This proverb emphasizes the importance of respect and gratitude towards one’s parents. It conveys the idea that if a child fails to show respect or appreciation for their parents, it might be beneficial to have another child to teach the original one what is expected of them. In other words, it is a metaphor suggesting that an ungrateful child should learn the value of their parents by observing how another child behaves or might behave in a more respectful and appreciative manner. The equivalent English proverb could be: ‘Honor thy father and mother, or learn from another’.