To be pinched for every cowrie, to be in great distress, to be reduced to a beggary.

worth two cowries, worthless

mean or worthless person

worthless, having no real value or use

worthless stuff

worthless, good-for-nothing, cheap

be disgraced

be good-for-nothing, be of no use or worthless

free of charge, valueless

observe the rules

be reduced to abject poverty

chatter, brag, bother much

be humbled, face the music, be set right, come to one's senses

The chain of events

human being

wages for odd days or for a break in work

present a far-fetched idea or argument