The Meddler's Grief — Samoan Proverb Tee

<p><strong>'Ua fa'anoa fua le matulau i le fa'anoa a gatala.'</strong><br><em>"The matulau share the gatala's grief without reason."</em></p><p>This alagaupu (Samoan proverb) comes from reef life: when the gatala (a reef fish) enters a slow, still, grieving-like state, the matulau fish is often found keeping it company — and the two are frequently caught together. Samoans use this saying as an <em>upu faifai</em>, a gently reproachful expression, aimed at someone who inserts themselves into other people's troubles and sorrows without any real reason to be involved — sharing in grief that was never theirs to carry.