Tenda muchero wadya zvinogadza moyo
Be thankful for the fruit once you have eaten to your satisfaction
Tsanagudzo
Munhu haafanire kufungidzira nekuronga pamusoro pechimwe chinhu icho chisati chaitika.
What the Words Say
Be thankful for the fruit once you have eaten to your satisfaction
What It Means
One should should not expect all of their hopes to be fulfilled. A similar english proverb is do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
Cultural Context
When fruits ripen it is common to be thankful that there are fruits to eat. However not all the fruits may be edible or tasty hence one must not expect to eat their fill merely because the fruits have ripen. One can only truly be sure when they have actually eaten the fruit to their contentment. With this our elders were passing on the lesson that we should not be hasty to evaluate our assets but wait to ensure they have truly materialized. Often people get very excited when there are signs of success and begin to plan with the full expectation in mind when that period actually requires calm and composure.
How It's Used
The proverb is used to warn that one should not count on something before it actually happens. It is particularly useful if that expectation is used to plan. It can also be used to promote patience and composure at an expectant time.