Haitian proverb — Slowly, slowly, the egg will walk.

March 22, 2026Time & Presence
Slowly, slowly, the egg will walk.
Haitian proverb

Traditional Haitian proverb

Daily Reflection

An egg cannot walk. Given time, what emerges from it can. The proverb hides a whole theory of patience inside one strange, cheerful image.

You are not slow. You are early. Keep the conditions right — daily warmth, daily attention — and what looks inert today will one day walk on its own.

Vocabulary & Pronunciation

Words that widen the world

gradually /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ə.li/ adverb

Slowly, over a period of time.

Synonyms: steadily, progressively, little by little

Gradually, the words came easily.

emerge /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/ verb

To come out into view or existence.

Synonyms: appear, surface, arise

Fluency emerged after months.

Understand it

Common questions

It means great things develop with patience — what seems incapable now will grow into ability if given time.

It is a traditional Haitian proverb, so we mark it as attributed.

Make it yours

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In your own words, what does this thought mean to you? Write three or four sentences in English about a moment when it felt true — saying it yourself is how it stays with you.

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