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  What it means

  “When a wolf grows old, even a crow pecks at him.” Even the most powerful or feared person becomes vulnerable in old age or weakness. Those who were once untouchable can be picked on when they lose their strength.

  English equivalent

  Even the mighty fall.

  Vocabulary

  • wilk — wolf
  • zestarzeć się — to grow old
  • skubać — to pluck, to peck at
  • wrona — crow

  Grammar note

  'Skubie go' — 'go' is the accusative of 'on' (him), referring to the wolf. 'Zestarzeje się' is the reflexive perfective future of 'starzeć się'.

  Cultural context

  The wolf is a symbol of strength and danger in Polish folklore. This proverb uses the image of a crow — a scavenger — pecking at a once-fearsome wolf to illustrate how power is relative and temporary.

  Intermediate

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