A cow gave birth to a fire; she wanted to lick it, but it burned; she wanted to leave it, but she could not because it was her own child.
More Ethiopian Proverbs:
Woman without man is like a field without seed.Ethiopian
Living is worthless for one without a home.
Ethiopian
Try not to get hold of a leopard's tail, but if you do -- don't let go.
Ethiopian
Mock the palm tree only when the date harvest is over.
Ethiopian
What one hopes for is always better than what one has.
Ethiopian
She who does not yet know how to walk cannot climb a ladder.
Ethiopian