«يَا فِي الْخَشَبْ يَا فِي السَّلَبْ»

Trouble, the saying assumes, will land somewhere: it may strike the pack camels, here called 'wood', and kill them, or only snap the cords binding their loads. 'Salab' means these ropes, not plunder. One loss ruins the venture; the other is easily mended.

The point is perspective in the face of misfortune. When harm falls on something cheap and replaceable rather than on what truly matters, the right response is thankfulness that the heavier blow was spared, not grief over the smaller damage.

Suited to moments after a setback when someone wants to reframe a loss as the milder of two possible outcomes, encouraging gratitude or calm rather than complaint. It works as consolation offered to others or as a wry remark about one's own luck.