పిల్లకాయలకూ, పీటకోళ్ళకూ చలి లేదు; వెర్రికాకికి ఏమి తెలుసు వింటిదెబ్బ ఏటు

pillakayalaku, pitakollaku chali ledu; verrikakiki emi telusu vintidebba etu

Translation

Children and stool-legs don't feel the cold; how can a foolish crow know the strike of a bow-string?

Meaning

This expression consists of two observations: first, that children (in their playfulness) and inanimate objects are indifferent to the weather. Second, it highlights that those without experience or intelligence cannot comprehend the severity of a danger or a specific hardship until they face it themselves. It is used to describe ignorance of consequences or lack of empathy for others' struggles.

Related Phrases

Like chickens having wings and palm trees having udders.

This expression is used to describe something that is completely obvious or redundant. Just as it is common knowledge that chickens have wings and palm trees (or ropes/cables in some dialects) lack anatomical parts like udders, it refers to stating the obvious or describing a situation where everything is exactly as expected, often used in a sarcastic tone regarding redundant observations.

A wooden stool's leg and young children do not feel the cold.

This proverb is used to describe how young children are often so active or oblivious to their environment that they don't seem to feel the cold, much like an inanimate object (a stool leg). It is often said by elders when they see kids playing outside in the cold without proper clothing.

What does a pig know of the scent of rosewater?

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the refinement, taste, or intelligence to appreciate something valuable or sophisticated. It suggests that high-quality things are wasted on those who cannot understand their worth, similar to the English expression 'casting pearls before swine.'

Children and the legs of a stool do not feel the cold. To a child all weather is cold.

This expression is used to describe how children are so active and energetic that they don't seem to feel the cold even in winter. Just as the inanimate wooden legs of a stool (peetakoallu) are unaffected by the weather, children playing outdoors often ignore the cold temperature.

Until it hits the head, one knows nothing.

This proverb is used to describe a person who does not understand the severity or consequences of a situation until they personally suffer from it or until the problem becomes unavoidable. It is similar to the English expression 'to learn the hard way.'

Like the wings of fowls, and the flower-stalks of palmyra trees.

This expression is used to describe things that are completely natural, obvious, or inherent to a situation. It points out that certain characteristics are just the way things are, often used to dismiss a silly question or to highlight a self-evident truth.

Domestic fowls make no use of their wings, and the flower-stalk ( spadix ) of the palmyra bears no fruit. Useless possessions.

What does a rustic man know of the fragrance of a screw-pine flower?

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks refinement or aesthetic sense and is therefore unable to appreciate the finer things in life. It is similar to the English expression 'casting pearls before swine.' It suggests that someone uncouth or uneducated cannot understand the value of something delicate, rare, or beautiful.

What does a young crow know about the blow of a slingstone?

This expression is used to describe an inexperienced or young person who talks boldly or dismissively about a danger or hardship they have never personally faced. It suggests that one cannot truly understand the gravity of a situation until they have experienced the consequences firsthand.

What does a young crow know about the blow of a pellet ? Inexperience.

This proverb is used to describe an inexperienced or young person who is unaware of the potential dangers, consequences, or hardships of a situation. It suggests that one only understands the gravity of a threat after experiencing it personally, much like a young bird doesn't fear a hunter's weapon until it is hit.

What does a young crow know about the strike of a stone from a sling?

This expression refers to the ignorance or lack of experience of youth or beginners. It is used when an inexperienced person underestimates a danger or a difficult situation because they haven't faced the consequences yet. It highlights that true understanding comes only through experience.