From the Heritage of Jabal Amel
Compiled by the Oral Folklore Historian Kasem Hejeij
1. "Haste is from the devil"
Story:
It is said that a merchant was always hasty in his decisions, which led to him losing his fortune in a deal because he acted without proper consideration. He learned a harsh lesson when he saw his competitors succeed with patience and planning. From that day on, he kept repeating: "Haste is from the devil," to remind himself of the importance of taking his time.
2. "If you can’t cut off a hand, kiss it and pray for its break"
Story:
A poor man worked for a wealthy and cruel employer. He tried several times to resist his bosss oppression but couldnt confront him due to his influence. The poor man decided to earn the rich man’s trust by being friendly, but secretly, he wished for his downfall. One day, the wealthy man lost his fortune, and the poor man became the powerful one.
3. "From the outside, its all glory, but on the inside, only God knows"
Story:
There was a merchant who always dressed elegantly and pretended to be rich, but in reality, he was drowning in debt. People were fooled by his appearance until they discovered the truth when he failed to pay his dues. The proverb warns against being deceived by appearances.
4. "In a mother’s eyes, the monkey is a gazelle"
Story:
A monkey mother saw her baby as the most beautiful creature in the jungle, despite its funny looks. Other animals mocked her, but she saw him through eyes of love. The proverb expresses how parents see their children as perfect, no matter their flaws.
5. "The rope of lies is short"
Story:
A boy was always lying, claiming to have seen a wolf attacking his village. The villagers rushed to help him multiple times, but they never found anything. When the wolf actually came and the boy cried for help, no one believed him, and he lost his life because of his lies.
6. "People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones"
Story:
A man lived in a glass house but was always criticizing others and talking about their flaws. One day, someone threw a stone at his house, shattering it. The man realized his mistake and stopped judging others.
7. "The bundle came from the wood"
Story:
A poor man used to collect firewood to make a living. One day, he decided to craft tools from the wood instead of selling it raw, and his situation improved significantly. The proverb signifies making the most out of resources.
8. "No bird soars high without eventually falling"
Story:
A bird was always boasting about its ability to fly high. One day, it faced a strong storm, fell to the ground, and got injured. The proverb warns that arrogance leads to downfall.
9. "The oil jug"
Story:
A never-ending story was told about a lost oil jug, with the characters constantly debating about it. The proverb is used to describe matters that are discussed repeatedly without resolution.
10. "Walls have ears"
Story:
A man used to talk loudly about others’ secrets. His words spread through the walls and reached those he spoke about, causing him great trouble. The proverb warns against speaking freely in public places.
11. "One hand alone does not clap"
Story:
A man tried to run a business alone and failed until he decided to involve others. This proverb emphasizes the importance of teamwork in achieving success.
12. "Tall as a palm tree, but with the brain of a goat"
Story:
A person looked strong and dignified but acted foolishly, revealing his lack of intelligence. The proverb describes those who appear capable but are actually naive.
13. "He who eats alone chokes"
Story:
A greedy man used to eat in secret without sharing. One day, he choked on his food. The proverb encourages generosity and sharing.
14. "Only your own nail scratches your skin"
Story:
A man relied on others for help but was constantly disappointed. Eventually, he learned to depend on himself. The proverb emphasizes self-reliance.
15. "Every rooster crows on its own dung heap"
Story:
A rooster believed it ruled the world, but it soon realized that its authority was limited to its own yard. The proverb refers to those who overestimate their importance in their own small environment.
16. "Close the door that brings you the wind, and rest"
Story:
A man suffered from a draft coming through a window, so he decided to shut it permanently. The proverb suggests eliminating sources of discomfort or trouble.
17. "Talking is free"
Story:
A man was full of promises but never fulfilled them. The proverb highlights the emptiness of words without actions.
18. "Hitting water is still water"
Story:
A person kept repeating the same actions with no results. The proverb describes wasted effort.
19. "The dog that bites doesn’t bark"
Story:
It was observed that quiet dogs were more dangerous than those that showed aggression. The proverb warns that the most dangerous people are often the quietest.
20. "Who disappears for a long time brings back treasures"
Story:
A merchant returned after a long journey carrying great wealth. The proverb is used when someone returns after a long absence with good news or success.
These proverbs and stories have been documented as part of the oral folklore of Jabal Amel, compiled by historian Kasem Hejeij to preserve the wisdom of past generations.
