తనకులేక తంటాలు పడుతుంటే, తొంటికాళ్ళ పిల్లి వెంటపడ్డట్లు.

tanakuleka tantalu padutunte, tontikalla pilli ventapaddatlu.

Translation

While one is struggling for their own survival, being chased by a lame-legged cat.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where a person who is already overwhelmed with their own severe problems is suddenly burdened by another person's petty or additional demands. It is used when someone who can barely help themselves is asked for help by someone else, making a bad situation even more frustrating.

Related Phrases

He followed like Nakshatraka.

This expression is used to describe someone who relentlessly pursues or pester others for something (usually a debt or a task) without giving them any peace. It originates from the story of King Harishchandra, where the disciple Nakshatraka relentlessly follows the king to collect a promised debt.

If burnt, it leaves a scar; if heated/tempered, it becomes soft.

This proverb highlights the difference between harshness and patience. It suggests that reacting with extreme anger (burning) causes permanent damage or scars in relationships, whereas treating a situation with controlled, gentle persistence (tempering/heating) makes things pliable and manageable.

If you tie a halter to a young buffalo or a young girl, they will follow you.

This is a traditional saying used to describe how certain people or animals can be easily led or controlled if given the right incentive or restraint at the right time. It suggests that once a connection or bond (symbolized by the 'palupu' or halter) is established, they will follow along. It is often used in a humorous or colloquial context regarding the behavior of youth.

An over-eager groom followed the wedding guests.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is so impatient or overly excited to achieve a goal that they act foolishly or lose their sense of dignity. It satirizes someone who lacks self-control and behaves inappropriately due to their over-enthusiasm.

When someone is being kicked on the back, they say there is a noise behind the house.

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to hide an obvious humiliation or an insult by pretending it is something else or by attributing it to an external, unrelated cause. It highlights a face-saving act where one attempts to ignore a direct attack or failure by acting oblivious to the reality of the situation.

As if the milk arrived the moment the child was born

This expression is used to describe a situation where a necessary resource or solution becomes available exactly when it is needed, often by natural design or perfect timing. It highlights the providence of nature or a stroke of good luck where preparation meets a new requirement perfectly.

While one's beard was on fire and they were crying, another person chased them for a light for their cigar.

This proverb describes a situation where a person is incredibly insensitive or selfish, seeking a trivial favor from someone who is already in the midst of a major crisis or personal tragedy. It highlights a lack of empathy and the absurdity of prioritizing small needs over someone else's dire situation.

Both are two, and both are sores on the hip.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there are two choices or two people, and both are equally bad, useless, or problematic. It highlights that there is no better option between the two alternatives available.

If you throw a stone on filth, it will splash back on you.

This expression is used to warn against engaging or arguing with low-minded, vulgar, or malicious people. Just as throwing a stone into a pile of dung causes it to splatter on the person who threw it, getting involved with bad people or unnecessary scandals only results in bringing defilement or bad reputation upon oneself.

Besides herself, she has a child, it seems.

This expression is used to mock someone who is already a burden themselves but tries to take on or bring along another responsibility. It highlights the irony of a person who cannot take care of themselves properly yet ends up with an additional dependent or task.