This proverb highlights the challenge of satisfying a demanding or ungrateful person, often represented by a mother-in-law in Malagasy culture. The phrase ‘giving the raw that doesn’t fit in the pot’ means offering something incomplete or unsatisfactory, while ’leaving the cooked that remains’ refers to neglecting what is already useful or satisfying. In essence, it sheds light on the nature of ingratitude, where what is offered is not appreciated, and what is more valuable is neglected. The English equivalent would be ‘The squeaky wheel gets the grease, while the quiet one gets ignored’.