When you mention a snake, have a stick ready in your hand.
More Swahili Proverbs:
To get lost is to learn the way.Swahili
Pleasent words will draw the snake from its hole.
Swahili
A cat belonging to the house is not chased away.
Swahili
A rope parts where it is thinnest.
Swahili
Give a wizard a child to bring up.
Swahili
Fire does not beget fire in the end it begets ashes.
Swahili