Oshin'aka: ... Rendering the ceaseless poetry of the earth.
Picture source: Buzzle.com
'Ụkpara' is the grasshopper and though it leads the outdoors in rendering the ceaseless poetry of the earth, it must be mindful of danger. 'Okpoko' is a predator bird which preys on grasshoppers. However, it would not fly silently, but it makes noise during it's flight.
In the words of the proverb in a paraphrase:- The grasshopper seized by the screeching bird must be deaf -
Every grasshopper ought to hear its approach and burrow into safety before the bird arrives.
The sound it makes is loud enough and only a deaf grasshopper would not hear it; so the Igbo says.
Now a word is enough for the wise, they say. Do take care. You hear?
Contributed By Kelechi Isiodu, Umunjam, Mbieri. for iFaT at ifont@groups .facebook.
Angles and Shades (Explications, Interpretations) Contributed By Uzoma Nwaekpe, Amachi-Nsulu Isialangwa.
[Variants Posted x 5] Agam D. Iheanyi Igwe, Ehime Mbano: Ukpana okpoko gburu, [ditto] Chukwuemeka Umeah: Ukpana okpoko buru, nti chiri ya Bob Oji: Ụkpara Okpoko gburu, nti chiri ya ... Obioma Ofoegbu,Igboukwu, Anambara State: Ukpana okpoko gburu, nti chiri ya Uche Unakalamba: Irette, Owerre: Ụkpala Okpoko gburu, ntị chiri ya.