or unworthy person is invited to lead or participate in an event managed by someone equally unsuitable. It highlights a mismatch of standards or a gathering of fools, implying that when the host and the guest are both ridiculous, the outcome will be chaotic or absurd.
కలలో కనుపించిన లంకె బిందెలు రాకపోయినా, పెరికి పెరికి పరుపంతా నీళ్ళచాయ మాత్రం అయింది.
kalalo kanupinchina lanke bindelu rakapoyina, periki periki parupanta nillachaya matram ayindi.
Though the pots of gold seen in the dream didn't arrive, the bed became soaked with water (sweat/urine) from all the digging efforts in the dream.
This proverb describes a situation where a person pursues an imaginary or unrealistic gain, and not only fails to achieve it but also ends up causing actual damage or mess to their current reality. It is used to mock those who waste energy on fantasies only to suffer practical losses.
నిప్పు తొక్కిన కోతి వలె
nippu tokkina koti vale
Like a monkey that stepped on hot embers
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely restless, agitated, or reacting with sudden, frantic movement. It depicts a state of high distress or panicked jumping around, similar to how a monkey would behave if it accidentally stepped on fire.
గొడ్డు కొట్టిన కొయ్యకాలు గొట్టానికి చాలు.
goddu kottina koyyakalu gottaniki chalu.
The wooden leg of a beaten cattle is enough for a tube.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely stingy or a situation where every tiny resource is exploited to the point of exhaustion. It suggests that someone is so greedy or frugal that they would even try to extract use from the remains of a broken tool or a withered limb. It characterizes excessive miserliness.
విత్తులు తీసిన కోడె, ఈకలు పెరికిన కోడి
vittulu tisina kode, ikalu perikina kodi
A castrated bull and a plucked chicken.
This expression refers to someone who has lost their strength, vigor, or natural defenses, rendering them harmless or powerless. Just as a castrated bull loses its aggression and a plucked chicken cannot fly or protect itself, it describes a person who has been stripped of their authority or capability to act.