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Shona Definition
Hazvina kunaka kungotyira zvinhu kure. Chinhu chose ndechokumboedzwa, zvozoti kana waona chakona woregera.
English Translation
Things have to be attempted — even an old woman once put stones on to boil. Do not shrink from a difficulty before trying it; make your best effort first, and only let go once you have seen it cannot be done.
Cultural Context
“Said to urge someone to give a hard task a real attempt rather than abandoning it out of fear.”
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This is a variant of
Zvinokona zviine hata / chembere ichikoniwa musoro wenzouOnly after she has tried, head-pad and all, does an old woman concede that an elephant's head is beyond her lifting.