The tether is what is used to tie an animal. It is said, "The gazelle broke its tether," meaning its rope. This is said to the hunter: if a wild ass escapes and is not caught in the trap, then be content with what you have caught. This proverb is used to describe being satisfied with what is present and disregarding what is absent.
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The closest English equivalents are:
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
This is the closest English proverb to the Arabic one, as it means holding onto what you have instead of chasing what's lost or hoped for.
"Don't cry over spilled milk."
If the focus is on not dwelling on the past.
"There are plenty more where that came from."
This is close in meaning to the existence of alternatives.
"Be content with what you have."
The closest direct equivalent in the spirit of the proverb is:
"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
This is because it combines letting go of attachment to what's absent and being content with what you have.
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