Vatakadzidzisa kurunga mbeva, vorunga nemwena yadzo

Munhu akaramba achiedza nekudzokorora zvaakadzidziswa anopedzisira ogona kukunda vakamudzidzisa.

Those we taught how to salt the field mice, now salt even the mice’s holes!

One gains expertise from polishing and repeating the skills or knowledge they acquired. A similar english saying is practice makes perfect.

Field mice are hunted and roasted for consumption by various peoples in the southern Africa region. While catching them requires certain expertise, most get to see the mice at the time they are being salted for consumption. However, one who has enjoyed the field mice, would want to learn first how to roast and salt the mice effectively. Once this person is taught and if they would like to gain further knowledge then they will go further to find out how to actually catch the mice. With time and consistent application, they will even become better then the one who taught them, hence they will be considered capable of salting the mice right at the holes in which they reside. With this observation our ancestors saw the value of learners equipping themselves further with practice and applauded the learner who improved on the teacher’s work.

The proverb is used to encourage people to learn through practice and to seek to improve on the knowledge they have gained. It is also used by a teacher/tutor (a person in a similar position) to reflect with pride on the development and improvements of the learner.