Meaning
'Maaga cow a bull mumma' — a lean, scrawny cow is still a bull's mother. Do not underestimate or write off the humble and unimpressive, the proverb warns, for greatness can spring from the most modest, meagre-looking beginnings. The poor, thin cow that seems worth nothing may yet be the mother of a mighty bull, and so the small, the overlooked, and the plain should never be despised, since what looks slight today may bring forth something great tomorrow.
Examples
-
Nuh judge di poor pickney; maaga cow a bull mumma.
Don't judge the poor child; greatness can come from humble roots.
-
Dat likkle business a go big one day — maaga cow a bull mumma.
That little business will be big one day — small beginnings, great ends.
-
Him come from nutten but him rise; maaga cow a bull mumma.
He came from nothing but he rose; the humble can produce the mighty.
Origin
A farm image: even a thin, unremarkable cow can be the mother of a powerful bull — humble origins can yield greatness.
How it’s used
A reminder not to look down on the poor or plain, since the humble can give rise to the great.