The literal translation for this proverb could be: “Leave the donkey to beat the load / pack saddle.”

Even though we have many motorcycles in  Haiti,  Haitian people still use animals like donkeys and horses as a way of transportation and  to carry their loads from one place to another. It’s especially common to see the use of such animals for going to the open air markets or to go around on a farm.

However, donkeys are slow. The owners often use a lash to beat or threaten the animal so that it will try to  go quicker. The whip lash is used to touch the animal but sometimes, it touches the load or the pack saddle instead.

Haitian people say this proverb when someone attacks a person that is not in charge instead of the leader, the responsible one. They also say that when someone is frustrated with someone or something  not having anything to do with the cause  of his frustration.

Proverbs 16:32 tells us: “He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.”