Rusticus in Arborem Ascendens

Rusticus olim in arborem ascendit,

poma quaerens.

Arbor alta est,

et rusticus laboriose in summam arborem ascendit.

Tunc rusticus de arbore delapsus est,

et, graviter laesus, clamat, gemens,

"Adiuva me! Laesus sum!"

Viator forte praeteriens rusticum audit

et accurrit, auxilium offerens.

"Gratias tibi ago," rusticus dicit.

Viator respondet,

"Consilium quoque tibi offero!

Consilio meo usus, numquam de arbore cades."

Rusticus dicit,

“Utinam ante casum meum consilium dedisses! 

Sed proderit tamen etiam in posterum; 

dic igitur.” 

Tum viator dicit, ridens,

"In summam arborem ascendens,

cave

ne velocius terram repetas

quam summitatem."

Fabula docet:

Cunctatio saepe prodest,

et salus est in mora.

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Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 823. Rusticus de Arbore Delapsus, from Camerarius (not in Perry). I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: Going Up a Tree and Coming Down.

from Brant's Aesop