The old Labunishtani knew how to say more with a short and witty sentence than sometimes whole pages can explain. Their sayings were born from life experience, everyday hardships, and careful observation of people. Behind the joke often hid a serious truth, and behind simple words — a deep life lesson.

Adjo Ibrahim was a well-known Labunishtani, respected for his wisdom and the authority he held in the village. He belonged to one of the largest families in the village — raised with six brothers and four sisters. He himself was a father to a large family: he had eleven children, sons and daughters. At that time most of them were still children — small, immature, and unprepared to take on adult burdens.

His friends, when they wanted to emphasize his advantage over others, often told him:

"Oh, you have it easy, Ibrahim! You have so many sons you could form an army. For any task, you can rely on someone of them."

And he, somewhat jokingly, but very sincerely, replied:

"Yes, I have an army of sons, but not for the front."

In this short and witty sentence lies a great life truth. It is not enough for a person to be surrounded only by many close people. For them to become a real support, time, maturity, ability, and readiness to take responsibility are needed.

Adjo Ibrahim had a large family, but his sons at that time were still young. His "army" existed, but was not yet ready "for the front." In his answer there was no underestimation of his own children, but a sober realization that every task and responsibility requires the right time.

"The front" in this saying does not have to mean a real war. It is a symbol for any place where life requires courage, maturity, and sacrifice.

The front is when the family faces trouble. When a hard decision must be made. When someone must stand in defense of the truth. When old parents need care. When the family burden must be taken by someone mature and capable enough to bear it.

You can have many children, relatives, friends, and acquaintances, but true strength is not measured only by their number. It is also measured by their maturity, responsibility, and readiness to be present when most needed.

In easy times, number impresses. But when difficulties come, it shows who is capable of standing forward, taking responsibility, and carrying the weight.

Sometimes a person can have a whole "army" around him, yet for some time must carry the greatest burden alone. Not because others do not love him or do not want to help, but because they have not yet matured, have not been equipped, or their time to stand forward has not come.

This old Labunishtani wisdom reminds us of a common human mistake: we measure strength by quantity, not by maturity and quality.

A large family is a wealth and a blessing. But every member must grow, mature, and learn to take responsibility, to one day become a true support for their parents, family, and community.

It is not most important how many stand behind us, but whether among them is someone ready to stand forward when difficulty comes.

And perhaps the greatest lesson from this saying is not to ask if we have someone "for the front," but to ask ourselves:

Are we mature, brave, and responsible enough to stand forward when our parents, family, friends, and community need us?

Because it is easy to be part of an "army."

But it takes time, upbringing, and maturity for a person to be ready "for the front."

✍️ Jakub Kazimoski,
"The Wisdom of the Old Labunishtani"