291. Si coulev oûlé viv, li pas prouminée grand-chimin. (Si la couleuvre veut vivre, elle ne se promène pas dans le grand chemin).
“If the snake cares to live, it doesn’t journey upon the high-road.”—[Guyana.]
292. Si coulève pas té fonté,[121] femmes sé pouend li fair ribans jipes. (Si la couleuvre n’était pas effrontée, les femmes la prendraient pour en faire des rubans de jupes).
“If the snake wasn’t spunky, women would use it for petticoat strings.”—[Trinidad.]
[121] Fonté (for effronté) has quite an extensive meaning in Creole. It may refer to the impudence of a badly-brought-up child, or to the over-familiarity on the part of an adult; but it may also refer to high spirit, pluck, independence of manner. A colored mother once told me I should be surprised to see how fonté her son had become since he had been going to school. She meant, of course, that the lad was growing “smart,” active, plucky.
293. Si crapaud dîe ous caïman tini mal ziex, coèr-li. (Si le crapaud vous dit que le caïman a mal aux yeux, croyez-le).
“If the frog tells you the alligator has sore eyes, believe him!”[122]—[Trinidad.]
[122] Similarity of habits and of experience is necessary to guarantee the trustworthiness or testimony regarding those we do not know.
294. Si jipon ou k’allé bien, pas chaché mette kilott nhomme ou. (Si votre jupon vous va bien, ne cherchez pas à mettre la culotte de votre mari.)
“If your petticoat fits you well, don’t try to put on your husband’s breeches.”—[Martinique.]