Mukuru anotumwa, svosve rakatuma nzou; Svosve wakatuma nzou

Munhu mukuru kana mutungamiri anofanira kuterera zvinorehwa nevanhu vari pasi pake kana zvaanenge achitaurirwa zvacho zvichimuyamura. Tsumo iyi inonyanya kubatsira vabereki kuti vaterere vana.

An elderly or leader can be asked to do something; the ant sent the elephant on errand. The ant sent the elephant on an errand

Necessity may require leaders to listen to those below them as it can redeem a situation. A wise person or a leader listens to other people’s ideas and perspectives regardless of wether such advice is derived from a younger person or from one of lessor stature.

The proverb may actually based on a fable or folklore. The central tenants are that the elephant may seem too big a mammal to listen or be advised by the ant. However due to the size of the elephant, there are things that elephant cannot perceive or address. The ant can actually give the elephant a different perspective and this could even save the elephants life. Another intriguing aspect of the story is that the ant still sent the elephant because the stature of the elephant also meant that only the elephant was able to address the situation once identified. Hence our elders realized that those in positions of stature or leadership can benefit from counsel from those below them or younger than them. As such this means that necessity reverses hierarchies of values and those who can address the challenge better must be given voice to do so.

The proverb is used to encourage those in positions of leadership to listen to their followers because they can learn something useful from them. It can also be used to encourage those who may feel insignificant to share what can be useful to a particular cause regardless of the stature of the leader. It is particularly useful for a relationship where the leader has a role that presumes wisdom such as a parent and child situation.