Zviururwi zvinofara kana kondo afa ziso.

Definition

zviururwi: crickets

kondo: hammerkop (a medium-sized wading bird)

Translation

Crickets rejoice when the hammerkop loses his eye.

Inspiration

The hammerkop’s diet consists primarily of frogs, tadpoles, small fish, crustaceans, worms, and insects. When fishing, the bird stares into the water with its head angled, searching, looking first with one eye then the other (hence the reference to one eye).

Application

When a superior or someone who is feared is away, the subordinates feel relieved and sometimes take advantage of the circumstances.

Similar Proverbs

1. Nhasi mapuruuru atandavara nokuti kondo dzinonzwa meso.