“A kettle cannot balance itself on one stone; on three, however, it does.”
Ey pûtsh! èk gutur-yá dêh nè quriyein; tré[18] gútúrey á dek quréyn.
Oh son! one stone on a kettle not stops; three stones on a kettle stop.
The Gilgitis instead of “ya” = “upon” say “dja.”
“Gutur” is, I believe, used for a stone [ordinarily “bàtt”] only in the above proverb.
21. THE FROG IN A DILEMMA.
“If I speak, the water will rush against my mouth, and if I keep silent I will die bursting with rage.”
This was said by a frog who was in the water and angry at something that occurred. If he croaked, he would be drowned by the water rushing down his throat, and if he did not croak he would burst with suppressed rage. This saying is often referred to by women when they are angry with their husbands, who may, perhaps, beat them if they say anything. A frog is called “manok.”
- Tós
- Voice
- thèm—to
- I do—if
- áze—jya[19]
- mouth in
- wéy
- water
- bojé;
- will come;
- né them
- not do,
- to py
- then bursting
- muos.
- I will die.