Harry Terhanian.com

jahnjuhn eench eh, vohr jahnjuhn eench beedee uhlah

Literally, this proverb says “what is a fly, and what do you think a fly will become (in the future). The implication is that a fly is insignificant now and it will remain insignificant in the future.

There is a famous story about King Canute the Great (985 or 995 to 1035), who was king of Denmark, England, Norway and parts of Sweden. It is said he commanded his royal throne, the elaborate chair on which he sat, be set by the sea shore. When he ascended the throne, he commanded the tide to halt before it wet his feet and robes. However, the tide continued to rise and wet him
without respecting his royal order.

He jumped up above the tide and said, “Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws”.
He then hung his gold crown on a crucifix, and never wore it again “to the honor of God the almighty King”.

King Canute proved to his immediate courtiers and to all men of all time that earthly kings and rulers are insignificant in comparison to the all mighty God of the creation.

“Can an insignificant fly ever become more than a fly?” is a proverb to remember the noble example of King Canute.

janjuh mee pahn chee, seerduh guh kharnee

A fly is not very important. Yet, it can disturb many people by its
annoying presence. Similarly, one person may upset the mind of many others
by constantly making negative or inappropriate comments and purposely
or inadvertently doing annoying things.